Biological Psychology

Outline
1. The nervous system
2. The neuron
3. The brain

1. The Nervous System

Organization of the Nervous System

1. Central nervous system (CNS)
a. Brain
b. Spinal cord

2. Peripheral nervous system

a. Somatic nervous system
b. Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
i. Sympathetic Arouses body, emergency system
ii. Parasympathetic Quiets body; most active
after an emotional event

2. The Neuron

Neuron
Neuron ( ): an individual nerve cell that helps in receiving,
processing, and transmitting information.
Parts of a neuron:
Soma ( ): the main body of a neuron
Dendrites ( ): neuron fibers that receive incoming messages
Axon ( ): fiber that carries information away from the cell
body of a neuron
Axon Terminal: bulb-shaped structures at the ends of axons
that form
synapses with the dendrites and somas of other neurons
Other components:
Glial cell ( ): protection of neuron, nourishment repair,
forming myelin sheath
Myelin

sheath ( ): A fatty layer coating some axons

Neuron

The Action Potential

Resting potential: the electrical charge of
an inactive neuron
Stimulation causes cell membrane to open
briefly
Positively charged ions flow in
Shift in electrical charge travels along neuron
The Action Potential: a nerve impulse
All or none law: the nerve impulse
occurs completely or not at all

Neural Communication:
synapses and neurotransmitters
Synapse: a microscopic space between two
neurons, over which neurotransmitters pass
Neurotransmitters: chemical messengers
released by a neuron that changes activity
in other neurons
Receptor cites: areas on the surface of
neurons and other cells that are sensitive to
neurotransmitters or hormones

1. Synthesis
and storage of
neurotransmitt
er molecules in
synaptic
vesicles
2. Release of
neurotransmitt
er molecules
into synaptic
cleft

5. Reuptake of
neurotransmitters
sponged up by the
presynaptic neuron

4. Inactivation
(by enzymes)
or removal
(drifting away)
of
neurotransmitt
ers
3. Binding of
neurotransmitt
ers at receptor
sites on
postsynaptic
membrane

Figure 3.4 Overview of synaptic transmission

When a Neurotransmitter Binds

When a neurotransmitter binds with the

receptor site, it may send either an excitatory
or inhibitory message to the next neuron

Excitatory message increases the likelihood of

firing while inhibitory message decreases the
likelihood of firing of the postsynaptic neuron

One neuron receives signals from thousands of

other neurons; whether a neuron fires or not
depends on the amount of excitatory and
inhibitory messages that it receives from other
neurons

NeuroMain
Characteristics and
transmitte mode of
Relations to Behavior
r
action

Disorders
Associated
with
Dysregulati
on

Excitator
y
Acetylcholin
neuroe
transmitt
er

Contributes to the regulation

of movement, autonomic
function, learning, and
memory

Deficiency
may lead to
Alzheimers
disease

Serves as a widely
distributed inhibitory
transmitter, contributing to
regulation of mood

Deficiency
may lead to
anxiety
disorders

GABA

Glutamate

Inhibitor
y
neurotransmitt
er
Excitator
y
neurotransmitt
er

Serves as widely distributed

excitatory transmitter;
involved in learning and
memory

Excess may
lead to
neuron death
and autism;
deficiency
may lead to

NeuroMain
Characteristics and
transmitte mode of
Relations to Behavior
r
action

Dopamine

Excitator
y
Involves in motivation,
neuroreward, planning of
transmitt behavior
er

Disorders
Associated with
Dysregulation
Deficiency may
lead to
Parkinsons
disease, reduced
feeling of
pleasure; excess
may lead to
schizophrenia

Inhibitory
Serotonin

neurotransmitt
er

Involves in mood,
appetite, and sleep

Excitator
y
Involves in arousal,
Norepinephri
neurone
vigilance, and mood
transmitt
er

Deficiency may
lead to depression
or anxiety

Excess may lead

to anxiety

3. The Brain

Studying the Brain: Research

Methods
Electroencephalography (EEG)

Brain damage studies/ lesioning

o Electrical stimulation of the brain

(ESB)
o Transcranial magnetic stimulation
(TMS)
o Brain imaging:

Computerized tomographic (CT) scan

Positron emission tomography

(PET)

The Cerebral cortex:

Two Hemispheres, Four Lobes
Cerebral cortex: the outer layer of the brain,
composed of cerebral hemispheres two
specialized halves connected by the corpus
callosum
Cerebral hemispheres:
Left-hemisphere language (speaking,
writing, and understanding); math; judging time
and rhythm; coordinating complex movement
Right-hemisphere nonverbal and perceptual
skills; recognition of patterns; spatial skills

Split Brains
Corpus callosum is cut; done to
control severe epilepsy [seizure
disorder ( )]
After the cut, the person now has two
brains in one body each
hemisphere has its own separate
perceptions, concepts, and impulses
to act

The Cerebral cortex:

Two Hemispheres, Four Lobes
Four Lobes:
Frontal lobe ( ): areas of the cortex
associated with movement (primary motor cortex),
the sense of self and higher mental functions
(prefrontal cortex)
Parietal lobe ( ): areas of the cortex that
include the sites in which body sensations register
(primary somatosensory cortex)
Temporal lobe ( ): areas of the cortex that
include the sites where hearing registers in the
brain (primary auditory cortex)
Occipital lobe ( ): portion of the cerebral
cortex in which vision registers in the brain
(primary visual cortex)

Lobes of the cerebral cortex

Primar
y
Motor
Cortex

Primary
Somatosens
ory
Cortex

The Subcortex
Subcortex: all brain structures below the
cerebral cortex
1.Hindbrain (or brainstem)
Medulla
Pons
Cerebellum
Reticular formation

The Subcortex
2. Midbrain conduction and switching center
3. Forebrain
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
The limbic system
Amygdala: a part of the limbic system
associated with fear responses
Hippocampus: a part of the limbic system
associated with storing memories

(Refer to the last page of notes for the

main structures of the human brain
and their most important features)

Brocas area:
Related to
grammar and
pronunciation
/speech
production, on
the left side of
frontal lobe
If damaged,
Brocas area
person knows
what s/he
Wernickes area
wants to say
but cant say
the words

Wernickes
area:
Related to
language
comprehension,
in left temporal
lobe
If damaged,
person has
problems
with
meanings of

Plasticity of the brain

The brain is more plastic or malleable
than widely assumed
Aspects of experience can sculpt features of
brain structure
Damage to incoming sensory pathways or
tissue can lead to neural reorganization

Adult brain can generate new neurons neurogenesis

The Endocrine System: Glands &

Hormones
Hormones chemical messengers in the
bloodstream
Endocrine glands

Pituitary master gland, growth hormone

Thyroid metabolic rate
Adrenal salt and carbohydrate metabolism
Pancreas sugar metabolism
Gonads sex hormones

Cerebral Cortex
Voluntary movements;
sensations, learning,
remembering,
thinking, emotion,
consciousness
Hypothalamus
Control of hunger,
thirst, temperature,
and other visceral and
bodily functions

Pons
Contributes to the
general level of
wakefulness

Medulla
Centers for control
over breathing,
swallowing, digestion,
heart rate

Corpus Callosum
Band of fibers
connecting the two
hemispheres
Thalamus
Relay station to cortex
for sensory
information
Midbrain
Conduction and
switching center
Cerebellum
Muscle tone; body
balance;
Coordination of skilled
movement
Reticular Formation
Arousal; attention;
Movement; reflexes
Spinal Cord
Conduction paths for
motor and sensory
impulses; local
reflexes (reflex arc)