Ps101-lecture notes

Prof. Ashy

NERVOUS SYSTEM AND CONSCIOUSNESS

 

ð     A Synapse (Transparency):

è   Axon

è   Neural Impulse

è   Vesicles

è   Neurotransmitter Molecule

è   Dendrite

è   Synaptic Cleft

ð     Key Words From Transparencies:

è   Synapse

è   Presynaptic Terminal of Sending Neuron

è   Vesicles Containing Neurotransmitters

è   Neurotransmitter Molecules

è   Postsynaptic Membrane of Receiving Neuron

è   Receptor Site

è   Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerves

è   Cell Body

è   Nucleus

è   Presynaptic Terminals

è   Muscle Cells

è   Axon

è   Dendrites

è   Electrical Impulse

è   Hippocampus

è   Amygdala

è   Pituitary Gland

è   Hypothalamus

 

ð     Nerve Cell. A Typical Motor Neuron:

è   Dendrites (receive messages from other cells)

è   Nucleus

è   Cell Body (the cell’s life-support center)

è   Axon Hillock

è   Axon (passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands)

è   Myelin Sheath (covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses)

è   Terminal Buttons (terminal branches of axons that form junctions with other cells)

è   Neural Impulse (electrical signal traveling down the axon)

ð     Types of Neurons’ Locations (transparency):

è   Spinal Cord (motor neuron)

è   Thalamus

è   Cerebellum

è   Cortex

ð     Central Nervous System (CNS):

è   Brain + Spinal Cord

ð     Sympathetic Nervous System:

è   Arousing:

·        Dilates Pupil

·        Accelerates Heartbeat

·        Inhibits digestion

·        Stimulates Glucose Release by Liver

·        Stimulates Secretion of Epinephrine, Norepinephrine

·        Stimulates Ejaculation in Male

ð     Parasympathetic Nervous System:

è   Calming:

·        Contracts Pupil

·        Slows Heartbeat

·        Stimulates Digestion

·        Stimulates Gallbladder

·        Contracts Bladder

·        Stimulates Erection of Sex Organs

ð     Nervous System:

è   Central Nervous System:

·        Brain

·        Spinal Cord

->Peripheral Nervous System:

 

·        Autonomic (controls self-regulated action of internal organs and glands)

*Sympathetic (arousing)

*Parasympathetic (calming)

·        Somatic (controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles)

ð     Functional Areas of the Cortex:

è   Motor Cortex

è   Association Cortex

è   Auditory Cortex

è   Association Cortex

è   Visual Cortex

è   Somatosensory Cortex

ð     The Brain Anatomy of Schizophrenia:

è   Parietal Lobe:

·        regulates sensory function

·        Abnormalities here alter interpretation of external stimuli

è   Frontal Lobe:

·        Key to abstract thought

·        Abnormalities here linked to schizophrenic feelings of disorganization

è   Cingulate Gyrus:

·        The emotional Center

·        Schizophrenic Brains have trouble linking feelings to circumstances

·        Part of the Limbic System

è   Thalamus:

·        Processes Sensory Input

·        Defects here blunt impact of external stimuli

è   Hippocampus:

·        Regulates memory functioning

·        Defects here hinder information retrieval

·        Part of the Limbic System

ð     Specialization of the Cerebral Hemisphere:

è   Left Hemisphere:

·        Spontaneous speaking and writing

·        Response to complex commands

·        Word recognition

·        Memory for words and numbers

·        Sequences of movements

·        Positive emotion

è   Right Hemisphere:

·        Repetitive but not spontaneous speaking

·        Responses to simple commands

·        Facial recognition

·        Memory for shapes and music

·        Spatial Interpretation

·        Negative Emotion

·        Emotional Responsiveness

ð     Brain Structures:

è   Limbic System:

·        Regulates emotions and motivated behavior.

è   Thalamus:

·        Relays sensory information (coordinates info. From two or more input systems)

è   Hypothalamus:

·        Manages the body’s internal state

è   Cerebellum:

·        regulates coordinated movement

è   Brain Stem:

·        Sets brain’s general alertness level and warning system

è   Spinal Cord:

·        pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain

è   Hippocampus:

·        Memory

è   Amygdala:

·        Aggression, rage

ð     These Glands Produce Hormones That Regulate:

è   Hypothalamus:

·        release of pituitary hormones

è   Anterior Pituitary:

·        Testes and Ovaries

·        Breast milk production

·        Metabolism

·        Reactions to stress

è   Posterior Pituitary:

·        Water Conservation

·        Breast Milk Excretion

·        Uterus Contraction

è   Thyroid:

·        Metabolism

·        Growth and Development

è   Parathyroid:

·        Calcium levels

è   Gut:

·        Digestion

è   Pancreas:

·        Glucose Metabolism

è   Adrenals:

·        Fight or Flight Response

·        Metabolism

·        Sexual Desire in Women

è   Ovaries:

·        Development of Female Sexual Traits

·        Ova Production

è   Testes:

·        Development of Male Sexual Traits

·        Sperm Production

·        Sexual Desire in Men

ð     Endocrine Glands in Females and Males:

è   Thyroids and Parathyroids

è   Adrenals

è   Pancreas

è   Ovaries

è   Testes

è   Pituitary

ð     Psychologist Ellen J. Langer:

è   She found out she can paint

è   She’s spreading the word that anyone can tap into their creative self

è   She recommends that people take risks, and that they find new passions:

·        It makes you mindful

·        Teaches you about yourself

·        It could be enormous fun