1. Chapter 4
Body and Behavior

2. The Nervous System: The Basic Structure
Section 1
The Nervous System:
The Basic Structure

3. http://www. nytimes. com/2014/02/25/science/the-brains-inner-language

4. How the nervous system works
Central nervous system (CNS)- the brain and spinal cord
Spinal cord- nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)- nerves branching beyond the spinal cord into the body

6. Neurons
The long, thin cells of nerve tissue along which messages travel to and from the brain
Transmission occurs whenever cells are stimulated past a minimum point and emit a signal.
Either fires or does not fire

7. Parts of a neuron
Dendrites- short, thin fibers that protrude from the cell body
Receive impulses or messages and send them to the cell body
Axon- carries the impulses from the cell body to the axon terminals
Axon terminals- release neurotransmitters to stimulate dendrites of the next neuron

8. Parts of a neuron
Myelin sheath- insulates and protects the axon for some neurons
speeds the transmission of impulses
In cases of multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath is gone.

9. The Neuron Connection
Synapse- the gap that exists between individual nerve cells
Neurotransmitters- the chemicals released by neurons which determine the rate at which other neurons fire
Examples of neurotransmitters
Norepinephrine- is involved with memory and learning
Endorphine- inhibits pain

10. Neuron Activity
Intensity of neurons depends on how many other neurons are acting on it
Afferent neurons- sensory neurons that relay messages from the sense organs to the brain (eyes, ears, nose, skin)
Efferent neurons- motor neurons that send messages from the brain to the glands and muscles
Interneurons- process signals, connecting only to other neurons, not to sensors or muscles

11. Voluntary and Involuntary activities
Somatic nervous system (SNS)- the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)- the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls internal biological functions

12. Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic nervous system
Prepares the body for dealing with emergencies or strenuous activity
Parasympathetic
Works to conserve energy and to enhance the body’s ability to recover from strenuous activity

13. Section 2
Studying the Brain

14. Three parts of the Brain
Hindbrain- a part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull that is involved in the basic processes of life.
Midbrain- a small part of the brain above the pons that arouses the brain, integrates sensory information, and relays it upward
Forebrain- a part of the brain that covers the brain’s central core, responsible for sensory and motor control and the processing of thinking and language

15. Three parts of the Brain

16. Hindbrain Includes the following parts: Cerebellum Medulla Pons
Helps control posture, balance and voluntary movements
Medulla
Controls breathing, heart rate, and reflexes
Pons
Bridge between the spinal cord and brain
Produces chemicals the body needs for sleep

17. Hindbrain

18. Forebrain Includes the following parts: Thalamus Hypothalamus
Integrates sensory input
“relay station” for all info that travels to and from the cortex
Hypothalamus
Controls functions of hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior
Controls the bodies reaction to temperature

19. Forebrain Includes the following parts: Cerebral cortex Cerebrum
Outer layer of the forebrain
Cerebrum
Inner layer of the forebrain
Gives you the ability to learn and store complex and abstract information

20. Forebrain

21. Forebrain Limbic system
Includes various structures that regulate our emotions and motivations
Amygdala- controls violent emotions like rage or fear
Hippocampus- is important for the formation of memories

22. The Lobes of the Brain
Corpus callosum- a band of fibers that joins the two sides or hemispheres of the cerebrum
Lobes- are the different regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided

23. Lobes of the Brain Occipital lobe- visual signals are sent
Pariental lobe- concerned with various information from the senses
Temporal lobe- concerned with hearing, memory, emotion, and speaking
Frontal lobe- concerned with organization, planning, and creative thinking

24. Lobes of the Brain

25. Left and Right Hemispheres
Right and left sides of the brain complement each other
Left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body
Mathematical ability, where speech is located
Right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body
Controls visual and spatial relations
Perceptual tasks

26. How Psychologists Study the Brain
Recording
Electroencephalograph (EEG)- is a machine used to record electrical activity of large portions of the brain
Overall electrical activity can be measured and the rhythms of the brain differ depending on whether a person is awake, drowsy, or asleep

27. How Psychologists Study the Brain
Stimulation
Electrodes may be used to set off the firing of neurons as well as record it
Has been used with terminal cancer patients to relieve their pain
Used to control violent emotional behavior

28. Images Computerized axial tomography (CT)
An imaging technique used to study the brain to pinpoint injuries and brain deterioration
Radiation is absorbed depending on the density of the brain tissue
Computers measure the amount of radiation absorbed and then transformed into 3-D images

29. Images Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Is an imaging technique used to see which brain areas are being activated while performing tasks
Injects radioactive solution into the blood and measuring the amount of radiation absorbed by the blood cells
Show activity in different areas of the brain when a person is thinking, speaking, or looking at objects

30. Images Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A measuring technique used to study brain structure and activity
Combines the features of CT and PET scans
fMRI- observes both the functions of different structures of the brain and which structures participate in specific functions

31. Section 3
The Endocrine System

32. The Endocrine System

33. The Endocrine Glands
Endocrine system- a chemical communication system, using hormones, by which messages are sent through the bloodstream.
Hormones- chemical substances that carry messages through the body in blood

34. The Endocrine Glands Hormones have effects on your behavior
Hormones can also influence your moods and drives
Duct glands
Release their contents through small holes on the surface of the body
Sweat glands, tear glands, salivary glands

35. Pituitary Gland
Is the center of control of the endocrine system that secretes a large number of hormones
Controls growth and reproduction including ovulation and lactation

36. Thyroid Gland Produces thyroxine
Stimulates certain chemical reactions that are important for all tissues of the body
Hyperthyroidism- too much thyroxine which causes overactivity
Hypothyroidism- too little thyroxine makes people feel lazy

37. Adrenal Glands Become active when angry or frightened
Release epinephrene and norepinephrine which cause heartbeat and breathing to increase
Secrete cortical steroids which help muscles develop

38. Sex Glands Testes Ovaries Testosterone (male sex hormone)
Important in physical development
Helps decide sex of the fetus
Ovaries
Produce estrogen and progesterone
Important in the development of female sex characteristics
Vary throughout the menstrual cycle

39. Hormones v.s. Neurotransmitters
Both work to affect the nervous system
When a chemical is used as a neurotransmitter:
It is released right beside the cell that it is to excite or inhibit
When a chemical is used as a hormone:
It is released into the blood, which defuses into the body

40. Heredity and Environment
Section 4
Heredity and Environment

41. Heredity and Environment
Heredity- the genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to their offspring
Inherited factors and environmental conditions always act together in different ways

42. Nature versus Nurture
Nature refers to characteristics that a person inherits
Family, culture, education, individual experiences
Genes are the basic units of heredity
Can be reproduced and passed from generation to generation
For example, musical talent

43. Twin Studies
Identical twins- twins who come from one fertilized egg; twins having the same heredity
Genes- the basic building blocks of heredity
Fraternal twins- twins who come from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm

44. Twin Studies
Twins growing up in the same house share the same environment as well as the same genes
Twins growing up in different environments have common behaviors despite different social, cultural, or economic backgrounds

45. Twin Studies
Twin quiz

46. Sources:
Kasschau, Richard, A. Understanding Psychology. McGraw-Hill, Glencoe, New York, New York, 2008.