Biological Psychology: Brain Structures, Neurotransmitters, and Nervous System Functions

biological psychologist

advanced tech to study the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) processes

neuroplasticity

reorganize itself by forming new neural connections and pathways

cultural neuroscientists

experience of other cultures can create distinct behavior and brain activation

neuron

nerve cell

dendrite

branch extension

axon

pass through with impulses toward cell body

myelin sheath

encase axon, transmission speed

glial cells

support, nourish, protect neurons

all-or-none response

strong stimulus = more neurons firing

Synapse

meeting point between neurons

reuptake

excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed

GABA

inhibitory neurotransmitter

Dopamine

influence movement, learning, attention, emotion

Norepinephrine

control alertness and arousal

nervous system

central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral

peripheral nervous system

autonomic (controls self-regulated action of a gland) and somatic

sympathetic nervous system

pupils dilate, heartbeat increases, digestion stops, glucose release, bladder relaxes

parasympathetic nervous system

pupils contract, heartbeat slows, digestion occurs, bladder contracts, bile release

sensory neurons

carry info from body tissue to brain

motor neurons

carry info from brain to muscle

interneurons

communicate internally and process info

endocrine system

2nd site for communication

EEG

electroencephalogram - record brain waves

MEG

magnetoencephalography - brain imaging

PET

positron emission tomography - show brain activity through use of glucose

MRI

show brain anatomy

fMRI

show blood flow

hindbrain

essential survival functions

midbrain

control movement and transmit info (sight, hearing)

forebrain

complex cognitive activities, sensory & associative functions

brainstem

innermost region of the brain

thalamus

receive all info (except smell)

cerebellum

enables nonverbal learning & skill memory

pons

voluntary movement

limbic system

emotion and drive

amygdala

enables aggression and fear

hypothalamus

regulate hunger, thirst, body temp, & sexual behavior

hippocampus

process conscious, explicit memory

cerebrum

enables our perceiving, thinking, speaking

motor cortex

frontal lobe control movement

somatosensory cortex

registers & processes body touch and movement sensations

association areas

involved in high mental functions

neurogenesis

formation of new neurons

split brain

surgery separating 2 brain halves by cutting the fibers

right brain

creative, emotional, non-verbal

left brain

logical, verbal, analytical, factual