1. BIO PSYCHOLOGY
The Nervous System

2. Neurons – The building block
STRUCTURE
Neuron: A single cell.
Nerve: a bundle of neurons.
Parts of neurons:
1. Dendrites
2. Axon
3. Axon Terminal
4. Cell body

3. Neurons – The building block
FUNCTION
 Neurons vary greatly in size and shape.
 Neurons are classified into three categories
◦ Sensory neurons – transmit impulses from receptors
to CNS
◦ Motor neurons – carry outgoing signals from CNS to
muscles and glands
◦ Inter-neurons – connect sensory and motor neurons

4. Neurons – The building block
STRUCTURE

5. Neurons – The building block
FUNCTION- Neural Communication
 Action Potentials
◦ Information travels along neuron in form of neural impulse
called an action potential
◦ Each action potential is the result of movement of
electrically charged particles (ions) in and out of neuron
◦ Movement of ions controlled by ion channels - when these
are closed the neuron is referred to as “resting”
◦ When a neuron is depolarized above the excitation
threshold cell membrane is temporarily unstable, resulting
in action potential.
 Resting Potential: The state when neuron is charged but
waiting for next action potential to be generated.

6. Neurons – The building block
FUNCTION- Neural Communication
 Action Potential

7. Neurons – The building block
FUNCTION- Neural Communication
Importance of eating bananas!!

8. Neurons – The building block
 Synapse: tiny fluid filled gap between axon
terminal and dendrites.

10. Neurons – The building block

11. Neurons – The building block
FUNCTION
 Communication Between Neurons
 Synaptic transmission and neural coding
◦ All-or-none law – a neuron is either firing action
potential, or not, so how can the nervous system
code for/represent complexity of experience?
◦ Power of nervous system lies in the complexity of the
connections between neurons
◦ Lock-and-key action – the way a neurotransmitter
and receptor fit together, which causes a change in
permeability of ion channels, either excitatory or
inhibitory.

12. Neurons – The building block
Neurotransmitters
◦ More than 70 identified
◦ Acetylcholine – involved in memory and
attention and transmits signals between nerve
and muscle.
◦ Dopamine – mediates effects of natural
rewards (e.g. food). Excess activity associated
with schizophrenia.
◦ Serotonin – important role in mood
regulation (SSRI). Also important in sleep and
appetite

13. Neurons – The building block
Neurotransmitters
 Excitatory Effect: A neurotransmitter effect
that makes it more likely that the receiving
neuron will generate an action potential, or
“fire.”
 Agonist: A drug that boosts the effect of a
neurotransmitter.
 Inhibitory Effect: A neurotransmitter effect
that makes it less likely that a receiving
neuron will generate an action potential, or
“fire.”
 Antagonist: A drug that blocks the effect of a
neurotransmitter.

14. The Structure of Nervous System
Nervous System
Peripheral Central
Autonomic Somatic
Sypathetic Parasympathetic

15. THE BRAIN

16. THE BRAIN- Case Studies
 Psychologist and Doctors began to learn
about brain functions by studying the
changes in ability and personality caused
by brain injuries.
 Case of Phineas Gage. The injury leading
to his personality change.
 What's another important information
about function of the damaged area?

17. THE BRAIN- Scanning
 Structure:
◦ Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT)-X-rays.
◦ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-magnetic
fields and radio waves
 Function:
◦ Functional MRI
◦ Electroencephalogram (EEG)-electrodes
◦ Positron Emission Tomography (PET) –
radioactive glucose

18. THE BRAIN- Parts
 The BrainSTEM- no visible or structural
end. Spinal chord enters the brain and
changes the shape into medulla and
reticular formation.
◦ Medulla: Basic life support.
◦ Reticular formation: Nerve network involved
in wakefulness and alertness.

19. THE BRAIN- Parts
 The Thalamus: Sits at the top of
brainstem. “sensory Switchboard” All
incoming sensory nerves go through
thalamus and its function is to send them
to correct cortical area.
 Cerebellum : (little brain) Its controls
emotions, hearing, touch. Coordination of
physical movements and balance.

20. THE BRAIN- Parts
 The Limbic System: a border in between
brain stem and cerebral cortex. 3 parts
of limbic system:
◦ Hypothalamus- hunger, thirst, fight or flight.
◦ Hippocampus- MEMORIES
◦ Amygdala- emotions.

21. THE BRAIN- CEREBRAL CORTEX
 20-30 billion neurons can exist in a layer
of brian tissue 1/8th inch thickness.
 Two kinds of Cells:
◦ Glial cells
◦ Neurons

22. THE BRAIN- CEREBRAL CORTEX
 Major division of cerebral cortex:
1. Frontal Lobe
2. Temporal Lobe
3. Parietal Lobe
4. Occipital Lobe

23. THE BRAIN- CEREBRAL CORTEX
 Movement:
◦ Motor Cortex
 Feelings
◦ Somatosensory cortex
 Plasticity: The ability of our brain to
reprogram an a section for a new function.