Download PSY 301 – Summer 2004

Introduction to Psychology
Class 8: Neuroscience 1
Myers: 38-51
June 22, 2006
Biological Psychology
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A branch of psychology that concerns itself
with the links between biology and behavior.
Other terms: Behavioral neuroscientist,
neuropsychologist, physiological/biopsychologist, behavioral endocrinologist etc.
Origins of brain-mind connection
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Phrenology (1800)
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Phineas Gage (1848)
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bumps on skull could reveal mental
abilities
Iron rod through skull. Changes in
personality
1990’s decade of the brain: fMRI,
PET
The Neuron
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Parts Dendrites, Body, Axon Hillock, Axon,
Myelin sheath, Nodes of Ranvier, Terminal
branches, Terminal Buttons, Synaptic cleft
Concepts  Action Potential, Type of signals,
Threshold stimulus, All-or-None response
Action Potential
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Resting Potential (70mv)
Depolarization (50mv threshold)
Action potential
Repolarization (back
to neg charge)
Hyperpolarizaton
The Synapse
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Cajal
Sherrington
NT
Reuptake
Agonists
and
antagonists
Neurotransmitters
Overview

NERVOUS SYSTEM
3 types of
neurons
Types of Neurons
 SENSORY/AFFERENT
From the organ to the spinal cord
(and brain)
 MOTOR/EFFERENT
From the spinal cord (and brain)
to the organ
 INTERNEURONS
In between
Autonomic Nervous System
(Sympathetic & Parasympathetic)
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Internal functioning
E.g., Heartbeat,
digestion,
Sympathetic: Fight or
flight (adrenalin)
Parasympathetic:
Resting and digesting
(Back to baseline)
(acetylcholine)
The Spinal Cord
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The Reflex pathway
Pain reflex
Quadri/Paraplegia  Bilateral and depends on level
of lesion in the spinal cord

Hemiplegia  Unilateral and depends on the location
of lesion in brain. Usually caused by stroke.
The Brain

Evolutionarily evolved

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Brainstem
Limbic System
Cortex
Brainstem
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Medulla
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Basic life functions
Reticular Formation
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Alertness arousal
(anesthetics)
Cerebellum
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Cerebellum
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Fine motor movements
Thalamus
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Atop brainstem
Sensory Relay station

All 5 senses except for smell
Limbic System
(all bilateral)
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Amygdala
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Hypothalamus
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Aggression and fear; processing emotional
memories
Hunger, thirst, body temperature, sexual
behavior
Controls pituitary gland (master gland) which
produced hormones
Olds and Milner – pleasure centers
Hippocampus

Memory consolidation (HM, memento)