BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

What are the 3 types of neurons in the nervous system?

- motor (efferent)

- interneurons

- sensory (afferent)

Parasympathetic Branch

autonomic system is focused on "rest-and-digest" responses

Sympathetic Branch

autonomic system is focused on "fight-or-flight" responses

Parasympathetic System

- constricts pupils

- stimulates flow of saliva

- constricts bronchi

- slows heartbeat

- stimulates peristalsis and secretion

- stimulates bile release

- contracts bladder

Sympathetic System

- dilates pupils

- inhibits salivation

- relaxes bronchi

- accelerates heartbeat

- piloerection or sweating

- inhibits peristalsis and secretion

- stimulates glucose production and release

- secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline

- inhibits bladder contraction

- stimulates orgasm

Hindbrain

contains the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and reticular formation

Midbrain

contains the inferior and superior colliculi

Forebrain

contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, limbic system, and cerebral cortex

Thalamus

relay station for sensory information

Hypothalamus

maintains homeostasis and integrates with the endocrine system through hypophyseal portal system that connects it to the anterior pituitary

Basal ganglia

smoothens movements and helps maintain postural stability

Limbic system

controls emotion and memory

What does the limbic system includes?

- septal nuclei

- amygdala

- hippocampus

- fornix

Septal nuclei

pleasure seeking

Amygdala

fear and aggression

Hippocampus

memory formation

Fornix

communication within limbic system

What are the 4 lobes of cerebral cortex?

frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

What is the function of the frontal lobe?

- executive function

- impulse control

- long-term planning

- motor function

- speech production

Prefrontal cortex

long-term planning

Primary motor cortex

motor function

Broca's area

speech production

What is the function of parietal lobe?

- sensation of touch, pressure, temp, and pain

- spatial processing, orientation, and manipulation

Somatosensory cortex

- sensation of touch

- pressure

- temp

- pain

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

visual processing

What is the function of the temporal lobe?

- sound processing

- speech perception

- memory

- emotion

Auditory cortex

sound processing

Wernicke's area

speech perception

Limbic system

memory and emotion

Where is the frontal lobe located?

front of brain

Where is the temporal lobe located?

bottom of brain

Where is the parietal lobe located?

behind the frontal lobe, top of head

Where is the occipital lobe located?

back of brain

Where is the primary motor cortex located?

precentral gyrus of frontal lobe

What are the methods of mapping the brain?

EEG, rCBF, CT, PET, MRI, fMRI

What are the types of neurotransmitter?

- acetylcholine

- epinephrine & norepinephrine

- dopamine

- serotonin

- GABA, glycine

- glutamate

- endorphins

What does the neurotransmitter acetylcholine do?

- voluntary muscle control

- parasympathetic nervous system

- attention

- alertness

What does the neurotransmitter epinephrine & norepinephrine do?

- fight-or-flight responses

- wakefulness

- alertness

What does the neurotransmitter dopamine do?

- smooth movements

- postural stability

What does the neurotransmitter serotonin do?

- mood

- sleep

- eating

- dreaming

What does the neurotransmitter GABA, glycine do?

brain "stabilization"

What does the neurotransmitter glutamate do?

brain "excitation"

What does the neurotransmitter endorphins do?

natural painkillers

Nature vs. Nurture

a debate whether genetics and environment is responsible for individual's traits

Nature

genetics

Nuture

environment

What are used to study nature vs nurture?

family, twin, and adoption studies