1. Physiological Psychology
Introduction:
Physiology Psychology describes
What are some of these
or evaluates mechanisms for Physiological issues
behavior. Identity problem- does ?
Behavior in its simplest Brain=behavior?
definition is movement. These Continuity problem – what is
movements are muscular the relation between humans
contractions which are and animals?
recognizably different, yet
performed publicly which makes Religious view- human are
it easy to study behavior between different kinds of entities
species. Scientific-human are part of the
A species physiology must be animal continuum
compatible to its place in nature
to secure survival. .
2. Mind and Body Problem
Important Psychological Issue
The mind and body problem deals with three important
philosophical views.
Idealism suggest mental monism or the absence of
the physical world. If one believes this he/she is
more likely to behave introvertly.
Materialism is the idea that there is no mental.
Those who believe this view behave extrovertly.
Epiphenominalism suggest that the mind is a side
effect of the brain and the mind holds no power.
3. Techniques of Studying the Brain
Lesion or Abrasion Stimulation methods-
methods- cutting, extensively used- electric
severing, or destroying a stimulation, electrode
part of the brain. How implants.
does it effect behavior?
Stimulation to certain parts of
Used on animals-Not on
humans except after the fact brain have been shown to
cause: aggression, submission,
After WWI many men who
had suffered brain injuries and extreme sexual pleasure.
were studied. Science Fiction has already
Links:http://www.bic.mni.mcgi explored some concerns of
ll.ca/ using stimulation to reward or
punish humans.
4. Techniques for Studying the Brain
Chemical Stimulation- A Biochemical Technique- used to
cannula, small tube, is inserted map out various
into the brain and crystalline neurotransmitter systems.
forms of neurotransmitters are Example- How levels of
transmitters is linked to
introduced. depression. Drug therapy can
Recording Technique- Measures alter these levels.
the activity of neurons. Imaging Technique- New-Uses
Recorder is inserted into axon. forms of energy and computers
Electrode stimulates cell’s to create detailed pictures of
activity. Example-EEG- the brain. Example-MRI
electroencephalogram. (magnetism), CAT Scan (X-
rays), and PET Scan
(metabolic activity).
5. Neurons
The Basic Unit of the Nervous System
Estimated 10-12 billion or Three Types of Neurons:
higher! Afferent or Sensory- run from
Large number of neurons= sense organs to central nervous
more complex nervous system. system.
One Neuron can connect to as Efferent or motor- run from the
many as 75 more neurons. central nervous system to the
Pyramidal neuron located in muscles.
Interneurons or multipolar-
Hippocampus. Found within the brain and are
multiply connected to other
neurons.
6. Parts of the Neuron
Dendrites- All of the fibrous Axon- Conducts information
from the neuron cell body to the
extensions of the cell body
synaptic terminals to trigger
except the axon. They give the synaptic transmission. Axons also
Neuron its characteristic shape. transport chemical substances
Cell Body- The part of the from the cell body to the synaptic
neuron containing the nucleus, terminals.
cell membrane and contributing Myelin- A fatty sheath of
organelles ( endoplasmic insulation that covers larger
reticular, Golgi apparatus, and axons. Not all neurons have
mitochondria. myelin.
Synapse- Points of functional
contact between axon terminals
and other cells.
Chemical Synapse
Electrical Synapse
8. Nerve Conduction
Within the Neuron Between Neurons
Depolarization- An electrical A chemical process
process When depolarization reaches
-70 mill volts the terminal buttons,
When the neuron is resting, not neurotransmitters are released
conducting nerve impulses, it is into the synapse.
polarized. Either excite or inhibit the
The cell is invaded by Na ions following neuron!
and the expulsion of K ions. Sending neuron-presynaptic
The electric charge is gone. neuron
Depolarization occurs! Receiving neuron- postsynaptic
neuron.
9. Parts of the Brain:
Frontal Lobe (Forebrain)
Location: serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/
10. Four Types of Messengers:
1. Neurotransmitters: released by terminal buttons of neurons
and detected by receptors in the membrane of another cell a short
distance away.
2. Neuromodulators: released in large amounts from the
terminal buttons, but diffused throughout part of the brain,
affecting many neurons
3. Hormones: produced by endocrine glands, released into
extracellular fluid - stimulate cell receptors on membrane surface
or deep within nuclei of cells, including neurons
4. Pheromones: chemicals released into the environment through
sweat, urine, or secretions of special glands. Most receptors in nose
of other animals, but may also be detected in skin or other organs
11. Frontal Lobe
Location- In the anterior most part of the brain (under
the forehead)
Function:
Determines our consciousness of our environment.
Determines how we initiate and respond to our environment.
Daily decisions in our daily lives.
Controls emotional responses and expressive language.
Assigns meanings to the words we use.
Involves word association.
Controls memory for habits and motor activities.
Emotional control center.
Links:
http://www.waiting.com/brainfunction.html
http://www.radiology.wisc.edu/Med_Students/neuroradiology/f
mri/sld012.htm
12. Parietal Lobe
Location- Near the back and top of the head (Near the
back and top of the head)
Functions:
Contains the location for visual attention.
Contains the location for touch perception.
Controls goal directed voluntary movements.
Controls the manipulation of objects.
Integrates different senses to allow for understanding a single
concept.
If not functioning correctly epileptic behavior can occur.
Links:
http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/neurol/challeng/pat31/summary.h
tml
http://www.eqi.org.au/newsletter/glossary.html
13. Illustration of the Occipital Lobe
Link: Traumatic Brain Injury Research
http://www.neuroskills.com/index.html?main=tbi/boccipit.shtml
14. Occipital Lobe
Location- Located in the most posterior (Back of the
head).
Functions:
Center of the visual perception center.
Contains the primary visual cortex.
Receives projections from the lateral geniculate nucleus of the
thalamus.
Numerous visual functions.
Links:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/3937/sight.ht
m
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~lngbrain/cglidden/occipital.html
http://www.headinjuryrehab.org/occipital_lobe.htm
15. Temporal Lobe
Location- at the side of the head and above the ears
Functions:
Auditory sensation and perception
Organization and categorization of verbal material
Long term memory
Personality and sexual behavior
Organization of sensory input
The brain has two temporal lobes, one on each side of the brain
The two are interchangeable, so if one is damaged, the other is
usually able to takeover the other's duties
Link:
http://www.Geocities.Com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/3937/temporal
.Htm
16. Biological Foundations of Psychology
Divisions of the Brain
www.psychol.uni-giessen.De/abteil/differen/ 02abiol_skript_version.ppt
17. The Brain Stem
(Medulla oblongata, the Midbrain, and the Pons.)
Medulla Oblongata
Location:
Last part of the brain before reaching the spinal cord.
Continuation of the spinal cord
Function:
Many cranial nerves enter and leave the brain through the Medulla.
Centers for cough, gag, swallow, and vomit.
Cardiac Center.
Respiratory Center.
Links:
http://www.waiting.com/brainfuncthree.html
http://www.neuroskills.com/index.html?
main=tbi/bbstem.shtml
http://kidshealth.org/kid/body/brain_noSW_p4.html
18. Illustration of the Medulla
Oblongata
http://www.brainexplorer.org/brain_atlas/Brainatlas_Midbrain.shtml
19. Location:
Midbrain
The Midbrain is located in the anterior most continuation of the
brain stem that still maintains the tubular structure of the spinal
cord (at the top of the brainstem)
Functions:
The top portion contains important nuclei for visual and
auditory systems
It is here that these pathways cross so that each half of the brain
controls the opposite side of the body
Deep within the brain stem is the reticular formation within
which lies the basic life support systems
The bottom portion contains nuclei for the cranial nerves that
control eye movement and the lower portion of the brain
The Substania Nigra is found here. It is a large red nucleus
involved in movement
Links:
http://home.epix.net/~tcannon1/physio.html
http://www.med.harvard.edu/AANLIB/home.html
20. Location:
Pons
The Pons (meaning "bridge") lies above the medulla, and is so
named because many axons cross sides within this region of the
hindbrain
Functions:
Arousal
Assists in Controlling Autonomic Functions
Relays Sensory Information Between the Cerebrum and
Cerebellum
Sleep
Features of the pons are: a) basis pontis, b) middle cerebellar
peduncle, and c) the superior cerebellar peduncle
All are linked to the cerebellum which sits on the posterior side of
the pons. Damage to any of the structures would result in impaired
coordination of movement and/or posture
Links:
http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/Psych402/Biotutorials/pons
www.bigchalk.com
21. Location:
Cerebellum
Two peach-size mounds of folded tissue at the base of the brain
Overlies the pons
Functions:
The cerebellum ("little brain") has convolutions similar to those
of cerebral cortex, only the folds are much smaller. Like the
cerebrum, the cerebellum has an outer cortex, an inner white
matter, and deep nuclei below the white matter
New skills are learned by trial and error and then coded into the
cerebellar memory
Coordinates movement of muscles and joints by synthesizing
data from the brain stem, the spinal cord, and another brain areas
such as cerebral cortex
The cerebellum fine tunes our motor activity or movement
Links:
http://web.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBackgrounders/cerebell
http://thalamus.wustl.edu/course/cerebell.html
22. Thalamus
Location:
The Thalamus is shaped like two footballs; each is located deep
in the hemispheres of the forebrain
A large mass of gray matter deeply situated in the forebrain.
There is one on either side of the midline
Functions:
It relays to the cerebral cortex information received from diverse
brain regions. Sort of a requisite 'last pit stop' for information
going to cortex
Axons from every sensory system (except olfaction) synapse
here as the last relay site before the information reaches the
cerebral cortex
Information from all sensory receptors except smell is processed
in the thalamus before being sent to the cerebral cortex
Links:
http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/Psych402/Biotutorials/20/thalamus.s
http://www.pubs.royalsoc.ac.uk/phil_bio/news/thalamus.html
23. Hypothalamus
Location:
The hypothalamus is a midline, structure, shaped like a funnel
below the thalamus
It connects to the pituitary gland
Functions:
The hypothalamus has many regulating functions
The autonomic nervous system, emotions and behavior, body
temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep-waking cycles
Controls the release of hormones under its control: growth,
prolactin, thyroid, corticotropin, and gonadotropins
Regulation of sex hormones, blood pressure, body temperature,
water balance, respiration, and food intake, while it also plays a
role in regulating complex moods, such as anger, placidity, and
fatigue.
Links: http://k-2.stanford.edu/InfoPackets/EndoSys.3.0.html
http://www.isat.jmu.edu/users/klevicca/neuroconn/The_Brain/Brain
_Function/Limbic_System/hypothalamus.html
24. Hippocampus
Location:
The Hippocampus is tucked out of sight on the medial side of the
temporal lobe
Its shape resembles that of a 'seahorse'
Functions:
Stores and processes memories
Helps find memories
Affects emotions
The hippocampus helps to encode memories, and then helps to
find them when you want to remember something
Main relay station that determines whether a new memory should
go into long-term storage or be deleted after its short-term
usefulness is over
Links:
http://www.morphonix.com/software/education/science/brain/ga
me/specimens/hippocampus.html
26. Basal Ganglia
Location- The basal ganglia surrounds the thalamus and is
enclosed by the cerebral cortex and cerebral white matter.
The name includes: caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, globus
pallidus, substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus
Functions:
Controls voluntary movements and establishing postures.
Controls voluntary limb movement, eye movement, and cognition.
Lesions in specific nuclei tend to produce characteristic deficits. One
well-known disorder is Parkinson's disease, which is the slow and
steady loss of dopaminergic neurons in synapses.
Links: http://thalamus.wustl.edu/course/cerebell.html
http://www-hbp.usc.edu/Projects/basal.htm
http://www.sci.uidaho.edu/med532/basal.htm
27. Conclusion
The study of physiology has made possible for
better understanding of human behavior and
function, as well as, the function and behavior of
other species we share our world with.