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Biological Bases of Behavior

Biological Bases of Behavior. Laurel McKay Period 1. Physiological Techniques. EEG- measures changes in brain electrical activity, can allow for localization of functions in the brain CAT Scans-make cross-sectional images of the brain

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Biological Bases of Behavior

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  1. Biological Bases of Behavior Laurel McKay Period 1

  2. Physiological Techniques • EEG- measures changes in brain electrical activity, can allow for localization of functions in the brain • CAT Scans-make cross-sectional images of the brain • MRI- similar to a CAT scan but generates more detailed pictures of the brain • Functional MRI’s and PET Scans allow scientists to view the brain as it is working, uses a diffusion of radioactive glucose in the brain to highlight the point of interest PET Scan

  3. Functional Organization of the Nervous System • Central Nervous System: brain & spinal cord • Peripheral Nervous System: all other nerves • Brain= central processing center for thoughts, motivations & emotions (made up of neurons) • In the spinal cord neurons are bundled together into nerves • Afferents=nerves sending info to the brain • Efferents=nerves conveying info from the brain • Most movements are controlled by the brain but some are controlled by transmission from afferent to efferent cells

  4. Functional Organization of the Nervous System (cont.) • The Peripheral Nervous System can be divided into: - Somatic Nervous System -Autonomic Nervous System • Somatic: responsible for voluntary movement of large skeletal muscles • Autonomic: controls the nonskeletal or smooth muscles (ex: in the heart and digestive tract)

  5. Functional Organization of the Nervous System (cont.) • Autonomic Nervous System divides into: • Sympathetic Nervous System • Parasympathetic Nervous System • Sympathetic: associated with processes that burn energy, fight or flight reaction • Parasympathetic: associated with conserving energy

  6. Neuroanatomy • Brain’s 3 regions: Forebrain, Midbrain, Hindbrain • Forebrain= limbic system, hypothalamus, thalamus & cerebral cortex • Limbic System: area of the brain involved in learning, emotion, and memory, includes the hippocampus (learning and memory formation), the amygdala (used when angry) , and the septum (used when fearful) • Hypothalamus: controls the temperature and water balance of the body & the ANS & the endocrine system • Thalamus: gateway for sensory input to the brain • Cerebral Cortex: outer layer of the brain, used in higher cognitive functions (thinking, language use, etc.)

  7. Neuroanatomy (cont.) • Midbrain=reticular activating system (consciousness, attention, wakefulness), processes sensory input • The midbrain, hindbrain, thalamus & hypothalamus form the brain stem (junction between the brain & spinal cord)

  8. Neuroanatomy (cont.) • Hindbrain=cerebellum, medulla oblongata & pons • Cerebellum: controls muscle tone and balance • Medulla Oblongata: controls heart rate, swallowing, breathing, and digestion • Pons: passes info from one brain to another • Cerebral Cortex: covers the outer surface of the brain • Corpus Callosum: a band of nerves that joins together the two halves of the brain

  9. Neuroanatomy (cont.) • Frontal Lobe: higher level thought and reasoning, contains the primary motor cortex • Parietal Lobe: somatosensory info, contains the primary somatosensory cortex (temp., pressure, texture and pain) • Temporal Lobe: auditory input • Occipital Lobe: visual input • Apraxia: inability to organize movement • Agnosia: inability to process sensory input • Alexia: the inability to read

  10. Neural Transmission • Nerves=bundles of neurons • Soma= cell body • Dendrites=branch out from the soma • Axon=a long, tube-like structure that responds to input from dendrites and soma • Myelin Sheath=fatty coating around the axon • Terminal buttons=knobs on the branched end of the axon

  11. Neural Transmission (cont.) • Resting potential: the electrical charge of a neuron at rest • Once the electrical charge reaches minus 50 millivolts the neuron will be ready to fire which leads to… • Action Potential: the nerve impulse/ sending the message • During action potential the axon membrane is pierced by ion channels, then sodium ions rush into the axon • After the impulse there is a negative after-potential (a drop in electrical charge below the resting potential) • Neurotransmitters: chemical messengers that cross the synapse (ex: acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine)

  12. Neural Transmission (cont.)

  13. Endocrine System • Relays info from one part of the body to another using glands that release hormones • Pituitary Gland: master gland, releases hormones to other glands, controlled by the hypothalamus • Adrenal gland secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) • Thyroid Gland: at the front of the neck, regulates metabolism

  14. Genetics • The application of principles of evolutionary theory to the study of behavior • Traits: distinctive characteristics or behavior patterns that are determined by genetics • A dominant trait is more likely to be expressed in offspring than a recessive trait • The environment influences us too • Nature vs. Nurture debate • Genetic Abnormalities cause disorders such as Down’s Syndrome (a break in the 21st chromosome)

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