Biological Psychology (Nervous System)

Biological Psychology: Study of how biology influences behavior and mental processes.

Neuron: Nerve cell that transmits information.

• a. Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons.

• b. Axon: Sends signals to other neurons.

• c. Myelin Sheath: Insulates axon, speeds up signal transmission.

• d. Cell Body: Contains nucleus; maintains cell function.

• e. Axon Terminal Branches: Release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons.

• f. Action Potential: Electrical impulse that travels down the axon.

• g. Threshold: Minimum stimulus needed to trigger an action potential.

• h. Synapse: Gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Neurotransmitters: Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses.

• a. Acetylcholine (ACh): Involved in muscle movement and memory.

  • Alzheimor: too little acetylcholine

• b. Dopamine: Influences reward, motivation, and pleasure.

  • Parkinson's disease: Characterized by a deficiency of dopamine, leading to motor control issues and cognitive impairments.

  • Schizophrenia: Associated with an too much of dopamine levels

• c. Serotonin: Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.

  • clinical depression: deficiency of serotonin

• d. Endorphins: Reduce pain and induce pleasure.

• e. GABA: Inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps to regulate anxiety and promote relaxation.

  • Anxiety and Epilepsy: too little GABA

Nervous System: Body’s communication network.

• a. Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord; processes information.

• b. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nerves outside CNS; connects CNS to body.

  • i. Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary muscle movements.

  • ii. Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions.

    • 1. Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates "fight or flight" response.

    • 2. Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body, "rest and digest."

• c. Sensory Neurons: Carry information from senses to CNS.

• d. Interneurons: Connect sensory and motor neurons; process information.

Brainstem: Controls basic life functions.

• a. Medulla: Regulates heartbeat and breathing.

• b. Pons: Coordinates movement and sleep.

• c. Reticular Formation: Regulates arousal and consciousness.

• d. Thalamus: Relays sensory information to the cortex.

• e. Cerebellum: Coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and formulate implicit/procedure memory.

Limbic System: Controls emotions and drives.

• a. Hypothalamus: Regulates hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

• b. Pituitary Gland: "Master gland"; controls other glands.

• c. Amygdala: Processes emotions like fear and aggression.

• d. Hippocampus: Involved in memory formation.

Cerebral Cortex: Outer layer of the brain; responsible for complex thought.

• a. Frontal Lobe: Involved in decision-making, planning, and speech.

  • i. Motor Cortex: Controls voluntary movements.

  • ii. Broca’s Area: Controls speech production.

• b. Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information.

  • i. Somatosensory Cortex: Processes touch and pressure.

• c. Occipital Lobe: Processes visual information.

  • i. Visual Cortex: Processes visual stimuli.

• d. Temporal Lobe: Processes auditory information.

  • i. Wernicke’s Area: Involved in language comprehension.

• e. Corpus Callosum: Connects the two brain hemispheres.

• f. Association Areas: Integrate information from different brain regions.

Brain Study Methods:

• a. Accidents: Study brain damage effects.

• b. Lesions: Deliberately damage brain areas to study function.

• c. Electroencephalogram (EEG): Records electrical activity in the brain.

• d. Computed Tomography (CT): Uses X-rays to create brain images.

• e. Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Tracks brain activity using radioactive glucose.

• f. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Uses magnetic fields to create detailed brain images.

Plasticity: Brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Neural Networks: Interconnected neurons that process information.

Glial Cells: Support neurons; provide nutrients and insulation.

Endocrine System: Glands that secrete hormones to regulate body functions.

• a. Pituitary Gland: Controls other glands; regulates growth.

• b. Hormones: Chemical messengers that regulate bodily functions.

• c. Adrenal Glands: Produce adrenaline; regulate stress response.

Left-Brain Functions: Logical, analytical tasks; language and math.

Right-Brain Functions: Creative, spatial tasks; art and music.

Contributions of Charles Darwin: Proposed theory of evolution; natural selection.

Contributions of Michael Gazzaniga: Studied split-brain patients; advanced understanding of brain lateralization.