1. Unit 3 – Biological Bases of Behavior (Neuroscience)
We can’t have the mind without the body!
Without your genes, your brain, your appearance - you would be nobody.
Our understanding of how the brain gives birth to the mind has come a long way.
Ancient Greek philosophers  Enlightenment/Scientific Revolution
Phrenology

2. Pseudoscience-based on false assumptions.
Just as I
Thought, low self esteem
Why can’t my skull bumps
be prettier?
Phrenology
Franz Gall-( )
Why so popular?
Individual ability to change and develop
Improved treatment of the insane (organic)
Encouraged people to think scientifically
These bumps and indentations on the skull, according to Gall, reflect specific areas of the brain that determine a person's emotional and intellectual functions. Gall called the study of these cranial hills and valleys "cranioscopy."
It is difficult to explain the early popularity of phrenology among scientists, since the empirical evidence for a direct relationship between the brain and character was scant. An unplanned experiment provided some solid evidence for such a relationship in 1848 when Phineas Gage's moral character changed dramatically after an explosion blew a tamping iron through his head
Pseudoscience-based on false assumptions.

4. Modern Science We are a collection of systems: Cells form organs
Organs form body systems (digestion, circulation, etc.)
Body systems make up the individual
Individuals are parts of families, cultures and communities
We are biopsychosocial systems!

5. We are going to start small and go big

6. Neurons: The Building Blocks of the Nervous System
Module 9: Neural and Hormonal Systems

7. Nervous System The electrochemical communication system of the body
Sends messages from the brain to the body for movement
Brings information to the brain from the senses

8. What are the primary parts of a typical neuron?
Nervous system
Neurons
Dendrites
Soma
Axon
Terminal branches of Axon
Myelin Sheath

9. Neuron The basic building block of the nervous system -- a nerve cell
Neurons perform three basic tasks
Receive information
Carry the information
Pass the information on to the next neuron

10. Neurons
Neurons “fire” -- send an impulse down their length -- or they don’t “fire”
Neurons come in a variety of shapes, sizes, etc.

11. Parts of the Neuron

12. Parts of the Neuron - Dendrites

13. Parts of the Neuron - Soma

14. Parts of the Neuron - Axon

15. Parts of the Neuron – Myelin Sheath

16. Parts of the Neuron - Terminals

17. Neuron

18. Neuron

19. Candy Neuron Activity
Sign up for what to bring

20. Neural Communication: The Neural Impulse

21. Action Potential
A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of the neuron.
A neural impulse
Considered an “on” condition of the neuron

22. Refractory Period
The “recharging phase” when a neuron, after firing, cannot generate another action potential
Once the refractory period is complete the neuron can fire again

23. Resting Potential
The state of a neuron when it is at rest and capable of generating an action potential
The neuron is set and ready to fire

27. Steps of Action Potential
Dendrites receive neurotransmitter from another neuron across the synapse.
Reached its threshold- then fires based on the all-or-none response.
Opens up a portal in axon, and lets in positive ions (Sodium) which mix with negative ions (Potassium) that is already inside the axon (thus Neurons at rest have a slightly negative charge).
The mixing of + and – ions causes an electrical charge that opens up the next portal (letting in more K) while closing the original portal.
Process continues down axon to the axon terminal.
Terminal buttons turns electrical charge into chemical (neurotransmitter) and shoots message to next neuron across the synapse.

28. Neuron firing like a Toilet
Like a Neuron, a toilet has an action potential. When you flush, an “impulse” is sent down the sewer pipe

29. Neuron firing like a Toilet
2. Like a neuron, a toilet has a refractory period. There is a short delay after flushing when the toilet cannot be flushed again because the tank is being refilled

30. Neuron firing like a Toilet
Like a Neuron, a toilet has a resting potential. The toilet is “charged” when there is water in the tank and it is capable of being flushed again
Like a Neuron, a toilet operates on the all-or-none principle – it always flushes with the same intensity, no matter how much force you apply to the handle

31. All-or-None Principle
The principle that if a neuron fires it will always fire at the same intensity
All action potentials are of the same strength.
A neuron does NOT fire at 30%, 45% or 90% but at 100% each time it fires.

32. Communication Between Neurons
Module 9: Neural and Hormonal Systems

33. Synapse
The tiny, fluid filled gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron
The action potential cannot jump the gap

34. Neurotransmitters
A chemical messenger that travels across the synapse from one neuron to the next
Can influence whether the second neuron will generate an action potential or not

35. Neurotransmitters

36. Common Neurotransmitters & Functions
Examples of Malfunctions
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Muscle action, learning, memory
Deterioration assoc with Alzheimer’s disease
Dopamine
Movement, learning, emotion, attention
Excess receptors assoc with Schizophrenia; Lack produces Pakinson’s disease
Serotonin
Mood, hunger, sleep, arousal
Undersupply linked to depression; Prozac used to raise levels
Norepinephrine
Controls alertness & arousal
Undersupply can depress mood
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
Major inhibitory NT
Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, insomnia
Glutamate
Major excitatory NT
Oversupply produces migraines/seizures.

40. Excitatory Effect
A neurotransmitter effect that makes it more likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential (impulse)
The second neuron is more likely to fire.

41. Inhibitory Effect
A neurotransmitter effect that makes it less likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential (impulse)
The second neuron is less likely to fire.

42. Threshold
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

43. How drugs alter neurotransmitters
Affected at the synapses by either blocking or amplifying NT activity.
AGONIST- amplify normal sensations of arousal or pleasure
ANTAGONIST- block NT functioning; can cause paralysis

44. How Neuron’s work video

45. Neuron Dance!

46. Neural Communication: The Neural Chain
Module 9: Neural and Hormonal Systems

47. Receptor Cells
Specialized cells in the sensory systems of the body that can turn other kinds of energy into action potentials that the nervous system can process
Receptor cells in the eye turn light into a neural impulse the brain understands.

48. Sensory Nerves (aka AFFERANT)
Nerves that carry information to the central nervous system
Connect the sense organs to the brain and spinal cord

49. Interneurons
Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for processing information related to sensory input and motor output

50. Motor Nerves (aka EFFERANT)
Nerves that carry information from the central nervous system
Carries messages from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of your body

51. A Neural Chain

52. A Neural Chain

53. A Neural Chain

54. A Neural Chain

55. A Neural Chain

56. The Structure of the Nervous System
Module 10: Neural and Hormonal Systems

57. The Nervous System

58. Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord
The brain is the location of most information processing.
The spinal cord is the main pathway to and from the brain.

59. Spinal Cord

60. Divisions of the Nervous System

61. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The sensory and motor nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Peripheral means “outer region”
The system is subdivided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

62. Divisions of the Nervous System

63. Somatic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
Contains the motor nerves needed for the voluntary muscles

64. Divisions of the Nervous System

65. Autonomic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs
Monitors the autonomic functions
Controls breathing, blood pressure, and digestive processes
Divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

66. Divisions of the Nervous System

67. Sympathetic Nervous System
The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to deal with perceived threats
Fight or flight response

68. Divisions of the Nervous System

69. Parasympathetic Nervous System
The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body
Brings the body back down to a relaxed state

70. Divisions of the Nervous System

71. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

72. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

73. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

74. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

75. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

76. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

77. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

78. The Nervous System and the Endocrine System

79. Endocrine System One of the body’s two communication systems.
A set of glands that produce hormones-- chemical messengers that circulate in the blood
receptor
Target Cell
secreting cell
Not a target cell
No receptor

80. Hormone
Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands and circulated in the blood
Similar to neurotransmitters in that they are also messengers
Slower communication system, but with longer lasting effects

81. Pituitary Gland
The endocrine system’s gland that, in conjunction with the brain, controls the other endocrine glands
Called the “master gland”
Located at the base of the brain and connects to the hypothalamus

82. Endocrine System – Pituitary Gland

83. Thyroid Gland
Endocrine gland that helps regulate the energy level in the body
Located in the neck

84. Endocrine System – Thyroid Gland

85. Adrenal Gland
Endocrine glands that help to arouse the body in times of stress
Located just above the kidneys
Release epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) – increase heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar.

86. Endocrine System – Adrenal Gland

87. Pancreatic Gland
Regulates the level of blood sugar in the blood

88. Endocrine System – Pancreatic Gland

89. Sex Glands
Ovaries (females) and testes (males) are the glands that influence emotion and physical development.
Testosterone – primary male hormone
Estrogen – primary female hormone
Males and females have both estrogen and testosterone in their systems.

90. Endocrine System – Sex Glands