AICE PSYCH AS BIO APPROACH

Central Nervous System (CNS)

• Consists of the brain and the spinal cord

• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is a liquid similar to blood serum found in the ventricles of the brain and in the central canal of the spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• This includes sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

• It sends sensory input to the brain and relays commands from the brain to muscles

• Nerves - neural cables containing many axons which connect the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs

Reflex Arc

•  Sensory neurons- carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the CNS

• Interneurons- located within the CNS, these neurons internally communicate & intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

• Motor neurons- the neurons that carry outgoing

  messages from the CNS to the muscles and glands

Synapse

Motor neurons- the neurons that carry outgoing

messages from the CNS to the muscles and glands

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that transverse the synaptic gaps between neurons. They create or inhibit the receiving neuron from generating a neural impulse

Serotonin

helps control mood, sleep, and appetite.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, learning, and movement. Higher or lower dopamine levels can influence behaviors and psychological disorders.

Epinephrine

hormone and neurotransmitter released during stress that prepares the body for the fight-or-flight response by increasing heart rate, breathing, and energy.

Norepinephrine

neurotransmitter and hormone involved in alertness, arousal, and the body’s stress response.

Endorphins

neurotransmitters that reduce pain and produce feelings of pleasure or well-being.

Reuptake

process in which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed back into the presynaptic neuron after they have sent their message across the synapse.

Sympathetic nervous system

The division of the ANS that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations

Parasympathetic nervous system

division of the ANS that calms the body, conserving its energy

Brain lesion

• naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

• EX: a person who naturally has a cancerous tumour that impacts a part of the brain 

• commonly used to determine the impact on brain functioning

EEG

• An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface

• These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

• Such as D and K study on sleep and dreams

CT/CAT Scan

A series of x-ray photos taken from

different angles and combined by a

computer into a composite representation

of a slice through the brain or body

PET Scan

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a

radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain

performs a given task

MRI

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

• *Nice, clear image of structures within the

brain (used for other parts of body as well,

like spine)

• A technique that uses magnetic fields and

radio waves to produce computer-generated

images that distinguish between different

types of soft tissue

fMRI (Functional MRI)

fMRI (Functional MRI)

• *Similar to the MRI, but pictures reveal when

different parts of the brain are activated & work

together

• For example, how different parts of the brain are

activated when having a conversation

Function of gray matter

processes information in the brain by controlling thinking, memory, movement, and sensory functions.

Function of White Matter

carries messages between different parts of the brain so they can communicate quickly.

Medulla oblongata

Controls heartbeat and breathing

Thalamus

• the brain’s sensory switchboard- It directs messages to the sensory receiving areas of the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

• located in both hemispheres resembling twin avocados

Cerebellum

• It helps to coordinate voluntary movement and balance

• the “little brain” attached to the rear of the brain stem

Amygdala

• Two almond shaped neural clusters (one for each hemisphere)

• Mainly responsible for emotions

Hippocampus

• Is linked with forming new memories

• Lies between the thalamus and the cerebral cortex

• From the Latin word meaning seahorse

Hypothalamus

• It directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking and body temp)

• It helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and it is linked to emotion

•  A neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus.

Frontal lobe

• The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead 

• Involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments 

• The motor cortex- an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movement 

• Prefrontal cortex receives sensory information from all senses

Phineas Gage

railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury to his frontal lobe, which changed his personality and helped psychologists learn how the brain affects behavior.

Occipital lobe

• The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head;

• Includes the visual areas which receive visual information from the opposite visual field

• cortical blindness is a specific type of blindness due to brain damage

Parietal lobes

• Specializes in processing body information such as touch and body location

• The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear

Temporal lobes

• The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears;

• Includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear.

• One of the key areas of speech known as Wernicke’s Area is located in this lobe

Hemispherectomy

surgery in which one half of the brain is removed or disconnected to stop severe seizures.

Alpha Waves

slow brain waves that appear when a person is relaxed but awake

Beta Waves

fast brain waves that appear when a person is alert, focused, and actively thinking.

Delta Waves

very slow brain waves that occur during deep sleep

Sleep Spindles

short bursts of rapid brain activity that happen during light sleep and help with memory and learning.

REM & NREM sleep

REM sleep is a sleep stage where the brain is very active, most dreaming occurs, and the eyes move rapidly.

NREM sleep is a sleep stage where the body is calm, brain activity is slower, and there is little to no dreaming.

Hypnagogic consciousness

dreamy, half-awake state you experience as you are falling asleep.

Activation synthesis model

dreams happen because the brain tries to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.

Memory consolidation theory

sleep helps strengthen and organize memories so they are easier to remember later.

Reprogramming theory

aging happens because cells start following genetic instructions incorrectly, causing their functions to break down over time.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) in

females

genetic condition that causes the adrenal glands to produce too many male hormones, which can affect genital development and behavior.

Mindfulness meditation

technique where you focus on the present moment with calm, non-judgmental awareness.