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Slide 54 -
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PowerPoint® Presentation
by Jim Foley
© 2013 Worth Publishers Chapter 2 The Biology
of Mind 1 Surveying the Chapter: OverviewWhat We Have in Mind Building blocks of the mind: neurons and how they communicate (neurotransmitters)
Systems that build the mind: functions of the parts of the nervous system
Supporting player: the slower-communicating endocrine system (hormones)
Star of the show: the brain and its structures 2 Searching for the self by studying the bodyPhrenology Phrenology yielded one big idea--that the brain might have different areas that do different things (localization of function). Phrenology
(developed by Franz Gall in the early 1800’s):
the study of bumps on the skull and their relationship to mental abilities and character traits 3 Biological psychology includes neuroscience, behavior genetics, neuropsychology, and evolutionary psychology.
All of these subspecialties explore different aspects of: how the nature of mind and behavior is rooted in our biological heritage.
Our study of the biology of the mind begins with the “atoms” of the mind: neurons. Today’s search for the biology of the self: biological psychology 4 Neurons and Neuronal Communication:The Structure of a Neuron There are billions of neurons
(nerve cells) throughout the body. 5 Action potential:a neural impulse that travels down an axon like a wave Just as “the wave” can flow to the right in a stadium even though the people only move up and down, a wave moves down an axon although it is only made up of ion exchanges moving in and out. 6 The neuron receives signals from other neurons; some are telling it to fire and some are telling it not to fire. When the threshold is reached, the action potential starts moving.
Like a gun, it either fires or it doesn’t; more stimulation does nothing.
This is known as the “all-or-none” response. The action potential travels down the axon from the cell body to the terminal branches. The signal is transmitted to another cell. However, the message must find a way to cross a gap between cells. This gap is also called the synapse. How neurons communicate(with each other): When does the cell send the action potential?... when it reaches a threshold The threshold is reached when excitatory (“Fire!”) signals outweigh the inhibitory (“Don’t fire!”) signals by a certain amount. 7 The synapse is also known as the “synaptic junction” or “synaptic gap.” The Synapse The synapse is a junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. 8 Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are chemicals used to send a signal across the synaptic gap. 9 Reuptake: Recycling Neurotransmitters [NTs] Reuptake:
After the neurotransmitters stimulate the receptors on the receiving neuron, the chemicals are taken back up into the sending neuron to be used again. 10 Seeing all the Steps Together Neural Communication: 11 Roles of Different Neurotransmitters 12 Serotonin pathways Networks of neurons that communicate with serotonin help regulate mood. Networks of neurons that communicate with dopamine are involved in focusing attention and controlling movement. Dopamine pathways 13 Hearing the messageHow Neurotransmitters Activate Receptors When the key fits, the site is opened. 14 Keys that almost fit:Agonist and Antagonist Molecules An antagonist molecule fills the lock so that the neurotransmitter cannot get in and activate the receptor site. An agonist molecule fills the receptor site and activates it, acting like the neurotransmitter. 15 The Inner and Outer Parts of the Nervous System The central nervous system [CNS] consists of the brain and spinal cord.
The CNS makes decisions for the body. The peripheral nervous system [PNS] consists of ‘the rest’ of the nervous system.
The PNS gathers and sends information to and from the rest of the body. 16 More Parts of the Nervous System 17 The AutonomicNervous System: The sympathetic NS arouses(fight-or-flight)The parasympathetic NS calms(rest and digest) 18 The Body’s “Slow but Sure” Endocrine Message System The endocrine system sends molecules as messages, just like the nervous system, but it sends them through the bloodstream instead of across synapses.
These molecules, called hormones, are produced in various glands around the body.
The messages go to the brain and other tissues. 19 The endocrine system refers to a set of glands that produce chemical messengers called hormones. The sympathetic “fight or flight” nervous system responds to stress by sending a message to adrenal glands to release the hormones listed above.
Effect: increased heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar. These provide ENERGY for the fight or flight! Adrenal Glands produce hormones such as adrenaline/epinephrine, noradrenaline/norepinephrine, and cortisol. Pancreas Adrenal Glands 20 The Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the endocrine system.
It is controlled through the nervous system by the nearby brain area--the hypothalamus.
The pituitary gland produces hormones that regulate other glands such as the thyroid.
It also produces growth hormone (especially during sleep) and oxytocin, the “bonding” hormone. Pituitary gland 21 Investigating the Brain and Mind:
How did we move beyond phrenology and get inside the skull and under the “bumps”?
by finding what happens when part of the brain is damaged or otherwise unable to work properly
by looking at the structure and activity of the brain: CAT, MRI, fMRI, and PET scans
Strategies for finding out what is different about the mind when part of the brain isn’t working normally:
case studies of accidents (e.g. Phineas Gage)
case studies of split-brain patients (corpus callosum cut to stop seizures)
lesioning brain parts in animals to find out what happens
chemically numbing, magnetically deactivating, or electrically stimulating parts of the brain
22 Studying cases of brain damage When a stroke or injury damages part of the brain, we have a chance to see the impact on the mind. 23 24 Intentional brain damage: performed on animals
has yielded some insights, especially about less complex brain structures
no longer necessary, as we now can chemically or magnetically deactivate brain areas to get similar information Lesions (surgical destruction of brain tissue) Split-Brain Patients “Split” = surgery in which the connection between the brain hemispheres is cut in order to end severe full-brain seizures
Study of split-brain patients has yielded insights discussed at the end of the chapter 25 We can stimulate parts of the brain to see what happens Parts of the brain, and even neurons, can be stimulated electrically, chemically, or magnetically.
This can result in behaviors such as giggling, head turning, or simulated vivid recall.
Researchers can see which neurons or neural networks fire in conjunction with certain mental experiences, and even specific concepts. 26 27 An EEG (electroencephalogram) is a recording of the electrical waves sweeping across the brain’s surface. It is useful in studying seizures and sleep.
EEG: electroencephalogram PET: positron emission tomography The PET scan allows us to see what part of the brain is active by tracing where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task. 28 MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) makes images from signals produced by brain tissue after magnets align the spin of atoms.
The arrows below show ventricular enlargement in a schizophrenic patient (right). MRI: magnetic resonance imaging Functional MRI reveals brain activity and function rather than structures. Functional MRI compares successive MRI images taken a split second apart, and shows changes in the level of oxygen in bloodflow in the brain. fMRI: functional MRI Areas of the brain and their functions 29 The medulla controls the most basic functions such as heartbeat and breathing.
Someone with total brain damage above the medulla could still breathe independently, but someone with damage in this area could not.
The pons helps coordinate automatic and unconscious movements.
30 The Brainstem: Pons and Medulla The Thalamus (“Inner Chamber”) The thalamus is the “sensory switchboard” or “router.”
All sensory messages, except smell, are routed through the thalamus on the way to the cortex (higher, outer brain).
The thalamus also sends messages from the cortex to the medulla and cerebellum. 31 Reticular (“Netlike”) Formation The reticular formation is a nerve network in the brainstem.
It enables alertness, (arousal) from coma to wide awake (as demonstrated in the cat experiments).
It also filters incoming sensory information. 32 The cerebellum helps coordinate voluntary movement such as playing a sport. Cerebellum (“little brain”) The cerebellum has many other functions, including enabling nonverbal learning and memory. 33 emotions such as fear and aggression.
basic drives such as hunger and sex.
the formation of episodic memories.
The hippocampus (“seahorse”)
processes conscious, episodic memories.
works with the amygdala to form emotionally charged memories.
The Amygdala (“almond”)
consists of two lima bean- sized neural clusters.
helps process emotions, especially fear and aggression.
The Limbic (“Border”) System
The limbic system coordinates: 34 The Amygdala Electrical stimulation of a cat’s amygdala provokes aggressive reactions.
If you move the electrode very slightly and cage the cat with a mouse, the cat will cower in terror. 35 lies below (“hypo”) the thalamus.
regulates body temperature and ensures adequate food and water intake (homeostasis), and is involved in sex drive.
directs the endocrine system via messages to the pituitary gland.
The Hypothalamus: Thalamus Riddle: Why did the rat cross the grid?
Why did the rat want to get to the other side?
The Hypothalamus as a Reward Center Pushing the pedal that stimulated the electrode placed in the hypothalamus was much more rewarding than food pellets. 36 Review of Brain Structures 37 The Cerebral Cortex The lobes consist of: 300 billion synaptic connections The brain has left and right hemispheres outer grey “bark” structure that is wrinkled in order to create more surface area for 20+ billion neurons.
inner white stuff—axons linking parts of the brain.
180+ billion glial cells, which feed and protect neurons and assist neural transmission.
38 39 The Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex: Preview Frontal Lobes
Parietal Lobes
Occipital Lobes
Temporal Lobes involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments include the sensory cortex include the visual areas; they receive visual information from the opposite visual field include the auditory processing areas Input: Sensory cortex (Left hemisphere section receives input from the body’s right side) Output: Motor cortex (Left hemisphere section controls the body’s right side) Functions of the Brain: The Motor and Sensory Strips Axons receiving motor signals FROM the cortex Axons sending sensory information TO the cortex 40 Sensory Functions of the Cortex The sensory strip deals with information from touch stimuli.
The occipital lobe deals with visual information.
Auditory information is sent to the temporal lobe. 41 The Visual Cortex This fMRI scan shows increased activity in the visual cortex when a person looks at a photograph. 42 Association function of the cortex More complex animals have more cortical space devoted to integrating/associating information 43 Association Areas:Frontal Lobes The frontal lobes are active in “executive functions” such as judgment, planning, and inhibition of impulses.
The frontal lobes are also active in the use of working memory and the processing of new memories. 44 Phineas Gage (1823-1860) Case study: In a work accident, a metal rod shot up through Phineas Gage’s skull, destroying his eye and part of his frontal lobes.
After healing, he was able to function in many ways, but his personality changed; he was rude, odd, irritable, and unpredictable.
Possible explanation:
Damage to the frontal lobes could result in loss of the ability to suppress impulses and to modulate emotions. 45 Parietal Lobe Association Areas This part of the brain has many functions in the association areas behind the sensory strip:
managing input from multiple senses
performing spatial and mathematical reasoning
monitoring the sensation of movement
46 Temporal Lobe Association Areas Some abilities managed by association areas in this “by the temples” lobe:
recognizing specific faces
managing sensory input related to sound, which helps the understanding of spoken words 47 Whole-brain Association Activity Whole-brain association activity involves complex activities which require communication among association areas across the brain such as:
memory
language
attention
meditation and spirituality
consciousness 48 Specialization and Integration Five steps in reading a word aloud: 49 This 6-year-old had a hemispherectomy to end life-threatening seizures; her remaining hemisphere compensated for the damage. Plasticity: The Brain is Flexible If the brain is damaged, especially in the general association areas of the cortex:
the brain does not repair damaged neurons, BUT it can restore some functions
it can form new connections, reassign existing networks, and insert new neurons, some grown from stem cells 50 Our Two Hemispheres Lateralization (“going to one side”)
The two hemispheres serve some different functions.
How do we know about these differences?
Brain damage studies revealed many functions of the left hemisphere.
Brain scans and split brain studies show more about the functions of the two hemispheres, and how they coordinate with each other. 51 Thoughts and logic
Details such as “trees”
Language: words and definitions
Linear and literal
Calculation
Pieces and details
Feelings and intuition
Big picture such as “forest”
Language: tone, inflection, context
Inferences and associations
Perception
Wholes, including the self The intact but lateralized brainRight-Left Hemisphere Differences Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere 52 Brain Studies Researchers have studied the impact of this surgery on patients’ functioning. Split- To end severe whole-brain seizures, some people have had surgery to cut the corpus callosum,
a band of axons connecting the hemispheres. 53 Split visual field Each hemisphere does not perceive what each EYE sees. Instead, it perceives the half of the view in front of you that goes with the half of the body that is controlled by that hemisphere. 54
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