03.+Biological+Bases+of+Behavior

//Neuroanatomy// is the study of the parts and function of neurons. //Neurons// are individual nerve cells. These cells make up our entire nervous system. Picture of a neuron:
 * NEUROANATOMY**

In a resting state a neuron has an overall slightly negative charge because negative ins are within the call and mostly positive ions are surrounding it.
 * How a Neuron "Fires"**

Neurotransmitters are chemicals held in the terminal buttons that travel in the synaptic gap between neurons. Excitatory: excite the next cell into firing Inhibitory: the inhibit the next cell from firing The amount and type of neurotransmitters received on the receptor sites of the neuron determine whether it will pass the threshold and fire. Humans sense the world because of the nervous system. This system brings information from our senses to our brain.Several typles neurons exist to act as wires to send impulses through our body. Afferent neurons take information for the senses to the brain. Once information has reached the brain or spinal cord, interneurons take the message and send them elsewhere in the brain or on to efferent neurons. These neurons take information from the brain to the rest of the body.
 * Neurotransmitters**
 * Neurotransmitters Important to Psychologists**
 * Neurotransmitter || Function || Problems Associated with and Excess or Deficit ||
 * Acetylcholine || Motor movement || Lack of acetylcholine is associated with Alzheimer's disease ||
 * Dopamine || Motor movement and alterness || Lack of dopamine is associated with Parkinson's disease. An overabundance is associated with schizophrenia ||
 * Endorphins || Pain control || Involved in addictions ||
 * Serotonin || Mood control || Lack of serotonin is associated with clinical depression ||
 * NERVOUS SYSTEM**
 * Afferent Neurons (Sensory Neurons)**
 * Interneurons**
 * Efferent Neurons (Motor Neurons)**

The CNS consists of our brain and spinal cord.
 * The Central Nervous System**

The PNS consists of all the other nerves in your body. This system can be divided into two categories: the somatic and the autonomic nervous system. SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- controls out voluntary muscle movement. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- controls the automatic functions of the body. It is also responsible for the fight or flight response that prepares our body to respond to a perceived threat. This nervous system can be divided into two parts: SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- mobilizes our body to respond to stress and carries messages to control systems of the organs, glands, and muscles that direct our body's response to stress. PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- responsible for slowing down our body after a stress response. It carries messages to the stress response system that causes our body to slow down.
 * The Peripheral Nervous System**

The brain is possibly the most relevant part of biology to psychologists. As far as researchers can tell, the brain controls most of human thought and behavior. To observe and study how the brain works, scientists use several types of machines to study structure and function. Hindbrain- the structure on the top part of the spinal cord. Consists of the medulla, pons and cerebellum. Medulla- involved in the control of our blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Pons- connects the hindbrain with the midbrain and forebrain. It is also involved in the control of facial expressions. Cerebellum- coordinates some habitual muscle movements. MIDBRAIN- coordinates simple movements with sensory information FOREBRAIN- areas of the forebrain control what we think of as thought and reason. Specific areas of interest in this section of the brain include the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus Thalamus- responsible for receiving sensory signal comping up the spinal cord and sending them to the appropriate areas in the rest of the forebrain. Hypothalamus- controls several metabolic functions, including body temperature, sexual arousal, hunger, thirst, and the endocrine system. Amygdala- vital to our experiences of emotion Hippocampus- vital to our memories ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM- An EEG detects brain waves. This machine is widely used in sleep research. COMPUTERIZED AXIAL TOMOGRAPHY- A CAT or CT scan is a sophisticated X-ray that rotates around the brain to create a detailed 3-D picture of the brain's structure. These machines can be used when trying to detect a tumor. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING- An MRI is similar to a CAT scan. The MRI however, uses different technology to create more detailed images and can only give doctors information of the structure of the brain. POSITION EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY- A PET scan allows researchers see what ares of the brain are most active during certain tasks. This can also measure how much of a certain chemical parts of the brain are using. FUNCTIONAL MRI- An fMRI is new technology that combines elements of the MRI and PET scans. This can show details of brain structure with information about blood flow in the brain. Hemispheres The left hemisphere gets sensory messages and controls the motor function of the right half of the body. The right hemisphere gets sensory message and controls the motor function of the left half of the body. //Brain lateralization// or //hemispheric specialization-// the specialization of function in each hemisphere //Association areas//- any area of the cerebral cortex that is not associates with receiving sensory information or controlling muscle movement. FRONTAL LOBES //Prefrontal cortex-// anterior or front of the frontal lobe. This part plays a critical role in directing thought process, foreseeing consequences, pursuing gals and maintaining emotional control. In most people the front love in the left hemisphere contains on of the two special areas responsible for language processing: //Broca’s area//- responsible for controlling the muscles involved in producing speech. //Wernicke’s area//- located in the temporal lobe PARIETAL LOBES //Sensory cortex//- receives incoming touch sensations from the rest of our body OCCIPTAL LOBES Functions to interpret messages from our eyes in our visual cortex. TEMPERAL LOBES Process sounds sensed by our ears. The endocrine system is a network of glands that secrete hormones. This system is controlled by the hypothalamus. //Turner’s syndrome-// //Kineflter’s syndrome-// //Down syndrome-//
 * BRAIN**
 * Brain Structures**
 * Cerebral Cortex**
 * Brain Plasticity**
 * ENDOCRINE SYSTEM**
 * Adrenal Glands**- Prepare the body for a flight or fight response
 * Chromosomal Abnormalities**