1. Neuroscience and Behavior T/F: We only use 10% of our brains: Lucy
It’s all about the body!
crash course

2. Neural Communication
Neuron – a nerve cell; “building block” of the nervous system Icons of Science

3. Neuroanatomy (include glial cells) Khan Academy, stop @ 3:30

4. Neuroanatomy
Synapse – the junction (space) between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another
Neurotransmitter – chemicals that carry messages across the synapse from one neuron to another

5. How a Neuron Fires Khan: stop @ 4:45
an electrochemical process
Electrical inside the neuron; chemical outside the neuron (neurotransmitters).
called an action potential
an “all or nothing” process
like a gun
greater intensity of stimulus does not equal faster/more intense firing; greater stimulus can mean more neurons firing or more frequent firing 5

6. Action Potential Resting Potential - the neuron is ready to fire
Reaches its threshold , then fires based on the all-or-none response
Polarization  Depolarization
opens up portals in axon letting in positive ions (Sodium) which mix with negative ions (Potassium) that are already inside the axon
process continues down axon to the axon terminal
Terminal buttons convert electrical charge into chemical response (neurotransmitter) and sends message to next neuron, across the synapse 6

7. Action Potential 7

8. 8

9. The Role of Neurotransmitters
Excitatory - neurotransmitter effect that makes it more likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential or “fire”
Inhibitory - neurotransmitter effect that makes it less likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential or “fire” 9

10. Specific Neurotransmitters

11. Acetylcholine (ACh) vital role in movement and memory
too much – muscle contractions, convulsions
some spider venoms cause floods of ACh
too little – immobility, extreme lethargy
Botulin causes paralysis by blocking its release
Undersupply of ACh has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease

12. Dopamine deals with movement, learning, attention & emotion
lack of dopamine has been linked to Parkinson’s Disease
too much has been linked to Schizophrenia

13. Serotonin involved in mood control, hunger, sleep / arousal
lack of serotonin has been linked to clinical depression (Prozac and other antidepressants raise serotonin levels)

14. Endorphins “endogenous morphine” involved in pain control
most addictive drugs work with endorphins

15. Neurotransmission Drugs
Agonists - mimics / blocks reuptake / excites
Antagonists - prevents release / blocks / inhibits

16. Types of Neurons Khan;start @ 4:50
Efferent (Motor) Neurons
info to body parts for movement
Interneurons
info within central nervous system
Afferent (Sensory) Neurons
info to CNS from body parts
Remember… S.A.M.E.

17. A Neural Chain 17

18. A Neural Chain 18

19. A Neural Chain 19

20. A Neural Chain 20

21. The Nervous System crash course Khan

22. Central Nervous System
brain and spinal cord
CNS

23. Peripheral Nervous System
all nerves that are not encased in bone
everything but the brain and spinal cord
divided into two categories
somatic
autonomic

24. Somatic Nervous System
controls voluntary muscle movement
uses motor (efferent) neurons

25. Autonomic Nervous System
controls the automatic functions of the body
divided into two categories
sympathetic
parasympathetic

26. Sympathetic Nervous System
“Fight or Flight” response
automatically accelerates heart rate, breathing, dilates pupils, slows down digestion

27. Parasympathetic Nervous System
automatically calms the body down after a stressful event
heart rate and breathing slow down, pupils constrict, and digestion speeds up
think, “parachute”

28. Reflexes
normally, afferent neurons  spine  brain & brain sends orders for movement  efferent neurons
some reactions occur when sensory neurons reach just the spinal cord & spinal cord sends orders

29. brain rap

30. Neural Networks fact or fiction? crash course: brain
interconnected neurons
regular connections or routes of communication for different tasks, processes, etc.
body/brain “learns” networks over time
“muscle memory” in sports (“practice makes permanent”)
answer

31. Ways to Study the Brain Case Studies / Clinical Observation
Accidents (i.e. – Phinneas Gage)
Diseases / Disorders

32. Invasive Exploration
Lesion - a natural or man-made destruction of brain tissue
Electrical Probing
Psychosurgery

33. Less Invasive Methods Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT Scan / CT Scan)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Functional MRI (fMRI)

39. The Brain Pinky & the Brain
made up of…
neurons
glial cells (or glia - support neural cells by insulating them, removing waste, etc.)
connective tissues
cerebrospinal fluid
can be divided into three major sections: hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain

40. "Playdough" brain

41. Brain Structures brain mneumonics
Be familiar with functions/roles.
Location / ability to label might be helpful, but not required.

42. Brainstem Pons - involved in sleep, arousal, facial recognition
Medulla Oblongata
located just above the spinal cord
involved in the control of heart rate, blood pressure, respiration.
Reticular Formation - arousal and ability to focus attention

43. Cerebellum coordinates voluntary muscle movements balance/coordination
injury = difficulty walking, keeping balance, shaking hands, etc.

44. Thalamus switchboard example
Receives sensory information and sends them to appropriate areas of forebrain.
Like a switchboard.
Everything but smell.

45. Limbic System #24 EMOTIONAL CONTROL CENTER of the brain.
Made up of Hypothalamus, Amygdala and Hippocampus.

46. Hypothalamus Pea sized in brain, but plays a not so pea sized role.
Body temperature
Hunger
Thirst
Sexual Arousal (libido)
Endocrine System

47. Hippocampus and Amygdala
Hippocampus is involved in forming new memories.
Amygdala is vital for our basic emotions.

48. Cerebral Cortex Top layer of our brain.
Contains wrinkles called fissures.
The fissures increase surface area of our brain.
Laid out it would be about the size of a large pizza.

49. Hemispheres Divided into a left and right hemisphere.
Contralateral controlled- left controls right side of body and vice versa.
Brain Lateralization.

50. Split-Brain Patients
Corpus Collosum attaches the two hemispheres of cerebral cortex.
right & left sides working together?
When removed (usually b/c of severe seizures) you have a split-brain patient. #5

51. Areas of the Cerebral Cortex
Divided into eight lobes, four in each hemisphere (frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal).
Any area not dealing with our senses or muscle movements are called association areas.

52. Frontal Lobe
Deals with planning, maintaining emotional control and abstract thought.
Contains Broca’s Area.
Broca’s Aphasia.
Contains Motor Cortex.

53. Parietal Lobes Located at the top of our head.
Contains the somato-sensory cortex.
Rest are association areas (intelligence!).

54. Occipital Lobes In the back of our head.
Handles visual input from eyes.
Right half of each retina goes to left occipital lobe and vice versa.

55. Temporal Lobes Process sound sensed by ears. Not lateralized.
Contains Wernicke’s area.
Wernicke’s Aphasia.

56. Brain Plasticity # 7
ability of our brains to form new connections (repair itself) after being damaged
the younger you are, the more “plastic” your brain is

58. The Endocrine System
a system of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
similar to nervous system, except hormones work a lot slower than neurotransmitters
Hormones
Neurotransmitters 58

59. Endocrine System System of glands that secrete hormones.
Controlled by the hypothalamus.
Ovaries and Testes.
Adrenal Gland
Epinephrine-energy boast (adrenaline)

60. So what’s the REAL significance of this chapter??
hold your stomach!