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Chapter 3Chapter 3
Biopsychology
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What is Biopsychology?What is Biopsychology?
Biopsychology –The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and the environment.
Neuroscience – Interdisciplinary field that focuses on the brain and its role in psychological processes.
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Evolution has fundamentally shaped psychological
processes because it favors genetic variations that
produce adaptive behavior.
How Are Genes and How Are Genes and Behavior Linked?Behavior Linked?
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How Are Genes and Behavior Linked?How Are Genes and Behavior Linked?
Innate – Inborn; present at birth; part of the organism’s biological heritage.
Evolution –The gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment.
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Evolution and Natural SelectionEvolution and Natural Selection
Natural selection –The driving force behind evolution, by which the environment “selects” the fittest organisms.
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Genes and InheritanceGenes and Inheritance
Genotype – An organism’s genetic makeup.
Phenotype –An organism’s observable physical characteristics.
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Chromosomes, Genes, and DNAChromosomes, Genes, and DNA
DNA – A long, complex molecule that encodes genetic characteristics.
Genes –The functional units of a chromosome
composed of nucleotides.
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Sex chromosomes –The X and Y chromosomes that determine our physical sex characteristics.
Chromosomes, Genes, and DNAChromosomes, Genes, and DNA
Chromosomes – Tightly coiled threadlike structures along which the genes are organized.
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Genetic Explanations for Genetic Explanations for Psychological ProcessesPsychological Processes
• Genes influence our psychological characteristics as well as our physical traits.
• Nature vs Nurture
Nature vs NurtureNature vs Nurture
Nature
GENETICS
- The characteristics a person inherits
- Biological makeup
NurtureENVIRONMENT
- Family, culture, education,
and individual differences
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The body’s two communication systems, the
nervous system and the endocrine system, both use
chemical messengers to communicate with targets
throughout the body.
How Does the Body How Does the Body Communicate Internally?Communicate Internally?
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The Structure of a NeuronThe Structure of a Neuron
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The NeuronThe Neuron
Types of Neurons:• Sensory (afferent) neurons - carry
messages from sense receptors towards the brain.
• Motor (efferent) neurons - carry messages from the brain toward muscles and glands.
• Interneurons - carry messages between nerve cells.
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The Neural ImpulseThe Neural Impulse
Resting potential
- Electrical charge of the axon when in its inactive state.
Action potential - The neuron fires; the charge travels down the axon and causes neurotransmitters to be released.
ALL-OR-NONE!!!
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The Neural ImpulseThe Neural Impulse
Synapse
- The gap between neurons.
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The Neural ImpulseThe Neural Impulse
Synaptic transmission
- Relaying information across the synapse by means of chemical neurotransmitters.
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters –Chemical messengers that relay neural messages across the synapse.
ANIMATION
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Seven Important NeurotransmittersSeven Important Neurotransmitters
DopamineDopamine
SerotoninSerotonin
AcetylcholineAcetylcholine
EndorphinsEndorphins
NorepinephrineNorepinephrine
GABAGABA
GlutamateGlutamate
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
DopamineDopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Endorphins
Norepinephrine
GABA
Glutamate
Normal Function:Normal Function:
Produces sensations of Produces sensations of pleasure and reward; used pleasure and reward; used
by CNS neurons in by CNS neurons in voluntary movementvoluntary movement
Deficit:Deficit:
Parkinson’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, memory problems, anxiety, memory problems,
ADHDADHD
Surplus:Surplus:
Schizophrenia, drug Schizophrenia, drug addictionaddiction
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Dopamine
SerotoninSerotonin
Acetylcholine
Endorphins
Norepinephrine
GABA
Glutamate
Normal Function:Normal Function:
Regulates sleep, mood, Regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and sexual appetite, and sexual
behaviorbehavior
Deficit:Deficit:
Depression, anger, and Depression, anger, and mood disordersmood disorders
Surplus:Surplus:
ManiaMania
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Endorphins
NorepinephrineNorepinephrine
GABA
Glutamate
Normal Function:Normal Function:
Used for arousal in the Used for arousal in the flight/fight response, plays flight/fight response, plays
a role in learning and a role in learning and memory retrievalmemory retrieval
Deficit:Deficit:
Low energy, depressionLow energy, depression
Surplus:Surplus:
AnxietyAnxiety
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
AcetylcholineAcetylcholine
Endorphins
Norepinephrine
GABA
Glutamate
Normal Function:Normal Function:
Stimulates muscle Stimulates muscle contractions; involved in contractions; involved in
memorymemory
Deficit:Deficit:
Lack of muscle movement, Lack of muscle movement, paralysis, Alzheimer’s paralysis, Alzheimer’s
diseasedisease
Surplus:Surplus:
Muscle spasmsMuscle spasms
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Endorphins
Norepinephrine
GABAGABA
Glutamate
Normal Function:Normal Function:
Most prevalent inhibitory Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitterneurotransmitter
Deficit:Deficit:
Anxiety, seizuresAnxiety, seizures
Surplus:Surplus:
Sleep and eating disordersSleep and eating disorders
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
EndorphinsEndorphins
Norepinephrine
GABA
Glutamate
Normal Function:Normal Function:
Pleasurable sensations, Pleasurable sensations, reduction of stress, and reduction of stress, and
control of paincontrol of pain
Deficit:Deficit:
Chronic painChronic pain
Surplus:Surplus:
Artificial highs; body might Artificial highs; body might not give warning about painnot give warning about pain
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NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Endorphins
Norepinephrine
GABA
GlutamateGlutamate
Normal Function:Normal Function:
Primary excitatory Primary excitatory neurotransmitter; involved neurotransmitter; involved in learning and memory, in learning and memory,
movement movement
Deficit:Deficit:
nonenone
Surplus:Surplus:
Associated with epileptic Associated with epileptic seizuresseizures
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PlasticityPlasticity
Plasticity –Ability of the nervous system to adapt or change as the result of experience; sometimes helps the nervous system adapt to physical damage.
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Glial CellsGlial Cells
Glial cells:• Provide structural
support for neurons• Help in forming new
synapses• Form myelin sheath
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The Organization of the The Organization of the Nervous SystemNervous System
Nervous systemNervous system
Peripheral nervous Peripheral nervous system (PNS)system (PNS)
Central nervous Central nervous system (CNS)system (CNS)
AutonomicAutonomicnervous systemnervous system
SomaticSomaticnervous systemnervous system
SympatheticSympatheticnervous systemnervous system
Parasympathetic Parasympathetic nervous systemnervous system
Two Divisions of the Nervous SystemTwo Divisions of the Nervous System
• Central Nervous System (CNS)Made up of the brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)Nerves branching out from the
spinal cord.
Two Divisions of the PNSTwo Divisions of the PNS
Somatic NS – controls voluntary behaviors
Autonomic NS – controls involuntary behaviors
Sympathetic – “fight or flight”
Parasympathetic – “rest and digest”
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The Endocrine SystemThe Endocrine System(the body’s chemical messenger system)
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The Endocrine SystemThe Endocrine System
Pituitary gland • “Master gland”• Produces hormones
influencing the secretions of all other endocrine glands.
• Produces hormones that influences growth.
Video Clip - Gigantism
The Endocrine SystemThe Endocrine System
Thyroid gland - Affects metabolism
Hypothyroidism – makes people feel lazy and lethargic.
Hyperthyroidism – causes people to lose weight and be overactive.
The Endocrine SystemThe Endocrine System
Adrenal glands - Release adrenaline into the bloodstream.
- Help trigger the “fight or flight” response.Causes heart rate and breathing to increase
Heightens emotions (fear, anxiety)
The Endocrine SystemThe Endocrine System
Sex glands:Ovaries
- Produce eggs and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Testes - Produce sperm
and the male sex hormone testosterone.
Hormones vs NeurotransmittersHormones vs Neurotransmitters
Endocrine System- Glands release hormones into the bloodstream.
Nervous System - Neurons release neurotransmitters to either excite or inhibit other neurons.
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How Does the Brain How Does the Brain Produce Behavior and Produce Behavior and
Mental Processes?Mental Processes?
The brain is composed of many specialized modules that work together to create
mind and behavior.
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The BrainThe Brain
EEG (electroencephalograph) – Device for recording brain waves, typically by electrodes placed on the scalp.
Brain waves –Patterns of electrical activity generated by the brain.
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The BrainThe Brain
Lesions –Tissue damage that results from disease or injury.
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The BrainThe Brain
Brain scans – Recordings of the brain’s electrical or biochemical activity at specific sites.• CT scanning (computerized
tomography)• PET scanning (positron
emission tomography)• MRI (magnetic resonance
imaging)
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Three Layers of the BrainThree Layers of the BrainBrain stem and cerebellum
~Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion.
• medulla, pons, reticular formation, thalamus
Limbic system~Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory
abilities.• hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus
Cerebrum~Enables reasoning, planning, creating,
problem solving.
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Three Layers of the BrainThree Layers of the Brain
Brain stem and cerebellum~Drive vital functions,
such as heart rate, breathing, digestion.
• medulla• pons• reticular formation• thalamus
Medulla OblongataMedulla Oblongata
• Controls breathing and heartbeat.
PonsPons
• Regulates brain activity during sleep and dreaming.
Reticular FormationReticular Formation
• Responsible for arousal of the sympathetic nervous system.
• Keeps the brain alert & attentive- Reticular Activating System (RAS)
ThalamusThalamus
• Relay Station
• Sends messages from the body to the appropriate part of the brain.
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CerebellumCerebellum
• Responsible for balance and motor
movement.
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The Brain Stem and CerebellumThe Brain Stem and Cerebellum
Thalamus
Pons
Cerebellum
Medulla
Brain stem
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Three Layers of the BrainThree Layers of the Brain
Limbic system~Adds emotions,
complex motives, increased memory abilities.
• hippocampus• amygdala• hypothalamus
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The Limbic SystemThe Limbic System
Hippocampus –Involved in establishing long-term memories.
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The Limbic SystemThe Limbic System
Amygdala –Involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.
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The Limbic SystemThe Limbic System
Hypothalamus –Serves as the brain’s blood-testing laboratory, constantly monitors blood to determine the condition of the body.
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The Four LobesThe Four Lobes
Frontal lobe(thinking, planning, decision-making)
Parietal lobe(touch sensations and spatial relationships)
Occipital lobe(visual signals)
Temporal lobe(processes sounds, including hearing and speech)
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Frontal LobeFrontal Lobe
Motor Cortex
• Controls voluntary movement
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Parietal LobeParietal Lobe
Somatosensory Cortex
• Sensations and touch
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Occipital LobeOccipital Lobe
Visual Cortex
• Visual processing area
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Temporal LobeTemporal Lobe
Auditory Cortex
• Helps to make sense of sounds
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LanguageLanguage
Broca’s Area• Producing language
Wernicke’s Area• Understanding language
Aphasia• Loss of speech caused by brain damage
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The Brain The Brain
Corpus Callosum
• The band of nerve cells that connects the two hemispheres.
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The CerebrumThe Cerebrum
Cerebrum –Topmost layer of the brain; the bulbous cap over the limbic system.
Cerebral cortex –Thin gray-matter covering of the cerebrum; carries on thinking and perceiving.
Cerebral hemispheres –The two walnut shaped halves of the cerebrum, connected by the corpus callosum.
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Cerebral DominanceCerebral Dominance
Cerebral dominance –Tendency of each brain hemisphere to exert control over different functions.
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Cerebral HemispheresCerebral Hemispheres
Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere
• Logical• Mathematical• Memory for
words and numbers
• Word recognition• Positive emotion
• Creativity• Facial recognition• Memory for shapes and music• Spatial interpretation• Negative emotion
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The BrainThe Brain
Epilepsy – Brain disorder that is often marked by seizures and loss of consciousness; caused by out-of-control electrical activity in the brain.
Split-Brain OperationsSplit-Brain Operations
A treatment option for those suffering from grand mal seizures.
Separating the brain hemispheres by severing the corpus callosum lessons the number and severity of seizures.
Mr. Split-Brainy
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