The Nervous System

The Central Nervous System The Central Nervous System processes all of the body’s information and includes the brain and the spinal cord

The Peripheral Nervous System The Peripheral Nervous System includes all of the other nerves in the body The Peripheral Nervous System is divided into two categories: The Somatic Nervous System The Autonomic Nervous System

The Somatic Nervous System The Somatic Nervous System connects the brain to the muscles of the body. It controls all of our voluntary muscle movements. It is connected to the motor cortex in the brain.

The Autonomic Nervous System The Autonomic Nervous System controls the automatic functions of the body and connects the brain to the heart, lungs, internal organs, glands, etc.

The Autonomic Nervous System This system is also responsible for actions associated with stress and perceived threats. The autonomic system is further broken down into two systems: Sympathetic Nervous System Parasympathetic Nervous System Fight or Flight in the Animal Kingdom

The Sympathetic Nervous System The Sympathetic Nervous System mobilizes the body to respond to stress. It is our alert (fight) system. Accelerates the heart, blood pressure, respiration) Conserves energy for fight by slowing down digestion, etc.

The Parasympathetic Nervous System The Parasympathetic Nervous System returns the body to a normal state after a stressful encounter.

Growing New Brain Cells? THE BRAIN Growing New Brain Cells?

How Do We Study The Brain? Brain Scans

Electroencephalogram (EEG) Electrodes are placed on the scalp that amplify recordings of the waves of electrical activity across the brain’s surface

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan) A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of the brain

Language Development and PET Scans Position Emission Tomography (PET Scan) A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task Language Development and PET Scans

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that allow us to see structures within the brain

Accidents Case study analysis of victims of suffer from a brain injury, resulting in variations in normal behavior IE. Phineas Gage Phineas Gage Phineas Gage II

Lesions Lesioning is the removal or destruction of part of the brain. IE. Lobotomy

THE BRAIN AND ITS FUNCTIONS

I. The Forebrain There are five main regions of the forebrain to study: The Cerebral Cortex Thalamus Hypothalamus Amygdala Hippocampus

The CEREBRAL CORTEX is the intricate, wrinkled covering of the brain (FISSURES) In addition to interneurons, it contains GLIAL CELLS, which guide neural connections, provide nutrients to myelin, and mop up neurotransmitters

The Cerebral Cortex is split into two halves, or Hemisphers: Right Hemisphere Left Hemisphere

The two hemispheres of the brain are connected by the CORPUS CALLOSUM

Hemispheres of the Brain

Hemispheres of the Brain Born With Only Half of a Brain

Each hemisphere of the brain has different functions Each hemisphere of the brain has different functions. This is called hemispheric specialization.

The Brain’s Left Hemisphere Language Math Logic Analytic Thought Scientific Thought Reasoning

The Brain’s Right Hemisphere Spatial abilities Face recognition Visual imagery Music Creativity Emotional Instincts

The Cerebral Cortex is split into four LOBES, with half of each one on the left, and half of each one on the right: The FRONTAL LOBE The PARIETAL LOBE The OCCIPITAL LOBE The TEMPORAL LOBE

Pre-Frontal Lobe Development of Children The Frontal Lobes are the portions of the cortex lying just behind the forehead Mostly involved in abstract thought, speaking, muscle movements, making plans, and judgments The Frontal Lobes Where is Morality? Pre-Frontal Lobe Development of Children

In the left frontal lobe specifically, there is an association area called Broca’s Area

Broca’s Area controls language expression and the muscle’s involved with producing speech

Sensory Motor Integration Along the top of both frontal lobes runs the motor cortex Sensory Motor Integration

The motor cortex sends messages back to the muscles of the body in order to control voluntary movements.

The Parietal Lobes are the portion of the cortex lying at the top of the head, and includes the sensory (or somato-sensory) cortex

The sensory cortex registers and processes touch sensations, temperature, pressure.

The parietal lobes play important roles in integrating sensory touch information, and in the handling and manipulation of objects.

The Temporal Lobes are the portions of the cerebral cortex roughly located above the ears The functions of the temporal lobes are generally specific to audio processing, and may extend to comprehension, naming, verbal memory and other language functions.

In the left temporal lobe specifically, there is an association area called Wernicke’s Area

Wernicke’s Area interprets both written and spoken language.

Aphasia is a disorder of either Broca’s or Wernicke’s areas. You may be able to comprehend, but cannot intelligibly communicate, or vice-versa.

Broca and Wernicke's Areas

The Occipital Lobes are located at the back of the head. The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information.

Collectively, the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and the amygdala are known as the Limbic System as well

The THALAMUS receives sensory input from all of the senses except smell, and routes it to the proper area of the brain for processing

The HYPOTHALAMUS is responsible for several maintenance activities, including eating, drinking, body temperature, and sexual arousal

The HYPOTHALAMUS also relays communication between the brain and the endocrine system, via the pituitary gland, and then monitors the hormones released into the bloodstream

The HIPPOCAMPUS is essential to memory processing

The AMYGDALA is tied to emotions, especially those of aggression, rage, disgust, and fear

II. The Midbrain The Midbrain is located below the forebrain This area is responsible for sound localization, eye movements, and visual tracking

A major area of the Midbrain is the RETICULAR FORMATION The RETICULAR FORMATION extends from the spine to the thalamus, and is responsible for arousal/wakefulness and attentiveness

III. The Hindbrain

The hindbrain is the oldest and innermost region of the brain

The functions of the hindbrain are mostly done outside of our awareness, and occur without any conscious effort.

The functions of the hindbrain control basic biological functions that keep the human body alive.

There are three brain areas associated with the Hindbrain: Medulla Cerebellum Pons

The point at which the spinal cord enters the skull is called the MEDULLA The MEDULLA controls heartbeat and breathing, blood pressure, and attention

Extending from the rear of the brainstem is the CEREBELLUM The CEREBELLUM coordinates voluntary movements, posture and balance

The PONS is responsible for helping to regulate breathing, to help with sleep and wake cycles, coordinating left and right body movements, and controls facial expressions