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The Nervous Systems

The Nervous Systems. Psychology I. Central Nervous System . Brain Spinal Cord Spinal Reflexes- simple automatic responses to something . Peripheral Nervous System. Somatic Nervous System- Enables us to experience sensations such as hot or cold.

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The Nervous Systems

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  1. The Nervous Systems Psychology I

  2. Central Nervous System • Brain • Spinal Cord • Spinal Reflexes- simple automatic responses to something.

  3. Peripheral Nervous System • Somatic Nervous System- • Enables us to experience sensations such as hot or cold. • Alerts us that parts of the body have changed position. • Helps to maintain balance and posture

  4. Peripheral Nervous System • Autonomic Nervous System- • Sympathetic-activated when someone is going into action because of a stressful event. (fight or flight response) • Parasympathetic-restores the body’s reserves of energy after an action has occurred.

  5. Neurons • A nerve cell that is the building block of the cell. • Neurons are specialized to transmit information through the body. • Neurons stop reproducing shortly after birth. • HOWEVER….There are new connections that form throughout life

  6. Neural Communication • Electrical and Chemical • Dendrites and axons are designed to transmit and receive information. • The connections between cells are called synapses

  7. Neural Communication • They need to transmit information from one cell to another. • The dendrites receive information from other neurons. • It is then passed on to the cell body and message is carried Away to the Axon. • It then travels down the length of the axon as an electrical signal

  8. Synapses • When the signal reaches the end of the axon, it needs to reach the dendrites of another neuron • The synapse is the “bridge” to another neuron • “syn” means to join together • Sometimes, it is a chemical message-a neurotransmitter-that is needed to send the message to another neuron through the synapse

  9. Neurotransmitters • Essential part of everyday functioning • Scientists have identified more than 100 of these chemical messengers • Neurotransmitters replaced the ancient idea of the 4 humors

  10. Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Associated with memory, muscle contractions and learning. • A lack of acetylcholine is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

  11. Neurotransmitters • Dopamine • Controls brain’s reward and pleasure center. • A lack of dopamine could result in Parkinson’s disease while too much could result in Schizophrenia. • Linked to addiction. • Caffeine increases dopamine levels just like heroin and cocaine.

  12. Neurotransmitters • Endorphins • Associated with pain perception and emotions. • Body releases endorphins in response to fear or trauma. • Similar to morphine but even stronger! • Runner’s high. More exercise=more endorphins • Certain foods trigger release: chocolate and spicy foods

  13. Neurotransmitters • Serotonin • Helps maintain mood, sleep memory and learning etc. • There is a correlation between low levels of serotonin and depression, anxiety and fatigue. • Some foods can help like bananas and turkey. • Exercise also seems to increase levels of serotonin. • Migraines and motion sickness can also be a result of low serotonin levels

  14. The Brain • Composed of many parts that organize our movements, create our thoughts, form our emotions and produce our behaviors. • Divided into 3 Sections: • The lower level: medulla, pons and cerebellum • The middle level: Limbic system includes the amygdala, hypothalamus and reticular formation. • The outer level: the cerebrum and cerebral cortex.

  15. The Brain- Cerebral Cortex • Left and right hemispheres • Left-logic, language, mathematical computations, problem solving. • Right-creativity, imagination, spatial relations, feelings

  16. Methods of Studying the Brain • Accidents • Electrical stimulation of the brain • Electroencephalogram (EEG)-a device that studies the electrical activity of the brain. • Scans-CAT, MRI and PET

  17. CAT EEG fMRI PET MRI

  18. Don’t Forget… • The Central Nervous System is made up of what? • The Peripheral Nervous System includes…? • Which system controls sensations? • Which system controls fight or flight reactions? • Neurons are composed of what parts? • Chemical messengers are called ……? • The bridge to another neuron is the…..?

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