biopsychology pt. 3

thalamus

• relay center of the brain (not smell)

• senses → thalamus → rest of brain

limbic system

• emotional response, memory, learning (positive/negative)

• three parts: amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus

amygdala

• emotional experience & states

• tying emotions to memory

• processing fear

hippocampus

• associated with spatial memory & learning

hypothalamus

• emotion into bodily response

• regulate homeostatic processes (body temp, appetite, pressure)

midbrain

• movement, alertness, reward, dopamine

• ventral tegmental area & substantia nigra

• dopamine processed in basal ganglia

ventral tegmental area & substantia nigra

• where dopamine is produced

• associated with mood, reward, & addiction (VTA)

• control of movement (SN)

reticular formation

• regulating sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, motor activity

hindbrain

• life support functions

• medulla oblongata, pons, cerebellum

medulla oblongata

• control automated processes like breathing, BP and HR

pons

• connect to brain & spinal cord

• regulates sleep, alertness, reflexes

cerebellum

balance, complex movement, motor learning, some types of memory

range of reaction

genes set the boundaries, where we fall depends on enviornment we’re in