1. Chapter 2: Neuroscience
Study of brain basis of thought and behavior
Nervous system(s): responsible for detecting, processing, and responding to external signals.

2. The Nervous System: Structure and Function (2 of 2)
LO 2.5 Identify each division of the nervous system.

3. Figure 2.4 The Actions of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together to produce physiological arousal when under threat, and then return the body to its natural resting state, once the threat is removed or resolved.

4. The Nervous System: Structure and Function (1 of 2)
LO 2.5 Identify each division of the nervous system.
The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) carries information from the CNS to organs and parts of the body
Three types of neurons:
Sensory (afferent) neurons carry information toward the CNS from the sensory organs
Motor (efferent) neurons carry information away from the CNS to operate muscles and glands
Interneurons send information between sensory neurons and motor neurons

5. Figure 2.2 The Withdrawal Reflex
The withdrawal reflex is a simple reflex involving a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron and can take place outside of conscious awareness.

6. Figure 3.1 A Neuron with a Myelin Sheath

7. The Structure and Function of a Neuron
LO 1.1 Identify the anatomy and function of a neuron.
Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system
Dendrites catch the signal from the previous neuron
The soma houses the cell’s genetic information
The axon carries information down to the end of the neuron
The myelin sheath speeds up the transmission of information down the axon
The terminal button contains the chemicals that enable neurons to “talk” to each other
Video:

8. Synaptic Plasticity and Neurogenesis
LO 2.4 Distinguish the concepts of synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis.
The brain can adapt and change over time, also called synaptic plasticity.
Synaptic plasticity is involved in learning, memory, and mood regulation.
Neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons, mostly occurs prenatally.
However, some areas of the brain continue to “grow” new neurons throughout life.
Video:

10. Figure 3.2 Synaptic Transmission

11. Figure 3.3 The Action Potential

12. Communication Between Neurons
LO 2.2 Explain how neurons communicate with one another.
At first, the neural impulse is an electrical event, but when it reaches the end of the neuron, it becomes a chemical event
After an action potential, there is a refractory period, where the neuron is “resting” and not able to fire again
A neuron can “fire” by passing the signal to the next neuron (excitatory), or it can hold its fire (inhibitory)
Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers of the nervous system
Video:
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13. Types of Neurotransmitters
LO 2.3 Recognize the effects of neurotransmitters on behavior.
Neurotransmitters
Excitatory or Inhibitory
Primary Function
Outcomes of Malfunction
Acetylcholine
Both
Arousal; attention and memory; muscle contractions
Low Levels: Alzheimer’s disease
Dopamine
Excitatory
Feelings of pleasure; learning and movement; movement
Low levels: Parkinson’s disease, depression
High levels: Schizophrenia
Serotonin
Arousal and sleep; mood; appetite
Low levels: Depression, anxiety
High levels: Serotonin syndrome
Norepinephrine
Alertness and arousal; mood
Low levels: Depression, bipolar
High levels: Agitation
GABA
Inhibitory
Sleep; inhibits movement
Low levels: Insomnia, seizures, tremors, anxiety, depression
Glutamate
Learning and memory; synaptic plasticity
High levels: Migraines, seizures, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease
Endorphins
Blocks pain signals, produces pleasure, regulates immune system
Low levels: Depression
High levels: Runner’s high

14. Figure 3.4 The Lock-and-Key Model of Neurotransmitter Binding to Receptor Sites

15. Figure 3.8 Major Structures of the Brain

16. The Anatomy of the Brain
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17. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

18. Figure 2.6 Limbic System Structures
The limbic system includes a diverse set of brain structures involved in emotion, internal drives, and memory.

19. Figure 2.7 The Cerebral Cortex and the Lobes of the Brain
Our brain is divided into two hemispheres, with each half containing four lobes, or areas. Each lobe is responsible for different but important parts of functioning.

20. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Cortical Lobes
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

21. The famous case of Phineas Gage: Importance of frontal lobe in executive functions.

22. Figure Representation of the Body Mapped onto the Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cerebral Cortex

23. Figure 3.9 The Cerebral Hemispheres and the Corpus Callosum

24. The Divided Brain
LO 2.10 Recognize the functional impairments that occur in a split brain patient.
The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres (or halves) of our brain
The right hemisphere controls the movement of the left side of the body and vice versa, which is known as contralateral control
For 95% of people language appears to be dominant in the left side of the brain
Callosotomy as a possible treatment for severe epilepsy led to split-brain research
Video: a_demonstration_of_contralateral_control
Video:

25. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Split-Brain Research
When a split-brain patient is asked to stare straight ahead while a photo of a fork is flashed to his left visual field, he cannot name it.
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

26. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
Split-Brain Research
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

27. Table 3. 3 Which Side of Our Brain Do We Use for What. LO 3
Table 3.3 Which Side of Our Brain Do We Use for What? LO 3.4b Evaluate results concerning the brain’s localization of function.
Left Hemisphere
Right Hemisphere
Fine-tuned language skills
• Speech comprehension
• Speech production
• Phonology
• Syntax
• Reading
• Writing
Actions
• Making facial expressions
• Motion detection
Coarse language skills
• Simple speech
• Simple writing
• Tone of voice
Visuospatial skills
• Perceptual grouping
• Face perception
Source: Based on Gazzaniga, M. S. (2000). Cerebral specialization and interhemispheric
communication: Does the corpus callosum enable the human condition? Brain, 123, 1293–1326; M. Gazzaniga & J. E. LeDoux (1978). The Integrated Mind. New York: Plenum Press.

28. A Tour of Brain-Mapping Methods (2 of 6) LO 3
A Tour of Brain-Mapping Methods (2 of 6) LO 3.4a Identify different brain-stimulating, -recording, and -imaging techniques.
Electroencephalograph
Measures electrical activity via electrodes placed on skull
Can tell which regions of the brain are active during specific tasks 28

30. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E
© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

31. A Tour of Brain-Mapping Methods (4 of 6) LO 3
A Tour of Brain-Mapping Methods (4 of 6) LO 3.4a Identify different brain-stimulating, -recording, and -imaging techniques.
Positron emission tomography (PET) measures consumption of glucose-like molecules to give a picture of neural activity.
Functional MRI (fMRI) uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity.
These both measure structure and function.