Good Morning 2-1 57-65 Neural Communication: Biological Psychology, Anatomy of Neurons (location and function of all parts), Neural Firing- Action Potential Process, Synapse, Reuptake Process, Neurotransmitters - Roles of Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, Glutamate, Endorphins; Agonists, Antagonists, Curare, Botulin, Blood-Brain Barrier 1. Identify the parts of a neuron and give their functions. 2. Describe the Action Potential Process. Discuss the role of the major neurotransmitters. Differentiate agonists and antagonists and give examples of each.

Neuroscience, Genetics NEUROSCIENCE – YAY!! Chapter 2 Neuroscience, Genetics and Behavior

Neural Communication Biological Psychology Neuron branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists Neuron a nerve cell the basic building block of the nervous system

Neural Communication Dendrite Axon the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body Axon the extension of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body some are quite long 2 to 3 feet in length Myelin [MY-uh-lin] Sheath white fatty layer that insulates some axons helps speed up neural impulses Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which the myelin sheath degenerates-leads to loss of muscle control

Neural Communication Cell Body=Soma Terminal Button

Neural Communication Action Potential action potential- a neural impulse; is a brief electrical charge neurons generate electricity from chemical events resting neurons are full of negative ions, while fluid outside is positively charged –known as resting potential -when a neuron fires, the axon opens its gates and lets in positive Potassium ions—sets of a chain reaction

Neural Communication ACTION POTENTIAL cont’d excitatory vs. inhibitory messages dendrite of a neuron receives both types of signals -If # of excitatory – # of inhibitory signals is above the threshold the neuron fires -the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse RESTING POTENTIAL =-70 MICROVOLTS -all-or-none response; it fires or it doesn’t Refractory Period – the time b/w neural firings w/in which a neuron cannot fire (toilet flush metaphor), Resting Pause “Volley Principle”

Neural Communication Cell body end of axon Direction of neural impulse: toward axon terminals

Neural Communication Synapse [SIN-aps] junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft Sir Charles Sherrington

Neural Communication (Presynaptic Neuron) (Postsynaptic Neuron) /gap

Neural Communication -axon terminals-branching terminals that send messages to the next neuron -contain sacs that hold neurotransmitters NEUROTRANSMITTERS cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptor sites on the dendrite of the next neuron lock and key relationship this opens up the gates for the ions to pass through either excites or inhibits the action potential influencing whether it will generate a neural impulse

Neural Communication reuptake- process where excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron -agonists excite neurons by mimicking natural neurotransmitters or blocking their reuptake to keep more of them in your system -antagonists inhibit neural impulses by blocking receptor sites or diminishing their release

Neural Communication Dopamine Pathways Serotonin Pathways

Neural Communication

Neural Communication Acetylcholine ACh involved in muscle contraction, learning and memory people with Alzheimer’s lose the ability to produce acetylcholine -if its transmission is blocked our muscles can’t contract and we become paralyzed -Poison darts -too much may lead to violent muscle contractions and seizures (black widow spider)

Neural Communication Endorphins- natural opiates released in response to pain and vigorous exercise -“endogenous morphine” Pert & Snyder blood-brain barrier- which is a membrane that only lets certain chemicals pass through Parkinson’s -lack dopamine, but dopamine can’t cross the barrier—therefore we can’t give them dopamine -L-Dopa must be used (kinda like synthetic dopamine) because it can cross the barrier

Neural Communication Neurotransmitter Receiving cell molecule membrane Receptor site on receiving neuron Agonist mimics neurotransmitter Antagonist blocks

Good Morning 2-2 61-67 NERVOUS & ENDOCRINE SYSTEM 1. Describe the nervous system’s two major divisions and identify the three types of neurons that transmit information through the system. 2. Identify the subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system, and describe their functions. 3. Describe the simplicity of the reflex pathways. 4. Describe the nature and functions of the endocrine system and its interaction with the nervous system.

The Nervous System Nervous System the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication system consists of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems Central Nervous System (CNS) the brain and spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

The Nervous System Central (brain and spinal cord) Nervous system Autonomic (controls self-regulated action of internal organs and glands) Skeletal (controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles) Sympathetic (arousing) Parasympathetic (calming) Peripheral

The Nervous System Nerves neural “cables” containing many axons part of the peripheral nervous system connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs Sensory Neurons (Afferent) neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system

The Nervous System SAME:Sensory=Afferent, Motor=Efferent Interneurons CNS neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs Motor Neurons (Efferent) carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands SAME:Sensory=Afferent, Motor=Efferent Somatic Nervous System the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

The Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System Sympathetic Nervous System the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart) Sympathetic Nervous System division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations Parasympathetic Nervous System division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

The Nervous System

The Nervous System

The Nervous System Reflex a simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus Skin receptors Muscle Sensory neuron (incoming information) Motor neuron (outgoing information) Brain Interneuron Spinal cord

The Nervous System Neural Networks interconnected neural cells with experience, networks can learn, as feedback strengthens or inhibits connections that produce certain results computer simulations of neural networks show analogous learning Inputs Outputs Neurons in the brain connect with one another to form networks The brain learns by modifying certain connections in response to feedback

The Brain Lesion tissue destruction a brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

The Endocrine System Endocrine System the body’s “slow” chemical communication system (v. Neurotransmitters –faster but shorter lasting) a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Neural and Hormonal Systems        The Endocrine System -set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream -hormones – chemical messengers that are produced in one tissue and affect another  -some hormones are very similar in structure to neurotransmitters -most are much slower acting than neurotransmitters -n-mitters travel along neural pathways, hormones travel in the blood  pituitary gland –master gland, produces or controls release of many diff. Types of hormones -located under hypothalamus which controls it -adrenal glands- pair of endocrine glands located just above the kidneys -release epinephrine and Norepinephrine (aka adrenaline and noradrenaline) -provide us with energy surges when under stress or pressure (work with sympathetic nervous system)

Electroencephalogram (EEG) an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

The Brain CT (computed tomography) Scan a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body; also called CAT scan PET (positron emission tomography) Scan a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain

PET Scan

MRI Scan

The Brain Brainstem Medulla [muh-DUL-uh] the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull responsible for automatic survival functions Medulla [muh-DUL-uh] base of the brainstem controls heartbeat and breathing

The Brain

The Brain Reticular Formation Thalamus [THAL-uh-muss] a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal Thalamus [THAL-uh-muss] the brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

The Brain Cerebellum [sehr-uh-BELL-um] the “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance

The Brain Limbic System Amygdala [ah-MIG-dah-la] a doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as those for food and sex includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Amygdala [ah-MIG-dah-la] two almond-shaped neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion

The Brain Hypothalamus neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; directs several maintenance activities eating drinking body temperature helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland is linked to emotion

The Limbic System

The Limbic System Electrode implanted in reward center

The Cerebral Cortex Cerebral Cortex Glial Cells the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres the body’s ultimate control and information processing center Glial Cells cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

The Cerebral Cortex Frontal Lobes Parietal Lobes Occipital Lobes involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments Parietal Lobes include the sensory cortex Occipital Lobes include the visual areas, which receive visual information from the opposite visual field Temporal Lobes include the auditory areas

The Cerebral Cortex

The Cerebral Cortex Motor Cortex Sensory Cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements Sensory Cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations

The Cerebral Cortex

The Cerebral Cortex Functional MRI scan shows the visual cortex activated as the subject looks at faces

Visual and Auditory Cortex

The Cerebral Cortex 1. Describe the findings of split-brain research and its expansion of knowledge on hemispheric specialization.

Association Areas More intellegent animals have increased “uncommitted” or association areas of the cortex

The Cerebral Cortex Aphasia Broca’s Area Wernicke’s Area impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impairing understanding) Broca’s Area an area of the left frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech (damage also effects signing capability) Wernicke’s Area an area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension and expression

Specialization and Integration

Specialization and Integration Brain activity when hearing, seeing, and speaking words

Plasticity Brain Reorganization the brain’s capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage (especially in children) and in experiments on the effects of experience on brain development “Blind-Girl Study” “Phantom Sensations” Hemispherectomy Patient- 5 yr old later scored above average on intel tests, completed college & grad school

Our Divided Brain Left – Language/Verbal, Logical, Sequences Left is interpretive; Brain’s press agent; constructs theories to explain our behavior Right – Emotionally Intuitive, Expressive, Spatial Relations, Multi-Tasks (can do many things at once unlike the sequential left-brain) Drawing: p 86 “Which one is happier?” VIDEO MODULE: THE BRAIN: “The Divided Brain”

Our Divided Brain Corpus callosum -accidents, strokes, and tumors in the left hemisphere generally impair reading, writing, speaking, arithmetic reasoning and understanding -similar damage in the right hemisphere rarely have such dramatic effects -corpus-callosum –200 mil neural fibers connecting hemispheres 1960s surgery - severing

Our Divided Brain The information highway from the eye to the brain Split-Brain Patient

Split Brain a condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them

Split Brain “What word did you see?” or “Point with your left hand to the word you saw.” “Look at the dot.” Two words separated by a dot are momentarily projected.

Disappearing Southpaws Left Hand vs. Right Hand 90% of humans are right handed 10% left-handed 95% of righties have lang based in left hem 50% of lefties have lang based in left hem 25% in the right 25% mixture -lefties more likely to have reading disabilities, allergies, and migraines -also more commonly musicians , math wiz’s, artists ,and MLB players -for some reason (no one knows) the older the population you study, the less % of left handers there is

Disappearing Southpaws The percentage of left-handers decreases sharply in samples of older people (adapted from Coren, 1993). The percentage of lefties sharply declines with age 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Age in years 14% 12 10 8 6 4 2 Percentage of left-handedness

Brain Structures and their Functions

The Endocrine System Endocrine System the body’s “slow” chemical communication system (v. Neurotransmitters –faster but shorter lasting) a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Neural and Hormonal Systems        The Endocrine System -set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream -hormones – chemical messengers that are produced in one tissue and affect another  -some hormones are very similar in structure to neurotransmitters -most are much slower acting than neurotransmitters -n-mitters travel along neural pathways, hormones travel in the blood  pituitary gland –master gland, produces or controls release of many diff. Types of hormones -located under hypothalamus which controls it -adrenal glands- pair of endocrine glands located just above the kidneys -release epinephrine and Norepinephrine (aka adrenaline and noradrenaline) -provide us with energy surges when under stress or pressure (work with sympathetic nervous system)