Post on 05-Jan-2016
transcript
The Biology of Mind
Biological Psychology
◦Branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
◦Some biological psychologists call themselves: ◦Neurobehavioral neuroscientists◦Neuropsychologists ◦Behavior geneticists ◦Physiological psychologist ◦Biopsychologists
It all Starts with the Neuron
Neuron
Neuron Structure
Neurons do NOT touch each other- the space in between is call the synapse.
How a Neuron FiresIt is an electrochemical process Electrical inside the neuron Chemical outside the neuron (in the synapse in the form of a neurotransmitter) The firing is call Action Potential
The All or None Response The idea that either the neuron fires or it does not No part-way firing
Action Potential
How Neurons Communicate
Neurotransmitters Chemical messengers released by terminal buttons through the synapse. We should know at least 4 types and what they do
Acetylcholine Enables muscle action, learning & maybe memory
Lack of ACh has been linked to Alzheimer's
Too much means muscle spasms & death
Too little can mean paralysis
Dopamine Influences learning, meaning & attention Too much is linked to schizophrenia Too little is linked to Parkinson’s
Serotonin Affects mood, hunger, sleep & arousal Too little is linked to depression Too much Serotonin Syndrome
Endorphins Natural pain killer “Runner’s High” Linked to pain control & pleasure
Drugs can be . . .
Agonists: Make neurons fire Antagonists: Stop neural firing Re-uptake inhibitors: Block re-uptake
Agonists and Antagonists
Types of Neurons
Afferent (Sensory) Neurons
Efferent (Motor) Neurons
Interneurons
Sensory Neurons(Afferent Neurons)
Take information from the senses to the brain.
Motor Neurons(Efferent Neurons)
Take information from brain to the rest of the body.
Inter Neurons Take messages from Sensory Neurons to other parts of the brain or to Motor Neurons
Divisions of the Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System
Flight or Fight Response
• Automatically accelerates heart rate, breathing, dilates pupils, slows down digestion
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Automatically slows the body down after a stressful event. Heart rate and breathing slow down, pupils constrict and digestion speeds up.
Peripheral Nervous System
All nerves that are not encased in bone.
Everything but the brain and spinal cord.
Is divided into two categories….somatic and autonomic.
Somatic Nervous System Controls voluntary muscle movement. Uses motor (efferent) neurons.
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls the automatic functions of the body. Divided into two categories…the sympathetic and the parasympathetic
Reflexes Normally, sensory (afferent) neurons take info up through spine to the brain. Some reactions occur when sensory neurons reach just the spinal cord. Survival adaptation.
A Simple Reflex
A Simplified Neural Network
Neurons that learn to work together as a team.
The Endocrine System
A system of glands that secrete hormones.Similar to nervous system, except hormones work a lot slower than neurotransmitters.
The Major Endocrine Glands