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Department of Psychology, Benue State University

  • Course: Psy 204, Physiological Psychology

  • Date: February 6, 2025

The Animal Cell

  • Definition: The cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of living organisms.

  • Functionality: Capable of basic life processes such as:

    • Taking in materials

    • Expelling waste

    • Reproducing

  • Organism Types:

    • Unicellular organisms (e.g., bacteria, yeast)

    • Multicellular organisms (e.g., mammals)

  • Cell Count in Humans: Estimated at 100 trillion cells (10^14).

  • Levels of Organization: Organisms are structured from cells to tissues, organs, and systems.

  • Importance in Study: Investigating the cellular makeup is crucial for understanding biological systems.

Key Structures in Animal Cells

  • Cell Membrane

  • Nucleus

  • Mitochondria

  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

    • Rough ER (with ribosomes)

    • Smooth ER (without ribosomes)

  • Golgi Apparatus

  • Lysosomes

  • Centrioles and Microtubules

  • Cytoplasm

  • Ribosomes

Brain Disorders

Types of Brain Disorders

  1. Parkinson's Disease

    • Affects muscle control with symptoms like tremors, muscle rigidity, and balance issues.

    • Caused by cell destruction in the substantia nigra leading to dopamine deficiency.

  2. Cerebral Palsy

    • Neuromuscular disorder resulting from brain injury during pregnancy or early life.

    • Symptoms range from movement difficulties to speech issues.

  3. Brain Injury

    • Can result in concussions or severe damage, causing headaches, paralysis, or personality changes.

  4. Stroke

    • Damage to the brain from interrupted blood flow, causing cell death and loss of function.

  5. Epilepsy

    • Characterized by seizures, resulting from abnormal brain activity.

Specific Conditions Related to Brain Damage

  • Hypothalamic Damage: Leads to appetite issues, emotional instability, and temperature regulation problems.

  • Pituitary Gland Damage: Affects hormone regulation impacting various bodily functions.

  • Mental Illness: Disorders characterized by disturbances in thought, emotion, and behavior.

The Endocrine System

  • Overview: Comprises glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, regulating various bodily functions.

  • Key Components:

    • Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Thyroid Gland, Adrenal Glands, Pineal Gland, Gonads (ovaries and testes), and Pancreas.

  • Functions:

    • Regulating growth and development

    • Controlling metabolic processes

    • Influencing mood and behavior through hormonal balance.

Hormonal Impacts

  • Stress Response: The adrenal glands release epinephrine in response to stress.

  • Sexual Behavior: Hormones like testosterone and estrogen regulate reproductive functions and characteristics.

  • Sleep Patterns: Melatonin produced by the pineal gland influences sleep cycles.

Genetic Influences on Behavior and Personality

  • Genes interact with environmental factors to shape behavior and personality traits.

  • The 'Big Five' personality traits have genetic links, affecting predisposition to psychiatric disorders.

  • Twin studies reveal significant heritable components in personality traits, with estimates of 30-60% variance attributable to genetics.

Gene-Environment Interaction

  • Genes may influence a variety of traits, including physical characteristics and susceptibility to diseases.

  • Behaviors arise from complex interactions between genetic structures and environmental influences.

Types of Cells in the Human Body

  1. Eukaryotic Cells: Contain a nucleus, could be unicellular or multicellular.

  2. Prokaryotic Cells: Always unicellular, lack a nucleus.

  3. Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells: Undifferentiated cells that can develop into various cell types.

  4. Blood Cells:

    • White Blood Cells (immune response)

    • Red Blood Cells (oxygen transport)

    • Platelets (clotting)

  5. Muscle Cells: Responsible for movement and contraction.

Specialized Functions

  • Different types of cells play specific roles in the function of tissues and organs.

  • Hormones produced by endocrine glands regulate physiological processes across the body.