BIOPSYCHOLOGY

What is biopsychology?

speciality in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and the environment

Cell

basic, structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms

Neuron

cell that carries messages btwn brain and other parts of the body

Axon

part of the neuron that transfers a nerve impulse from the nerve cell body to a synapse with another cell

Dendrites (dendrons)

branched projections of a neuron that acts to spread the electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body (soma)

Synapse

place where signal passes from one nerve cell to another

Communication process of the brain:

1. axon transfers a nerve impulse from the nerve cell body to a synapse with another cell

2. dendrites (dendrons) spread electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body (soma)

3. signal passes from one nerve cell to another in synapse

4. ends with neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers responsible for behavior, emotions, and mental illnesses

Serotonin and norepinephirne’s role in depression

Low levels in the brain leas to depression

Dopamine

related to controlled movement, emotional responses, and ability to experience pleasure and pain

Dopamine’s role in schizophrenia

too much in brain can be related

Dopamine’s role in addictions

too little in the brain can be related

Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA)

inhibits neurotransmitter firing and contributes to motor control and vision

What does GABA facilitate?

sleep

Lack of GABA contributes to what?

insomnia; can also lead to anxiety disorder

Endocrine system

glands release hormones, propeling body organs into action (brain sends signals)

Cortisol

related to stress response system (fight or flight)

Why does cortisol release involuntarily?

because of repeated fight or flight response activated

Cerebellum

regulates coordinated movement

Limbic system

deals with emotions, motives, and motivational behavior

Cerebrum

deals with logic, reason, complex thoughts; largest part of the brain

Thalamus

processes our senses (see, touch, taste, and hear; NO SMELL)

Pons

helps regulate sleep cycle

Medulla

breathing and digestion

Brain stem

communication highway; sends signals to and from brain and body

Hypothalamus

blood-testing lab; constantly monitoring blood to determine condition of body

Which part of the limbic system is the command center and responsible for the stress response reaction?

hypothalamus

Amygdala

involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and agression

Stress response system

1. amygdala is activated (fight or flight)

2. amygdala sends signals to hypothalamus (activated nervous system)

3. hormones like cortisol are released, brain sends signals to the body

Sympathetic in nervous system

gas pedal

Parasympathetic in nervous system

brake, relax state; activated when sleeping or eating

Hippocampus

establishing long-term memory

Cerebral cortex

thin gray matter covering cerebrum; carries on thinking and perceiving

Corpus callosum

brain connected by it; connects left and right hemisphere

Left Hemisphere

verbal and language abilities; positive emotion

Right Hemisphere

Music ability, artistic, and emotional expression; negative emotion

Frontal Lobes

movement and thinking

Parietal Lobes

touch sensation and spatial relationships

Occipital Lobes

visual cortex

Temporal Lobes

process sound, including speech