The document discusses the role of biology in psychology. It summarizes that the nervous system is made up of neurons that communicate electrically and chemically. There are two main types of neurons - sensory neurons that receive information and motor neurons that activate muscles or glands. The brain is the control center of the nervous system and is made up of the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain. The four lobes of the cerebral cortex each specialize in different functions like vision, hearing, movement, and higher reasoning.

1. The Role of Biology in Psychology
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➔ Neural Communication
➔ The Nervous System
➔ The Brain

2. Cells of the NS
1. Glial Cells: support cells
2. Neurons: cells that transmit info
– Sensory
– Motor
– Interneurons
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3. Structure of a Neuron
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4. Structure of a Neuron
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Law of Forward Conduction:
D – CB – A

5. How Do Neurons Communicate?
• Within a neuron, communication is ELECTRICAL
• Resting Potential: the stable, negative charge of
an inactive neuron
• Action Potential (AP): very brief shift in a
neuron’s electrical charge that travels along the
axon
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6. How do Neurons Communicate?
• Between neurons, communication is CHEMICAL
• Neurotransmitters: chemicals that transmit
information from one neuron to another
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7. How do Neurons Communicate?
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8. Neurotransmitters
1. Acetylcholine (ACh)
– Memory
– Movement (muscle action)
2. Norepinephrine (NE)/Epinephrine
– Wakefulness
– Mood regulation
3. Dopamine (DA)
– Attention
– Movement
– Learning
– Emotion
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9. Neurotransmitters
4. Serotonin
– Mood
– Pain
– Hunger
– Sleep
5. Endorphins
– Anxiety, fear, tension
– Relieving pain
6. GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
– Inhibits brain activity
– When low, people experience anxiety, seizures, tremors
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10. Drugs & poisons interfere with the amount of
neurotransmitter available in the synapse.
• Agonist: mimics the action of
a neurotransmitter
• Antagonist: opposes the
action of a neurotransmitter
• Example: ACh
– Agonist:
• Nicotine
• Black Widow Venom
– Antagonists:
• Botulinum Toxin
• Curare
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16. The Role of Biology in Psychology
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➔ Neural Communication
➔ The Nervous System
➔ The Brain

17. • Nervous System: the body’s electrochemical communication
network; all cells of the CNS & PNS
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18. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
• Sympathetic Division: deals with threats to the
organism by activating the body
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Fight or Flight Response
Rest & Digest Response
• Parasympathetic Division: maintains bodily
functions by regulating use of energy

19. Central Nervous System (CNS)
• Spinal cord:
– Connects the brain to the PNS
– Directs simple reflexes without input from the brain
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20. •Brain
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Central Nervous System (CNS)

21. The Role of Biology in Psychology
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➔ Neural Communication
➔ The Nervous System
➔ The Brain

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23. Hindbrain & Midbrain
• Medulla: vital functions
(heartbeat, breathing)
• Pons: sleep & arousal
• Reticular Formation: arousal
and attention
• Thalamus: sensory relay
station
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24. Hindbrain & Midbrain
• Cerebellum:
coordinating
movement &
balance
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26. Brain: Forebrain
1. Amygdala: linked to
emotion
2. Hippocampus: forming
long term memories
3. Hypothalamus: drives,
emotion & reward
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Limbic System: associated with emotions and
drives, located below the cerebral hemispheres

27. Brain: Forebrain
1. Cerebral Cortex: the
body’s control and
info-processing center
2. Corpus Callosum:
band of nerves that
connects the two
halves of cortex
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28. Brain: Forebrain
• Contralateral Control: left side of the brain
controls the right side of the body and vice versa
• Lateralization of Function: when one function is
on one side of the brain
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Broca’s Area:
speech production Wernicke’s Area:
language comprehension

29. Four Lobes of the Brain
Frontal Lobe
• Primary motor cortex
• Prefrontal cortex
• Plans & judgments
Parietal Lobe
• Sensory cortex
• Input for touch &
body position
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30. Four Lobes of the Brain
Occipital Lobe
• Visual cortex
• Input from the visual
field
Temporal Lobe
• Auditory cortex
• Input from the ears
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