Download Neuroanatomy- anatomy of nerve cell (neuron)

Biological Basis of Behavior (Neuroscience) (8-10%)
Neuroanatomy- anatomy of nerve cell (neuron)
Dendrites- root like, makes synaptic connections with other neurons. Receives the neurotransmitter on receptor sites
Cell body- (aka soma) contains nucleus.
Axon - longest part of neuron.
Myelin sheath- covering around the axon that speeds neural impulses.. Breakdown of Mylin Sheath (MS) is related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Terminal Buttons of axon (aka end buttons, terminal branches, synaptic knobs))- branched end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters
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synaptic vesicles (holds neurostransmitter until release)
Neurotransmitters – chemicals that enable neurons to communicate
Synapse- space between neurons.
Neuron in a resting state – negative ions within the cell and mostly positive ions on the outside
Action potential electrical message firing
Threshold- neurons are pushed past this to begin the firing. (Toilet flushing)
Neuron firing- “all or nothing” either fires or doesn’t (like a toilet flushing)
Refractory period – brief time when a neuron must recharge and cannot fire (toilet)
Sodium and Potassium Ions
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Neuron has a negative charge at rest (analogy was dirty urine(negative) water in toilet
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Slightly positive charge sodium ions on the outside (analogy was clean water waiting to rush in when flushed)
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During the firing, sodium ions rush in the axon causing depolarization
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Potassium ions rush out of the axon causing it to return to its resting state (negative charge)
Inhibitory neurotransmitters – chemicals that inhibit (slow down) the next cell from firing (Antagonist)
Excitatory neurotransmitters – chemicals that excite (speed up) the next cell firing (Agonist)
Reuptake – The re-absorption of neurotransmitters from the sending neuron
Neurotransmitter_______ Function
a.) Acetylcholine (Ach)
motor movement
b.) Dopamine
motor movement
c.) Serotonin
mood
d.) Endorphins (substance p) pain
e.) Norepenephrine
mood
Problem associated with it
Alzheimer’s (lack of Ach)
Parkinson’s and Schizophrenia (excess)
Depression
Addictions
Depression
Afferent/Efferent neurons- acronym is SAME. Sensory Afferent / Motor Efferent. Sensory neurons (Afferent) go from body to brain such as
when you sense pain from hitting your knee. Motor neurons go from brain to body such as when your brain and tells you to raise your hand to
catch a ball.
Interneurons- take messages from the sensory neurons to motor neurons
Reflexes are processed by the spine.
CNS (Central Nervous System) - brain and spinal cord
PNS (Peripheral Nervous System) – all other nerves in your body
Autonomic – controls automatic functions of the body – such as heart, lungs
Sympathetic Nervous System- arouses body systems, decreases digestion, dilates pupil
Parasympathetic Nervous System- calms body systems, increases digestion, contracts pupil etc. (Mnemonic: once your
parachute opens you calm, the paramedics come to calm you down)
Somatic – controls voluntary muscle movements
Reflexes – spine sends message to body
STUDYING THE BRAIN
Accidents – Phineas Gage – thought, planning emotion are located in front of brain
Lesion- removal or destruction of part of the brain.
EEG- detects electrical activity of brain waves. Uses electrodes
CAT (aka CT Scan) - x-ray of brain structure only
MRI- locates brain material. Most detailed picture
PET- activity of brain in pictures. Use of radioactive glucose to locate activity
FMRI– A combination of the PET scan and MRI, shows brain activity using an MRI
PARTS OF THE BRAIN
Medulla- heartbeat, breathing
Pons- controls facial expressions.
Cerebellum- balance, motor movement (Mnemonic: Sara on a balance beam)
Thalamus- contains sensory (senses) cortex (except smell)
Hypothalamus – body temperature, sexual arousal, hunger, thirst
Amygdala- emotions (Mnemonic: Picture a friend named Amy that is very emotional)
Hippocampus- formation of new memories (Mnemonic: If you saw a hippo on campus you wouldn’t forget it)
Reticular Formation – responsible for body arousal (Mnemonic: tic toc an alarm clock wakes you up)
HEMISPHERES
Contra lateral control- the left hemisphere controls the motor movement of the right hand.
Hemispheric Specialization (aka brain lateralization)- outdated theory suggesting that each hemisphere controls all specific
functions. It’s factual however that the left is where most language takes place. Right is spatial. (map reading etc.)
Split brain patients can write a word they see in the right visual field but cannot say it because the left hemisphere controls language
Corpus collosum- connects the 2 hemispheres and transmits messages to each other. People who get epileptic seizures have this
surgically cut and become split brain patients.
AREAS OF THE CEREBRAL CORTEX
Broca’s Area- speech production (broken CD player does not make sound)
Wernicke’s Area- language comprehension.
Frontal Lobe (aka prefrontal cortex)- thought, planning, judgement
Parietal Lobe- sensory cortex, sense of touch.
Occipital Lobe- vision. (Optometrist and Optical illusion starts with an O)
Temporal Lobe- auditory, sound.
Motor Cortex – sends signals to the muscles, controlling voluntary movement. Located at the back of the frontal lobe
Sensory Cortex – receives incoming touch sensations from the body. Located at the front of the parietal lobe.
Brain Plasticity- specific parts of brain can adapt to perform tasks of other parts of brain. This helps explain phantom limb sensations. (Video
with armless man)
Endocrine System- system of glands that secrete hormones including adrenal (adrenaline), testes (testosterone), ovaries (estrogen)
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Endocrine System Glands:
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Pituitary – controls other glands
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Thyroid – controls metabolism
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Pineal – sleep/wake cycle
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Pancreas – digestion / secrets insulin
CH 3 – Nature v Nurture
Evolutionary psychology (aka sociobiology) / Natural selection / Darwin/ human behavior involves those traits that have helped us survive and
get passed down.
Gender Typing- - the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.
Gender Roles – a set of expectations for males and females.
Gender constancy- knowledge that Gender is constant (permanent).
GENETICS
Down’s Syndrome- babies with extra chromosome (form of mental retardation)
Twin Studies- Bouchard found 100 sets of twins separated at birth and raised in different environments.