Axia College Material

Appendix C Brain Response of Behavior

BEH 225

Part I
Note: Parts II and III follow below, complete all three. Run Multimedias 2.3 and 2.4 o o o o o Go to the Web site www.prenhall.com/morris. Click text: Psychology: An Introduction (12th ed.) Click 2 on the select a chapter tool bar. Click Live!Psych on the left hand menu. Select 2.3 and 2.4.

Write a 350- to 700-word response to the following: Explain the communication process of neurons in the brain. List some common neurotransmitters and describe their effect on behavior.

Neurons function is to propel and obtain messages or information. The sending neurons are referred to as the presynaptic neuron whilst the receiving neuron is referred to as the postsynaptic neuron. A message sent from the presynaptic neuron travels throughout the axon, occasionally encapsulated by myelin, which supplies insulation for the axon in addition to escalating the velocity of the message, information, or inclination. Throughout the axon, the message or information reaches the terminal buttons, which discharge neurotransmitters housed in synaptic vesicles. Neurotransmitters, which serve as chemical messengers, are discharged into the space between the neurons referred to as the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters cross the synaptic space and shortly merge with receptors of the receiving or postsynaptic neuron. The neurotransmitter and the receptors should have similar shape and dimensions for the message to be transmitted. Once the message has been transmitted, neurotransmitters disengage from the receptor. From at this point, the neurotransmitter could be reabsorbed into the axon terminals, recycled to make new neurotransmitters, or disposed from the body. .

BEH 225

Acetylcholine:

Controls arousal, attention, memory, motivation, and movement. Excess: Lack of: Leads to spasms and tremors. Leads to paralysis or torpor.

Dopamine:

Controls behaviors, emotions, and nerve impulses. There are two primary dopamine receptors, stimulatory and inhibitory. Excess: Leads to mental disorders, such as Schizophrenia, characterized by abnormal thoughts, images, and actions. Lack of: Causes involuntary muscle spasms.

Serotonin:

Regulates sleep, dreaming, mood, eating, pain, and aggressive behavior. Lack of: Leads to high anxiety and impulsive behavior, often resulting in depression.

Endorphins:

Resistance to pain, usually during strenuous activity.

Sources:
Maisto, A. A., Morris, C. G. (2005). Psychology An Introduction. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

BEH 225

Part II
Refer to Ch. 2 (pp. 58-78) In Psychology: An Introduction. Write a 350- to 700-word response identifying the major regions of the brain and what functions of behavior the systems of each region control.

There are three main sections to the brain, the central core, the limbic system, and the cerebrum. Starting with the central core, this is where the spinal cord enters the skull. In the central core are the medulla, pons, cerebellum, midbrain, thalamus, and hypothalamus. The medulla is adjacent to the spinal cord and normalizes inhalation, respiration, heart rate and blood pressure. Pons, positioned close to the medulla, manufacture and discharge chemicals to aid control and preserve the sleep-wake cycle. The cerebellum is situated at the top and back of the brain stem. The cerebellum adjusts reflexes and balance as well at synchronizing activities. Injury to the cerebellum will cause dilemmas with movement and balance. The midbrain is positioned above the cerebellum. The midbrain lends a hand in audible range, vision, and hurt. The thalamus serves as the sensory relay center where it relays and translates incoming messages from most sense receptors. Directly below the thalamus is the hypothalamus, which manages poignant conduct and stimulus. The limbic system is to be found between the central core and the cerebral hemispheres and plays a key position in modifying stress and incorporating the motion of the nervous system. In the limbic system is the hippocampus, which assists in the configuration of innovative recollections. Damage to this fraction of the brain will leave the individual incapable of recalling events after the harm. The amygdale is as well positioned in the limbic system. Collectively, these two parts of the brain administer sentiments, primarily emotions correlated to self-preservation.

BEH 225

The cerebrum is the biggest component of the brain connected with elevated brain function, such as contemplation and action. The cerebral cortex is divided into four sections, referred to as lobes, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and frontal lobe. The occipital lobes occupation is to collect and process visual information. The temporal lobe is linked with observation and identification of language, balance and equilibrium, emotion, motivation, smelling senses, and hearing senses. The parietal lobe is allied with progression and acknowledgment aptitudes. The frontal lobe harmonizes messages from additional lobes in addition to being connected with analysis, development, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving. The manifestation of the cerebral cortex is highly furrowed, which makes the brain more competent by escalating the surface area, which in turn enhances the number of neurons within the brain. Discovering Psychology (2001) each hemisphere includes four lobes, which have its specific function: Frontal lobe-behavioral activities such as decision making, setting goals, and planning Parietal lobe-supports concentration and language understanding, visual, sensory and spatial orientation Occipital lobe- process visual information received to temporal and parietal lobes. Temporal lobe-identifies visual and auditory information, assists in language comprehension, smell and balance processes.

Sources:

BEH 225

Maisto, A. A., Morris, C. G. (2005). Psychology An Introduction. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

BEH 225

Part III
Consider the following chain of events. Describe in 350-700 words the sensory process that takes place as the scenario unfolds.

Sensory processing is the aptitude to deduce the information the brain has acknowledged. The depiction above is a representation of the sensory system which as a part of the nervous system being in the action of processing sensory information. The

BEH 225

accessible fields are the auditory, visual, and tactile systems that collect peripheral stimuli from the milieu, which are exchanged by sensory neurons into inner electrical inclinations. Within the sensory processes are involved sensory receptor, neural pathway, and the part of the brain. All information comes to us through human senses. As Morris and Maisto (2002) affirm, although each sense has its own structure, there are fundamental principles that are relevant to all. A number of peripheral procedures such as visions, resonances, and contact manufacture sensory signals that provide as stimuli to the receptor cell of a sense organ. Signals, which are good to be recognized, are .additional sent in conjunction with the sensory nerves to the part of the brain called cerebral cortex. An extraordinary association between receptor cells and neural pathways concentrated on for a specific sense is the foundation of how the brain differentiates between diverse kinds of sensations. This can be recognized only when signals get to the cerebral cortex.

The web site for Sensory Systems (2002) presents an awesome delineates of the main sensory systems listed beneath: Auditory Systems sense organ is the ear. Through the outer and middle ear, the sound is transmitted to the inner ear where nerve impulses are created and transmitted via the acoustovestibular nerve to the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei in the medulla (Sensory Systems, 2002, para. 1). Then the signal passes some other parts of the ear and reaching the thalamus, is transmitted to the auditory cortex situated in the temporal cortex.

BEH 225

Visual System is the sensory system with the eye as a sensory organ. External stimuli such as lights enter the eye through the pupil, and then through the lens it moves to retina situated at the back of the eye. The retina contains the sensory cells, rods, and cones. Via the optic nerves the impulse reaches the optic chiasm, where the optic tract is shaped which in turn projects to the geniculate nucleus. From the geniculate nucleus, the neurons are sent to the visual cortex situated in the occipital lobe.

Tactile System or the Skin senses is obtained trough touching processes such as shaking hands, hugging, and many others. The nerve fibers from all these receptors travel to the brain by two routes. Some information goes through the medulla and the thalamus and from there to the sensory cortex in the parietal lobe of the brainwhich is presumably where our experiences of touch arise (Morris & Maisto, 2002, p. 121).

BEH 225

References Discovering Psychology (2001). The Human Brain. Retrieved April 25, 2010 from http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/brain/central.html

Sensory Systems (2002). Retrieved April 25, 2010 from http://pathology.mc.duke.edu/neuropath/nawr/sensory.html

BEH 225