Psychobiology
Biological basis of the thought and behavior
Nervous System
Brain, spinal cord, neurons.
One of the body's communication system. It's brain > body, body > brain
Endocrine System
Hormones
Genetics
Inherited traits, genes, DNA, chromosomes
Neurons
'long string' - Pass out the messages. One neuron can send/receive thousands of messages.
Demtrites
Receive info from other neurons
Impulse
Information, message. (transferred from one neuron to another)
Axon
Takes impulse from receiving (left) end to the sending (right) end, axon covered in myelin sheath
Myelin Sheath
Material covers axon (if there's a problem, it's noticeable) helps move everything fast
Nodes of Ravior
Dips" in the myelin sheath
Axon Terminal
Path after axon separate into different channels
Terminal Bouton
End of axon terminal, containing synthetic vessels. Synthetic vessels contain neurotransmitters
Synaptic Gap
Space between two 'neighbor' neurons
Glial Cells
a)holds neurons on place
b)provide nourishment
c)removes waste
d)part of myelin sheath
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons
Acetylcholine
Motor movement memory
e.g. Alzheimer's - memory degenerates, the death of brain cells
Dopamine
Voluntary movement, emotion, alertness
i)too much dopamine - schizophrenia
ii)too little dopamine - Parkinson's (tremors, muscle rigidity)
Eurodophins
Pain killers, when one gets hurt, it alleviates the pain
Serotonin
Mood control
i) too little serotonin - depression
Neurotransmitter Excitatory
Tell the next neuron to fire (send message)
Neurotransmitter Inhibitory
(inhibit) tell neuron to hold back from fire. Doesn't stay in receptorcite for long. After it sends its massage and completes its job, it goes back to neurom it originated from so it can be re-used again to send other messages.
Resting Potential
In neuron, Before activity begins, at base level, (and -)
Threshold of Excitation
The level an impulse must exceed to cause a neuron to fire
Action Potential
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. The action potential is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane
Brain
The command center. The brain is aware of everything going on in the body. It constantly sends messages to the body primarily through the spinal cord
Spinal Cord
Main messenger. Bundle of nerve fibers tangled. Rope-like. Spinal cord is like a telephone wire. If you cut it, the spinal cord can't communicate with the rest of the body
Spinal Column
The spinal cord runs through the spinal column
Vertebrae
Round disc-like bones that are hollow. Its empty inside so the spinal cord can run up and down
Reflexes
Not controlled by your brain. Automatic reaction. (similar to instinct) bypasses the brain not to waste any time.
e.g. touch hot pot > message to spinal cord > spinal cord sends message back. At the same time sends message to brain letting it know about t
Afferent/Sensory neurons
Messages from 5 senses > brain
Efferent/Motor neurons
From the brain > part of body that moves
Peripheral Nervous System
All the "side" neurons. Everything else. Made of two sub-systems- constantly working together
Somatic Nervous System
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system Enables voluntary actions
Autonomic Nervous System
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Controls involuntary activity
Sympathetic Nervous system
Branch of the autonomic nervous system (part of peripheral n.s.) that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats
Parasympathetic Nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Limbic System
The hypothalamus, the hippocampus, and the amygdala- part of the brain that are concerned especially with emotion
Thalamus
Part of limbic system. A structure in the forebrain through which all sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the cerebral cortex.
maintains homeostasis > eating , hormones, and temperature. regular body temperature 98.6F regulated with swe
Hippocampus
A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process memories for storage
Procedural Memory
A type of implicit memory that involves motor skills and behavioral habits - how to preform a task
Anterograde Amnesia
An inability to form new memories
Amygdala
A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression. Regulated intensity
Cerebral Cortex
Is the cerebrum's outer layer of nerve cell bodies which look like "gray matter" because it lacks myelin
Myelin (... as in sheath)
An insulating layer that encloses axons
Cerebrum
Covers lymbic system. is divided into two hemispheres, left hemisphere and right hemisphere. Covered both hemispheres is the cerebral cortex. it takes in thought, vision, language, memory and emotions. takes 80% of the skull
Cerebral Cortex
70% of the central nervous system is the cerebral cortex. Most of developed part in the human brain that animals don't have this part of the brain. and intricate design waves and dips (wrinkles) called convolutions enables it to fit inside the head
Frontal Lobe
(forehead) Main part, take 50% of cerebral cortex, voluntary movement. Forehead controls attention span and helps make decisions, keep track of your attention span. Puts together all other parts information. Tells you what you've done and what you'll do
Primary Motor Cortex
Brain structure that controls voluntary movements; located in the frontal lobes
Parietal Lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.sensory information
Somatosensory cortex
A brain area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body sensations. registers the sensory
Temporal Lobe
An area in cerebral cortex that is the primary receiving area for hearing
Occupational Lobe
An area in cerebral cortex processing sensory info from eyes; vision
Left Hemisphere
Controls language, math, and logic
Broca's Area
In frontal lobe, controls language expression
Aphasia
Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding
Wernike's Area
An area in the Temporal lobe that is crucial to our ability to interpret both written and spoken language. helps understanding written and verbal language
Right Hemisphere
Gets sensory messages and controls motor skills of the left side of the body. More spatial and creative side
Corpus Callosum
A thick band of neurons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and acts as a communication link between them
Endocrine System
Uses a system of hormones (the messengers) and glands (ish-type of organ) in order to communicate
Pituitary Gland
Located in brain and controls the endocrine system.
Functions: (these may also be controlled by other systems as well as others) Growth, Reproduction, Metabolism, Mood, Energy Levels
Hormones
Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
Glands
Cells that release hormones into the blood to regulate growth and definition. part of endocrine system
Adrenal Gland
Glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress
Thyroid
In neck, controls body metabolism
Pituitary Gland
(a.k.a. Master Gland) Involved in growth
Pancreas
Secretes insulin
Diabetes (Type I + II)
Pancreas does not make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body can't respond normally to the insulin that is made (type 2 diabetes)