Neuroscience and Biological Foundations

Introduction to PsychologyMercer County Community College

Chapter One Overview Our Genetic Inheritance Neural Bases of Behavior Nervous System Organization A Tour Through the Brain

Our Genetic Inheritance

Our Genetic Inheritance To understand how heredity and environment

affect us, psychologist turn to ______________. To understand the how the natural process of

adapting to our environment affects us, psychologist turn to ____________________.

Neuroscience is◦ historically a branch of Biology ◦ the combining of disciplines (fields) of study to further

understand behavioral and mental processes. ◦ Check out the Society for Neuroscience (www.sfn.org)

Biology of HeredityEach egg and sperm cell contains 23 chromosomes.◦First 22 pairs are called autosomes ◦23rd pair are known as the sex

chromosomes◦XX = Girl & XY = Boy

Biology of Heredity (cont’d)

Our body has many cells, each cell contains a nucleus Each cell nucleus contains 23 pairs of chromosomes

(i.e., 46 chromosomes) Chromosomes make up our DNA DNA (Deoxyribonucleic)

◦ The genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses.

Quieting the Nature vs. Nurture debate Heredity or Environment

◦ Aggressiveness◦ Intelligence◦ Sociability

To further understand the underpinnings (formation) of complex traits, ____________ studies are especially beneficial.

Twins are:◦ Monozygotic – Identical – One egg was shared◦ Dizygotic – Fraternal Twins – Two eggs

Charles Darwin 1809-1882 Theory of Evolution Natural Selection

Evolutionary Psychology

Neural Bases of Behavior

The Neuron (basic unit of brain)

Dendrite Axon Myelin sheath Terminal buttons Neurotransmitters Synapse

How information travels through the Neuron

D – C – A

Dendrite Cell Body Axon

The Communication of Neurons

Neuron Dendrite Axon Myelin Terminal buttons Neurotransmitters Synapse

Neurotransmitter Serotonin Acetylcholine (Ach) Dopamine Norepinephrine Epinephrine Gamma amniobutyric acid (GABA) Endorphins

The Endocrine System The endocrine system is made up of

________. Instead of neurotransmitters, the endocrine

system uses ________________ to carry messages.

The endocrine system does the following:◦ Regulates◦ Maintains ongoing bodily processes (e.g.,

digestion, elimination)◦ Control the body’s response to emergencies

The Endocrine System (cont’d)

What are glands?

What type of glands exist in The Endocrine System?

The Endocrine System (cont’d)

What type of glands exist in The Endocrine System?◦ Parathyroid – helps regulate calcium in the blood◦ Pineal – helps regulate sleep cycle and body

rhythms◦ Pituitary- influences growth and lactation◦Hypothalamus – controls the pituitary◦ Thyroid – controls metabolism◦Adrenal- arouses the body, helps respond to

stress, regulates salt balance, and some sexual functioning

Nervous System Organization

The Nervous System (process information and adapt to our

environment) The Nervous System is divided into two main

branches; the CNS and the PNS

◦ Central Nervous System (CNS) Consists of the Brain and Spinal Cord Directs mental and basic life processes

◦ Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) All nerves and neurons connecting the CNS to the rest of

the body Carries information to an from the central nervous

system (message carrier / action potentials)

Is our brain capable of change / repair?

Is our brain capable of change / repair………______!

Neuro plasticity ◦ Neuro = Greek “Nervous System”◦ Plasticity = Capability of being molded

Neuro genesis ◦ Neuro = Greek “Nervous System”◦ Genesis = Origin, Creation, Beginning

A Tour Through The Brain

The Human Brain

The Brain Cerebral Cortex Hemispheres Corpus Callosum Frontal Cortex

The Human Brain The fact that brain structures have specialties / specialized to perform certain tasks is known as _____________.

The Human Brain

The brainstem (connected to the spinal cord), includes:◦The Hindbrain◦The Midbrain◦The Forebrain

The Human BrainThe Hindbrain

◦Medulla ◦Pons ◦Cerrebellum

The Human BrainThe Midbrain

◦Reticular formation

The Human BrainThe Forebrain

◦Thalamus ◦Hypothalamus◦Limbic System◦Amygdala

The Human BrainThe Hindbrain

◦Medulla ◦Pons ◦Cerebellum

Cerebral Cortex Center of Higher Order

Thinking Convolutions allow it to

fit The division = fissure L/R Hemispheres: each

controls the opposite side of the body

There are eight (8) lobes, four in each hemisphere: Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital

What questions do you have ?