1. THE BIOLOGY OF MIND
Cognition

2. DO NOW: Is the “brain” important in Psychology?
How might brain functions shape our personality?
Terms to Know:
Neurons
Neurotransmitters
Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Parts & Functions of the Brain
Limbic System
Phineas Gage

3. BIOLOGY, BEHAVIOR, & MIND
Aristotle = Heart
To think, feel, and act without a body is like…
Where is the MIND?
Plato = Head
Biological Perspective::
The interplay of biology, behavior and the mind

4. NEURONS Dendrite fibers [ Listen ] Receive info & give it to cell body
= nerve cells
Axon fibers [ Speak ]
Send info to other neurons
Action potential
Myelin Sheath
Protective covering over axons
Fatty tissue that insulates and speeds impulse
Grows up to about age25 – impacts judgment, self-control, and neural efficiency
multiple sclerosis – loss of muscle control

5. NEURAL COMMUNICATION Synapse [ Lock & Key ] Neurotransmitters impact:
Hunger, Thirst, Emotions
Don’t operate in isolation
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Opiate receptors
Endorphins – natural pain killers
Release Neurotransmitter
Binds to receptor site
Reuptake extra neurons by sending neuron
Agonist : Amplifies normal sensations of pleasure
Antagonist: Blocks a neurotransmitters functioning – similar enough to fill receptor site but not enough to stimulate it

6. Nerves = Electrical Cables
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Nerves = Electrical Cables
Link CNS to sensory receptors
The electro-chemical communication network
made up of all the nerve cells of the PNS & CNS
CNS (Central Nervous System)
Brain & Spinal Cord
PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)
Gathers info & Transmits decision from the CNS
Sensory & Motor System
Sensory neuron carries message to spinal cord
Motor neuron: carries instructions to the muscle
Interneuron: Brain’s internal network
More on CNS in a bit…
Somatic N.S. - voluntary
Automatic N.S. – i.e. heartbeat
Sympathetic N.S. – alarms
Parasympathetic – conserves
Keep body regulated

7. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)
1. BRAIN
Allows us to learn
Strengthens connections between neurons
2. SPINAL CORD
2 way highway between PNS & Brain
Motor info Sensory Info
How can this be demonstrated?
3. ENDOCRINE system
Hormones
Very slow moving; lasts longer at times
ANS orders adrenal glands to release epinephrine & norepinephrine = increase in heart rate, bp, blood sugar
Pituitary gland
Controlled by hypothalamus
Stimulates physical development
Oxytocin (bonding), Cortisol (stress)

8. THE BRAIN Cerebellum Nonverbal learning & memory
Judges time, monitors emotions, discriminates texture and sound
Reticular Formation
Sorts through stimuli
Relays info to other areas of the brain
Brainstem
Medulla
Heartbeat & Breathing
Cross-over point
Body x Brain
Thalamus
Sensory switchboard
Receives all senses (but smell)
Directs info to medulla & cerebellum
Cerebral Cortex
thin layer of interconnected neural cells
Motor Cortex – Controls voluntary movement
Sensory Cortex – Processes body touch and movement sensations
Association areas – neurons involved in higher functioning ( speaking, remembering, thinking, learning, etc.)
Parietal Lobe – Touch & body position
Frontal Lobe – Speaking, muscle movement, making plans & judgments
Occipital Lobe – Receiving info from visual field (eyes)
Temporal Lobe – Auditory info (ears)

9. LIMBIC SYSTEM Amygdala “Fight or Flight” Hypothalus
Hunger, Thirst, Temp
Sends hormones
Hippocampus
Memory

10. CASE STUDY: PHINEAS GAGE

11. Divided Brain BRAIN’S PLASTICITY Ability to modify itself after damage
once neuron is destroyed that’s it!
BUT neural tissue can reorganize itself
What does that mean?
Corpus Collosum – band connecting 2 hemispheres
Split Brain
Left: Literal
Rights: Infers, Speech, Sense of self
Divided Brain