Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Chapter 2Brain and Behavior

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Neuron and Its Parts

Neuron: Individual nerve cell– Dendrites: Receive messages from other neurons– Soma: Cell body; body of the neuron– Axon: Fiber that carries information away from the cell body– Axon Terminals: Branches that link the dendrites and

somas of other neurons

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.1

FIGURE 2.1 A neuron, or nerve cell. In the right foreground you can see a nerve cell fiber in cross section. The upper left photo gives a more realistic picture of the shape of neurons. Nerve impulses usually travel from the dendrites and soma to the branching ends of the axon. The nerve cell shown here is a motor neuron. The axons of motor neuron stretch from the brain and spinal cord to muscles or glands of the body.

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Synapses

Messages from one neuron to another pass over a microscopic gap called a synapse

– Synapse: Microscopic gap between two neurons over which messages pass

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.5

FIGURE 2.5 A highly magnified view of a synapse. Neurotransmitters are stored in tiny sacs called synaptic vesicles (VES-ihkels). When a nerve impulse reaches the end of an axon, the vesicles move to the surface and release neurotransmitters. These molecules cross the synaptic gap to affect the next neuron. The size of the gap is exaggerated here; it is actually only about one millionth of an inch. Some transmitter molecules excite the next neuron, and some inhibit its activity.

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that alter activity in neurons; brain chemicals that carry messages.

– Acetylcholine: Activates muscles– Dopamine: Muscle control– Serotonin: Mood and appetite control

• Receptor Site: Areas on the surface of neurons and other cells that are sensitive to neurotransmitters

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Neural Regulators

Neural Peptides: Regulate activity of other neurons– Endorphins: Released by pituitary gland; also help to

relieve pain – Do not send messages.

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Nerves and Neurons

Nerves: Large bundles of axons and dendrites (Not neurons) Myelin: Fatty layer of tissue that coats axons

– Multiple Sclerosis (MS) occurs when myelin layer is destroyed; numbness, weakness, and paralysis occur

Neurogenesis: Production of new brain cells

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Neural Networks

Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System: All parts of the nervous system

outside of the brain and spinal cord– Somatic System: Links spinal cord with body and sense

organs; controls voluntary behavior– Autonomic System: Serves internal organs and glands;

controls automatic functions such as heart rate and blood pressure

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.6

FIGURE 2.6 (a) Central and peripheral nervous systems. (b) Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and the autonomic nervous system.

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Two Divisions of the Autonomic System

Sympathetic: Arouses body; emergency system Parasympathetic: Quiets body; most active after an emotional

event

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.8

FIGURE 2.8 Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. Both branches control involuntary actions. The sympathetic system generally activates the body. The parasympathetic system generally quiets it. The sympathetic branch relays its messages through clusters of nerve cells outside the spinal cord.

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.7

FIGURE 2.7 Subparts of the nervous system.

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Researching the Brain

Computed Tomographic Scanning (CT): Computer-enhanced X-ray image of the brain or body

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Uses a strong magnetic field, not an X-ray, to produce an image

Functional MRI (fMRI): MRI that also records brain activity Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Computer-generated

color image of brain activity, based on glucose consumption in the brain

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Cerebral Cortex

Definition: Outer layer of the cerebrum Cerebrum: Two large hemispheres that cover upper part of the

brain Corticalization: Increase in size and wrinkling of the cortex Cerebral Hemispheres: Right and left halves of the cortex Corpus Callosum: Bundle of fibers connecting cerebral

hemispheres

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Split Brains

Corpus Callosum is cut; done to control severe epilepsy (seizure disorder).

Result: The person now has two brains in one body.

This operation is rare and is often used as a last resort.

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.19

FIGURE 2.19 Basic nerve pathways of vision. Notice that the left portion of each eye connects only to the left half of the brain; likewise, the right portion of each eye connects to the right brain. When the corpus callosum is cut, a “split brain” results. Then visual information can be sent to just one hemisphere by flashing it in the right or left visual field as the person stares straight ahead.

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.22

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

When the Brain Fails to Function Properly

Association Cortex: Combine and process information from the five senses

Aphasia: Speech disturbance resulting from brain damage

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.18

Spatial neglect resulting from a right hemisphere stroke. Notice the neglect of the left side of the pictures which were being reproduced.

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

When the Brain Fails to Function Properly (cont'd)

Broca’s Area: Related to language and speech production– If damaged, person knows what s/he wants to say but can’t

say the words Wernicke’s Area: Related to language comprehension

– If damaged, person has problems with meanings of words, NOT pronunciation

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Subcortex

Hindbrain (Brainstem)– Medulla: Connects brain with the spinal cord and controls

vital life functions such as heart rate and breathing– Pons (Bridge): Acts as a bridge between medulla and other

structures Influences sleep and arousal

– Cerebellum: Located at base of brain Regulates posture, muscle tone, and muscular

coordination

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Subcortex: Reticular Formation (RF)

Lies inside medulla and brainstem– Associated with alertness, attention and some reflexes

(breathing, coughing, sneezing, vomiting) Reticular Activating System (RAS): Part of RF that keeps the

cortex active and alert Its alarm clock

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.25

FIGURE 2.25 This simplified drawing shows the main structures of the human brain and describes some of their most important features. (You can use the color code in the foreground to identify which areas are part of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.)

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Forebrain

Structures are part of the Limbic System: System within forebrain closely linked to emotional response

– Thalamus: Relays sensory information to the cortex; switchboard

– Hypothalamus: Regulates emotional behaviors and motives (e.g., sex, hunger, rage, hormone release)

– Amygdala: Associated with fear responses– Hippocampus: Associated with storing memories; helps us

navigate through space

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.26

FIGURE 2.26 Parts of the limbic system. Although only one side is shown here, the hippocampus and the amygdala extend out into the temporal lobes at each side of the brain. The limbic system is a sort of “primitive core” of the brain strongly associated with emotion.

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Endocrine System

Glands that pour chemicals (hormones) directly into the bloodstream or lymph system

– Pituitary Gland: Regulates growth via growth hormone Too little means person will be smaller than average

– Hypopituitary Dwarfs: As adults, perfectly proportioned but tiny

Too much leads to giantism– Excessive body growth

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Endocrine System (cont'd)

Acromegaly: Enlargement of arms, hands, feet, and facial bones

– Too much growth hormone released late in growth period Andre the Giant

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

Endocrine System Concluded

Pineal Gland: Regulates body rhythms and sleep cycles.– Releases hormone melatonin, which responds to daily

variations in light. Thyroid: In neck; regulates metabolism.

– Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid; person tends to be thin, tense, excitable, nervous.

– Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid; person tends to be inactive, sleepy, slow, obese.

Introduction to Psychology: KCCFigure 2.27

Introduction to Psychology: KCC

The Adrenal Glands

Adrenals: Arouse body, regulate salt balance, adjust body to stress, regulate sexual functioning; located on top of kidneys

– Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline)

Epinephrine arouses body; is associated with fear Norepinephrine arouses body; is linked with anger

Remember – This has been a simplified view of the brain and nervous system.