1. The Central Nervous System
Ms. Sallo
AP Psychology
March 08, 2016

2. Central Nervous System (CNS)
Spinal cord
Reflex
Behavior
Relay station
Brain
Found in the skull
Used for protection
Also protected with a covering called meninges
It is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)- nourishes the brain and gives its nutrients

3. Spinal Cord Connects the brain to the rest of the body
Also enclosed in meninges and bathed in CSF
Relays messages from the brain to body and vice versa
When the spinal cord is damaged paralysis usually occurs

4. Looking Inside the Brain
Electroencephalograph (EEG)- a device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp
Looks at action potentials of the brain
Seen with brain damage, epilepsy and other neurological disorders

5. Lesioning- involves destroying a piece of the brain
Usually done to animals
Done by putting an electrode in the brain and burning the tissue to disable the structure

6. Looking Inside the Brain (cont.)
Electrical Stimulation of the Brain (ESB)- involves sending weak electrical current into a brain structure to stimulate (activate) it
Uses an electrode

7. Brain-Imaging Procedures
Computerized Tomography scan (CT Scan)- x- ray of the brain structure
Positron Emission tomography (PET Scan)- examine brain function
Tag activity in brain using chemicals
Color coded

8. Looking Inside the Brain (cont.)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields, radio waves and computers to map the brain structure 3D
Functional MRI (fMRI) monitor blood and oxygen flow in the brain to identify areas of high activity

9. The Brain The brain can be divided into 3 regions Hindbrain Midbrain
Forebrain
Brainstem- where the brain joins with the spinal cord

11. Def: includes the cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brain stem: the medulla and the pons
The medulla controls unconscious but vital functions
Breathing
Heart rate
Sneezing, etc.
The pons means bridge. It connects brainstem to the cerebellum
Circadian rhythm
Sleep and wake cycle
Cerebellum (little brain)
Reflex, coordination, balance
Typically depressed by alcohol
Hindbrain

12. Drunk Driving Tests!

13. Midbrain
Def: segment of the brainstem that lies between the hindbrain and the forebrain
Widening of the brainstem to support the forebrain
General Arousal controled by reticular formation

14. Forebrain
Def: the largest and most complex region of the brain, encompassing a variety of structures
Thalamus, hypothalamus, and limbic system are above the brainstem
Cerebrum- above the above 3 and deals with complex thought
Cerebral Cortex is the wrinkled outer layer

15. Forebrain- Thalamus
Relay station messages going from the sensory organs to the brain
Smell is the only one that does not go through this pathway

16. Forebrain- Hypothalamus
Involved in the regulation of basic biological needs
Fighting (body temp)
Fleeing
Feeding (hunger and thirst)
Mating (sexual arousal/libido)
Governess of emotion and motivational responses
Circadian cycle

17. Forebrain-Limbic System
Loosely connected network of structures
Hypothalamus- allows a transformation from short term memory to long them memory
Hippocampus- part of memory process which send memories to cerebral cortex
Amygdala- rage emotions, serious and extreme anger, fear
Pleasure centers

19. Cerebral Cortex Outer shelf of the brain Convolutions (wrinkly)
More surface area
Dual hemispheres
Right- sensory messages and controls motor skills of left part of body, spatial & creative
Left- sensory messages and controls motor skills of right part of body, logic, sequential tasks
Lobes- segments of the cortex that register sensory information

20. Cerebral Cortex (cont.)
Corpus Callosum- connects the two cerebral hemispheres
Split Brain- also affects language
Each hemisphere is divided into 4 lobes

21. Occipital Lobe At the back of the head
Where most visual signals are sent and visual processing is begun
AKA Primary visual cortex

22. Parietal lobe Forward to the occipital lobe
Sense of touch and position in space
AKA Somatosensory cortex

23. Temporal lobe Near the temples Devoted to auditory processing
Below parietal lobes
Devoted to auditory processing
AKA primary auditory cortex
Can impair language
Wernicke’s area- written and spoken speech

24. Frontal Lobe Broca’s Area- involved in muscles for speech
Found only in humans
AKA primary motor cortex-Control movement of muscles
Prefrontal cortex is the front portion of the motor cortex
Executive control system that monitors, organizes and directs thought processes, abstract emotional thoughts
Broca’s Area- involved in muscles for speech

25. Phineas Gage 1848 Railroad worker who uses dynamite to clear land
A pole of iron went through his skull under his left eye
His personality changed- lost control of emotions
Realized that it hit his frontal lobe which messed up his self awareness and planning!

27. Neural Plasticity The brain is plastic (malleable)
1. aspects of experience can sculpt features of brain structure
Musicians have enlarged parts of the brain depending on what instrument they use!
2. Damage to incoming pathways or the destruction of brain tissue can lead to neural reorganization
Healthy neurons attempt to pick up the slack of the damaged neurons
3. adult brains can generate new neurons