Biopsychology
The Biological Basis of Behavior
Neurons: Structure
Dendrites Cell Body Axon Myelin Sheath Nodes of Ranvier Terminal Buttons
p. 45
Normally Functioning Nerves
The Synapse
Synaptic Vesicles Synaptic Cleft Receptor Sites Presynaptic membrane Postsynaptic membrane Neurotransmitters
p. 47
Neurotransmission
1. Resting Potential (-70 millivolts) 2. Threshold ( greater than -70 mv)3. Action Potential ( positive)4. Hyperpolerization (less than –70 mv)5. Resting Potential (-70 mv)
Action Potential
-90-70-50-30-1010305070
Time (ms)
Mem
bran
e Po
tent
ial
(mv)
All or None Response
Threshold Graded Potential
HyperpolarizationResting Potential
Effects of Neurotransmitters
Excitatory
Inhibitory
Types of Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine: ACh Norephinephrine: NE Dopamine: DA Serotonin: 5-HT Gamma-amino-butyric acid: GABA
Acetylcholine (ACh):
found through out the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and all neuromuscular junctions.
Excitatory Involved in muscle action, attention, learning, and
memory Too much: spasms Too little: paralysis
Norephinephrine: NE
o Synonymous with Adrenalino Found in ANSo Excitatoryo Responsible for getting “pumped up”
• Fight or Flight Response o Eating behavior
• Carbo-craving
Dopamine: DA Reward system Produced by neurons located in a region of the brain
called the substantia nigra. Involved in pleasure, movement, attention, and
learning. Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons has
been linked with Parkinson’s Disease. Too much dopamine is implicated in schizophrenia and Tourette’s .
Serotonin: 5-HT Found in the brain and spinal cord. Inhibitory Plays a role in the regulation of mood and is control
of eating, sleep and arousal. Has also been implicated in the regulation of pain and dreaming.
Destroyed by MAO SSRI’s (Prozac, Zoloft)
Gamma-amino-butyric acid: GABA
Found through out the brain and spinal cord, in very high concentrations compared to other Neurotransmitters.
Inhibitory Is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Abnormal levels of GABA have been linked to eating and sleeping disorders.
Nervous System
CentralBrain & Spinal Cord
PeripheralSomatic
???
AutonomicParasympatheticSympathetic
N.S.
Peripheral Central
Somatic Autonomic
Sympathetic ParaSymp
p. 51
Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic Fight or Flight
Parasympathetic Maintenance & Refuel
1. Eyes open Wide2. Mouth Goes Dry3. Hr Increase4. Start to Sweat
1. Eyes constrict2. Mouth Waters3. Digestion4. Blood away from
muscles
The Endocrine System The Brain Stem
What is the difference between a neurotransmitter and a hormone?
Where are the seats of consciousness?
Motivation & Emotion in the Brain
Hypothalamus
Limbic System
Thalamus
Cortex
o Parietal Lobe
o Temporal Lobe
o Occipital Lobe
o Frontal Lobe
Brain Lateralization
Left Hemisphere Right side of the body Language
Wernike & Broca
Right Hemisphere Left side of the body Creativity Math & Spatial tasks Nonverbal - Emotion
Q: What is the cause of ambidexterity?
A: Handedness (the preference to use one hand over the other) is species-specific. In humans, about 90% prefer to use their right hand. What does this mean? Recall that the human brain is divided into a right and a left hemisphere. Typically, the left hemisphere in humans is dominant. We're not really sure why the left rather than the right (or both) becomes dominant, but probably it reflects the early fetal environment, particularly hormonal factors. Since the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, people with left hemisphere dominance will be right-handed. For left-handers and for those who are ambidextrous (can use both hands with the same level of skill), the right hemisphere tends to be dominant. Interestingly, language, which typically is the province of the dominant hemisphere, is equally likely to reside in either the left or right hemisphere for non-right-handed people. Those who are left-handed or ambidextrous also tend to have a thicker corpus callosum (the bundle of fibers joining the two hemispheres).
Genetics
Structure and Function
Gene therapy
Nature vs. Nurture