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The Brain. And its Functions. Neuron. Neural Impulse / Action Potential. All or none = the least amount of energy needed to start the motion Action Potential = the movement of neural activity Refractory Period = the time where no motion can occur (no energy)
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The Brain And its Functions
Neural Impulse / Action Potential • All or none = the least amount of energy needed to start the motion • Action Potential = the movement of neural activity • Refractory Period = the time where no motion can occur (no energy) • Rest Potential = the time where the neuron is waiting to move
Neurons (cont.) • Neurons are nerve cells that transmit nerve signals to and from the brain throughout the body • A typical neuron has about 1,000 to 10,000 synapses • There are about 100 billion neurons in the brain.
Neurons (cont.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWS32l3dTsM
Neurons (cont.) • Part – Function • Dendrite - treelike extensions at the beginning of a neuron that help increase the surface area of the cell body and are covered with synapses. These receive information from other neurons and transmit electrical stimulation to the soma • Cell Body - where the signals from the dendrites are joined and passed on. The cell body does not play an active role in the transmission of the neural signal; instead, keeps the neuron alive.
Neurons (cont.) • Part – Function • Axon - the elongated fiber that extends from the cell body to the terminal endings and transmits the neural signal. The larger the axon, the faster it transmits information • Myelin Sheath - fatty substance called myelin that acts as an insulator. These myelinated axons transmit information much faster than other neurons • Axon terminal – at the end of the neuron and are responsible for sending the signal on to other neurons (through synapses)
Synapse – small gap at the end of a neuron that allows information to pass from one neuron to the next Neurotransmitter – is a chemical messenger that sends and moderates signals between neurons and other cells in the body (Acetylcholine, GABA, Serotonin, Dopamine, etc.) Receptor – an area on the dendrite where neurotransmitters bind Reuptake – is the process of unused neurotransmitters being taken back into the axon terminal Synapse
Neurons (cont.) • There are different types of neurons, which all carry electro-chemical nerve signals throughout the Central Nervous System (CNS) • Sensory neurons or Afferent neurons carry messages from the body's sense receptors (eyes, ears, etc.) to the CNS. • Motorneurons or Efferent neurons carry signals from the CNS to the muscles and glands. • Interneurons are the neural wiring within the CNS. These have two axons.
Neurons (cont.) Interneurons
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Parts of Brain • Frontal Lobe • Parietal Lobe • Temporal Lobe • Occipital Lobe • Corpus Callosum • Longitudinal fissure • Motor Cortex • Wernicke’s Area • Broca Area • Brain Stem • Reticular Formation • Medulla • Pons • Thalamus • Cerebellum • Hypothalamus • Hippocampus • Amygdala • Pituitary Gland
Hemispheres • Right =Random; Intuitive; Holistic; Synthesizing; Subjective; Looks at whole • Left =Logical; Sequential; Rational; Analytical; Objective; Looks at parts • Corpus Callosum = tissue that connects the two sides of the brain and allows communication
Central Core Corpus Callosum • Life Sustaining Center Thalamus Brainstem
Central Core • Thalamus = “The Relay Station” in the brain: sensory signals, auditory, visual, somatosensory (touch) • Medulla = helps control the body's autonomic functions like respiration, digestion and heart rate • Cerebellum = deals with movement through regulation and coordination of bodily movements, posture and balance • Pons = monitors the level of stimulation or consciousness and sleep (while asleep) • Reticular Formation = monitors the state of the body and functions in such processes as arousal and sleep and attention and muscle tone (FS/WU)
Limbic System • Manages functions: memory; eating; sleeping
Limbic System • Hippocampus = primary role is in memory formation, classifying information, long-term memory • Amygdala (AH-mig-doll-la) = stores & classifies emotionally charged memories, as well as plays a role in producing our emotions, especially fear and anger. Triggers responses to strong emotions; causes sweaty palms, increased heart-beat & stress hormone release • Hypothalamus =linked with the pituitary gland (hormones). Monitors & controls your circadian rhythms (your daily sleep/wake cycle), homeostasis (making sure your body is running smoothly), appetite, thirst • Pituitary Gland = “master gland” for the endocrine system – send hormones – mainly for growth and development
Cerebral Cortex • Control & Processing Center
Cerebral Cortex • Frontal Lobe = responsible for functions such as reasoning, problem solving, judgment, impulse control (develops later than most parts and area most susceptible to drugs & alcohol) • Parietal Lobe involved in processing pain & touch sensation. Where the somatosensory (from your skin and internal organs) Cortex resides. Associated with cognition (including calculating location & speed of objects), movement, orientation, recognition & speech • Occipital Lobe = controls visual sensation and processing • Temporal Lobe = involved in auditory (sound) sensation
Language Area Motor Cortex Broca Wernicke
Language Areas • Broca = speech production; facial and mouth control; and language Processing (language output) • Wernicke = language Comprehension; semantic Processing; language Recognition; and language Interpretation (language structure) • Motor Cortex = movement of mouth - pronounce/hands