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AP PSYCHOLOGY UNIT #2: PART 1
Unit Two: Part 1 - Biological Bases of Behavior
Terms:
Glial Cells (Glia) | Cells in the nervous system support, nourish, and protect neurons; they also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory |
|---|---|
Refractory Period | In neural processing, a brief resting pause occurs after a neuron has fried; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state |
Agonist | A molecule that increases the activity of a neurotransmitter |
Antagonist | A molecule that inhibits it blocks the action of a neurotransmitter |
Sensory (afferent) neurons | Neurons carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord |
Motor (efferent) neurons | Neurons carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands |
Interneurons | Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs |
Adrenal Glands | A pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress |
Pituitary Gland | The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands |
Thalamus | The brains sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla |
Reticular Formation | A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal |
Neurogenesis | The formation of new neurons |
Blindsight | A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it |
Parts of The Cell:
Dendrites (receive messages)
Cell Body
Axon (message travels across)
Myelin Sheath (fatty tissue; allows for fast transmission)
Terminal Branches
Terminal Button (contains neurotransmitter)
Synapse (cleft or gap)
Neurotransmitters (Chemical Messengers)
Neurotransmitters:
Chemical messengers
It can be either excitatory or inhibitory
Serotonin
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
Endorphins
Drugs can impact the amount released
Agonists - excite
Antagonists - inhibit
Re-uptake (absorption of excess Neurotransmitters)
Other Terms/Concepts:
Action Potential
Electronic charged positive ions enter the axon and cause an “all or nothing” response
The Axon section (sausage) becomes depolarized
When they are stable it is known as Resting Potential
Brain Research Techniques:
Recording/Neuro-imaging Techniques
Technique | Function |
|---|---|
Electrode Recording | Insert an electrode into a part of the brain and record neural firing |
EEG | Measure overall brain electrical activity (measured in waves) |
CT Scan | X-ray of the brain |
MRI | Uses magnetic technology to get a picture of the brain’s soft tissue |
fMRI | Uses magnetic technology and measures blood flow to active areas |
PET Scan | Insert glucose into the patient, glucose goes to active areas of the brain (the brighter the color, the more neural activity) |
Stimulation:
Using electrodes, magnets, or chemicals, you induce firing in a certain part of the brain
Example: Penfield stimulated the temporal lobe of a human and they heard music
Example: If you stimulate the Hypothalamus of a rat, it will not stop eating
Lesion:
Cutting or burning of neural connections
Example: A lesion of the hypothalamus will cause a rat to NEVER eat
Example: Kluver and Bucey (1937) killed the temporal lobe of monkeys and they no longer showed any aggression
The Cerebral Cortex:
The Cerebral Cortex is the thin layer on the top of your brain
We can divide the Cerebral Cortex into 4 regions called Lobes:
Name | Functions |
|---|---|
Frontal Lobe (Motor Cortex) | Speech, muscle movement, planning, personality |
Temporal Lobe (Sensory Cortex) | Primarily movement and sensations |
Parietal Lobe (Auditory Cortex) | Primarily auditory |
Occipital Lobe (Visual Cortex) | Primarily sight |
Further Details
Area | Result if Damaged |
|---|---|
Broca’s Area (Left Frontal Lobe) | Someone with damage to this area will not be able to speak (Aphasia) |
Wernicke’s Area (Left Temporal Lobe) | Someone with damage will not be able to understand/comprehend speech |
The Hemispheres of The Brain:
Each hemisphere controls the OPPOSITE side of the body
The two halves of the brain are known as Hemispheres
The two hemispheres are connected by a large band of nerves known as the Corpus Callosum
Hemisphere | Functions |
|---|---|
Left Brain | logic, problem-solving, math, language, etc. |
Right Brain | emotions, art, music, creativity, facial recognition |
Split Brain Patients:
For reasons that are not completely known, severe epilepsy can be controlled by cutting the corpus callosum
These patients (split-brain patients) have been of great interest to the world of Psychology because their hemispheres are no longer able to communicate
Example:
The left eye shows a picture of an object (so the image goes to the right hemisphere)
The left hand is then able to point out that object in a “lineup”
But…patient is frustrated because they do not understand how they know that
Their left brain is speaking out because it does not know what was seen
More Possible Effects of Split Brain Surgery:
Effect | Explanation |
|---|---|
Alien Hand Syndrome | Hands have a “mind of their own |
Left Brain Rationalization | When an action is taken that was a product of the right brain, the left brain will make up a reason why it happened |
Plasticity:
The brain's ability to change and take over functions of damaged parts
For example - Someone born blind can have a heightened sense of hearing because the area normally used for seeing isn’t needed for that
Lower Brain Structures:
Term | Function |
|---|---|
Brainstem | Meeting place of brain and spinal cord |
Medulla | Helps regulate heartbeat and breathing |
Reticular Formation | Network of nerves within the Medulla that helps with stimulus filtration and communication between hemispheres |
Thalamus | Receives info from senses (except smell) |
Cerebellum | Coordinates voluntary movements |
The Limbic System:
It is the emotional center of our brain
Term | Function |
|---|---|
Amygdala | Associated with aggression and fear |
Hypothalamus | Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, sexual |
behavior (reward centers) | |
Hippocampus | Memory |
Additional Important Content:
The Endocrine System - Considered to be the “slower” chemical message system of the body
Responsible for secreting hormones
The two major glands involved in the Endocrine system are:
Gland | Function |
|---|---|
Adrenal Gland | Involved in fight or flight, provides an energy boost |
Pituitary Gland | Involved in sexual behavior and function, controlled by the hypothalamus |
The Nervous System:
Hiking in the woods, a bear jumps out in front of you
What would happen to your body?
What do you think, contemplate, etc.?
When faced with a dangerous or stressful situation, our bodies generally prepare for Fight or Flight
Our Nervous Systems will respond by reacting in specific ways that will prepare our bodies to act and then, ultimately, recover
The Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems:
Term | Function |
|---|---|
Central Nervous System | The primary connection between the brain and the body (consists of the brain and the spinal cord) |
Peripheral Nervous System | Nerves extending from the CNS to the muscles, glands, and senses |
There are three main nerve types:
Term | Function |
|---|---|
Sensory (Afferent) Neurons | nerves containing sensory information |
Interneurons | nerves within CNS that connect the CNS and PNS |
Motor (Efferent) Neurons | nerves connected to body tissue |
Further Components of the Peripheral Nervous System:
Peripheral Nervous System has two parts:
Term | Function |
|---|---|
Somatic Nervous System | controls movements of skeletal muscles |
Autonomic Nervous System | controls gland and internal organs |
The Autonomic NS has two parts:
Term | Function |
|---|---|
Sympathetic Nervous System | prepares (arouses) us for defensive action |
Parasympathetic Nervous System | conserves energy |