Chapter 4

BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

PREDISPOSITIONS IN LEARNING

First Question:

Can you think of anything you did or felt that was not

processed by your brain?

Second Question:

Which do you think is more powerful,

A fully loaded computer with one terabyte memory,

or a 1.3 kg human brain?

The Parts of the Central Nervous Sytem

Mr. Webster defines

• CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, the system of NERVES in our body that sends messages for controlling movements and feelings between the brain and the other parts of the body.

• The bodily system that in VERTEBRATES is made up of the brain & spinal cord, NERVES, ganglia & parts of the receptor organs that receive & interpret, stimuli & transmit impulse to the effector organs.

Lesson 18: Central Nervous System(CNS)

• -Human Nervous System is called CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, because it is located at the center of our body.

• -it is composed of the BRAIN and the SPINAL CORD

• -is so powerful that it allows our body to receive sensory information from the environment through our eye, ears and other sensory receptors.

• -it is also responsible for the voluntary reflex responses of the entire body. Our body is replete with the built-in reflex mechanisms, that automatically respond, for us to survive and adapt to the environment. Though, some of these reflexes disappear when they are no longer needed.

THE SPINAL CORD

• This serve as the communication link between the BRAIN and all the parts of our body.

NEURONS• -are the cells that transmit information

throughout the body.• -activate OUR SENSORY MODALITIES so that

we can decide what to do with the sensory information.

• -are considered as the building blocks of the nervous system.

TWO TYPES OF NEURONS• SENSORY NEURONS(Afferent Neurons): a set of neurons in

the somatic nervous system that carry messages from sensory organs to the central nervous system.

• -they act like one-way streets that carry traffic from the sense organs toward the brain.

• -they also treat the brains to all sensory experiences, including vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, pain and balance.

• MOTOR NEURONS( Efferent Neurons): a set of neurons that carry messages going out from the central nervous system.

• -they form a one-way travel that transports messages away from the brain to the muscles, organs & glands (Zimbardo, Johnson, & Weber, 2006)

Example:• When we hear that our professor is asking us

to discuss the steps followed in scientific inquiry, and we want to raise our hand to answer, our somatic nervous system will report to our brain the present state of our skeletal muscles. It means that the neurons in the somatic nervous system will carry the message to our brain. When the message is already sent, the neurons will carry the information back allowing us to raise our hand & answer.

SENSORY MODALITY

• Sensory Modality is other known as STIMULUS MODALITY. It is one aspect of a stimulus or what we perceive after stimulus.

• Ex: the temperature modality is registered after heat or cold stimulate a receptor. Some sensory modalities include: Light, Sound, Temperature, Taste, Pressure & Smell.

Btw: Stimulus is something that causes a physiological response. Our body reactions to things & situations.

3 PARTS OF NEURONS

• DENDRITES, that receive information from other neurons.

• CELL BODY, that provides nourishment.• AXON, which refers to the neurons that send

information along the neurons.• Note: GLIAL CELLS, are the cells that support

and provide nutrients for the neurons in the central nervous system.

3 PARTS OF NEURONS

THE AXON

• -is responsible for transmitting NEURAL IMPULSES (Action Potentials). If there is no action potential moving down the axon, then the axon is at rest.

THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)

• It is responsible for carrying information to and from the central nervous system.

• It is found outside the brain & spinal cord.• It is divided into two. The SOMATIC NERVOUS

SYSTEM (SNS) & the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM(ANS)

THE SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (SNS)

• Is also known as SKELETAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, which is composed of all the nerves that connect to sensory receptors & skeletal muscles.

• Its role is to carry first the sensory information to the central nervous system and then carries messages from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles

THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

• It is responsible for involuntary actions such as heartbeat, digestion, pupil dilation, dislodging of the food into the throat and breathing.

• Ex: When we get frightened by seeing a venomous snake while walking along a grassy road. The fear that we felt is absorbed by this system.

2 BRANCHES OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

• SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM other known as Fight or Flight System, is responsible for arousing the body for action and preparing forces in times of stress.

• PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- it relaxes or controls the body from stress. It is responsible for calming the body in order to conserve energy.

LESSON 20: BRAIN LATERALIZATION

• -Refers to the two divisions of the brain, which are

• the LEFT HEMISPHERE • & the RIGHT HEMISPHERE.

THE LEFT HEMISPHERE

• Generally, we can describe the cognitive processing of the left hemisphere as more Analytic & Sequential.

• Left hemisphere of our brain matches object analytically & verbally

• Example: we can match pencils & ballpoint pens as writing materials or spoon, fork & chopsticks as eating utensils.

THE RIGHT HEMISPHERE

• This part of the our brain is characterized as more on Holistic & Spatial.

• It matches objects that are of the same form to visual patter or relationship.

• Example: We can find similarity between balls & balloons because of their round shapes.

TABLE 11: DIFFERENCES IN COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS BETWEEN THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT HEMISPHERE

• Functions of the Left Hemisphere Functions of the Right Hemisphere * Regulates positive emotions * Regulates negative emotions * Controls muscles used in speech * Responds to simple

commands * Controls the sequence of movements * Memorizes music & shapes * Memorizes words & numbers * Interprets visual images * Regulates speaking & writing * Understand relationships in space * Understands spoken & written forms * Recognizes faces

TABLE 12: SUMMARY OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LEFT & RIGHT HEMISPHERES

LEFT BRAIN HEMISPHERE RIGHT BRAIN HEMISPHERE Follows the sequential process Follows random process Analytical Intuitive Verbal Language Non Verbal Language Logical Spatial Linear processing Spontaneous & holistic Temporal Holistic Mathematical Functions Nonverbal process Prefers Structures Prefers to see & experience Internal focus External focus Reasoning Dreams Judgments Sees similarities Reality-based processing Fantasy-based processing Deals with one thing at a time Integrates multiple inputs

THANK YOU PO!-July

Chapter 4, Lesson # 18 & 20Prepared & Reported by: July F. Abestro

TCC2 (Facilitating Human Learning)