Wednesday

HW

Read p63-73 #1-4

Unit Ahead

What roles does neurobiology play in psychological functioning?

Mr. Szymanski

Objectives

Explain the major parts of the brain and their functions

Explain how the left and right brain interact and the functions of each

Describe the basic actions of neurons

Locate endocrine glands in the body and cite their main functions

• The function of the nervous system is to gather and process information, produce responses to stimuli, and coordinate the workings of different cells.

central nervous system (CNS) brain and spinal cord; receives, processes, interprets, and stores information and sends messages destined for muscles, glands, and organs

peripheral nervous system (PNS)transmits information to and from the CNS by way of sensory and motor nerves.

Central Nervous System

Which parts developed earliest?

Which parts are most complex?

The peripheral nervous divided

somatic nervous system permits sensation and voluntary actions

autonomic nervous system, which regulates blood vessels, glands, and internal (visceral) organs. The autonomic system usually functions without conscious control.

autonomic nervous system is divided:sympathetic nervous system which mobilizes the body for

actionparasympathetic nervous system, which conserves energy.

Why two contrary systems?

Neuron Structures

Communicating Across Gaps

Communication between two neurons occurs at the synapse .

Mapping the Brain

- lesion method with animals

- electroencephalograms (EEGs),

- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS),

- positron-emission tomography (PET

- scans), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

localization of function

medulla : heartbeat and breathing,

pons is involved in sleeping, waking, and dreaming

reticular activating system : alertness. (RAS)

Compensate much?

cerebellum contributes to balance and coordination.

Thalamus

thalamus directs sensory messages to appropriate higher centers

Hypothalamus

involved in emotion and in drives associated with survival. It also controls the operations of the autonomic nervous system and sends out chemicals that tell the pituitary gland when to "talk" to other endocrine glands.

Master Blaster runs Bartertown!

Limbic system

Controls emotions that we share with other animals, and it contains pathways involved in pleasure.

amygdala is responsible for evaluating sensory information and quickly determining its emotional importance, and for the initial decision to approach or withdraw from a person or situation.

hippocampus has been called the "gateway to memory" because it plays a critical role in the formation of long-term memories for facts and events.

Limbic System

What emotions do we have in common with other animals

Localization of function

Two Halves, One brain

Split brain

Gender and the Brain

• Which is A?

• Which is B?

• Why?