Ch. 3– Brain Communication, Central Nervous and Endocrine System Goals: Describe a nerve cell and summarize its role in brain/body communication. Analyze central nervous system and peripheral nervous systems.

Biological Psychology Branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior- focuses on the structure of the brain, and the nervous, and endocrine system. Biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists neuropsychologists behavior geneticists physiological psychologists biopsychologists

The Nervous System The electrochemical communication system of the body Brings information to the brain from the senses Sends messages from the brain to the body for movement

Brain Communication Neuron – nerve cell- building block of brain- receives, carries and passes on information Dendrite- message receptors Axon-passes messages away from cell to other neurons Soma – main cell body where nucleus is- determines health of the neuron Myelin Sheath – covers the axon and helps speed up the impulses Terminals – End of axon- these form junctions with dendrites of other neurons for passage of nerve pulses

Neurons Neurons “fire”—send an impulse down their length—or they don’t “fire” Neurons come in a variety of shapes, sizes, etc. All or None principal … like a toilet. Whether it is tasting fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, experiencing your first kiss, being tickled or suffering from depression… all begin with neurons either firing or not firing. Neurological disorders: MS, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s… Variety of shapes, sizes, but all have similar structure. Very short to a meter long ( in legs)

Neural Communication (#2) Action Potential A neural impulse A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of the neuron. Considered an “on” condition of the neuron Generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon’s membrane

Refractory Period The “recharging phase” when a neuron, after firing, cannot generate another action potential Once the refractory period is complete the neuron can fire again

Resting Potential The state of a neuron when it is at rest and capable of generating an action potential The neuron is set and ready to fire

All or None Principal The all-or-none law is the principle that the strength by which a neuron responds to a stimulus is independent of the strength of the stimulus. As long as there is enough energy to trigger the cell, it will give a complete response; otherwise, there is no response.

Schoolhouse Rock on the Nervous System Neural Chain Demonstration Brain Communication Synapse- fluid filled gap between neurons Neurotransmitter-chemical messengers between neurons can either trigger or inhibit impulses (action potentials) (Know the three mentioned in the text on p.128 ACH, Dopamine, Serotonin) Schoolhouse Rock on the Nervous System Neural Chain Demonstration

Central Nervous System Central Nervous System -Two main components: the Brain and the Spinal Cord BRAIN- main information processing center SPINAL CORD- main pathway for information in and out of brain Reflexes- neural impulses that are initiated by the spinal cord without involving the brain.

Peripheral Nervous System -Two parts – Somatic and Autonomic Somatic Nervous System- functions- Motor nerves that are activated voluntarily, large muscle group movements initiated by you. Autonomic Nervous System- movements and actions that happen without you conciously thinking about them – 2 parts -Sympathetic- triggered by threats challenging situations (fight or flight) these actions prepare you for an emergency response (giant automatic on switch) -Parasympathetic- this response is designed to calm you down and return you to your “normal” – (automatic off switch)

Neural Communication Check The two major components of the Nervous System are: the Somatic and Autonomic nervous systems the Central and Peripheral nervous systems the Sympathetic & Parasympathetic nervous systems the Hormonal and Endocrine systems

Neural Communication Review A physical response that is generated by the Spinal Cord instead of the Brain is called… An Autonomic response A Reflex A Sympathetic Response An Action Potential

Neural Communication Review Which part of the neuron is this? The Axon The Myelin Sheath The Terminal The Dendrites

Neural Communication Review Which phase of the Neuron firing stages is characterized by the recharging of the neuron? The Resting Potential The Action Potential The Refractory Period

Neural Communication Review Which of the following best describes a neurotransmitter? An electrical signal between neurons A chemical signal between neurons An electrical signal that travels down a neuron A chemical signal that travels down a neuron

Neural Communication Review Which part of the neuron is this? The Axon The Myelin Sheath The Terminal The Soma

Neural Communication Review The Peripheral Nervous System is further divided into two parts, they are: The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic The Somatic and the Autonomic The Brain and The Spinal Cord

Four major glandular systems and their functions Endocrine System Hormone – chemical messenger produced by endocrine glands Glands-organs within a body designed to create and release chemical substance for the body to use Four major glandular systems and their functions Pituitary- (growth hormone) – “master gland” releases growth hormone and controls all other glands Thyroid- (metabolism)- responsible for regulating energy level and efficiency of metabolism Adrenal- (adrenaline)-releases chemicals used by body in response to stress or threats Gonads- (androgen & estrogen) – hormones specific to gender that affect development, reproduction and emotion