1 / 14

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

ranger
Download Presentation

Biological Bases of Behavior

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  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)

More Related