Class notes AP Psychology - The brain & CNS

neuroanatomy, psychology, and biology. # Comprehensive Study Notes: Neuroanatomy of the Brain and the Neuron These documents are detailed, handwritten study notes focusing on biological psychology and neuroanatomy. They feature well-drawn diagrams alongside meticulously outlined definitions and functions of various brain structures, the nervous system, and cellular communication via neurons. ## Document 1: The Brain This page features a large, central sagittal cross-section diagram of the human brain, labeled with key anatomical structures. Below the diagram, the notes are organized into four main sections detailing the functions of different brain regions. ### Labeled Diagram Features The detailed sketch of the brain points to the following structures: * Cerebral Cortex (labeled "stores info") * Frontal Lobe, Parietal Lobe, Occipital Lobe, Temporal Lobe, and Limbic Lobe * Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland * Pons, Medulla, Spinal Cord, Cerebellum * Thalamus, Hippocampus, Pineal Gland, Corpus Callosum ### Transcribed Notes **A. Lobes** * **I. Frontal Lobe:** Responsible for voluntary movement, language, and higher-level cognition. * *i. Primary Motor Cortex:* Movement. * *ii. Prefrontal Cortex:* Executive functions. * *iii. Broca's Area (Left):* Speech production and language comprehension. * **II. Temporal Lobe:** Processes auditory sensory input and interprets the meaning of sight. * *i. Primary Auditory Cortex (Left):* Understands semantics in speech and vision. * *ii. Wernicke's Area (Left):* Understands written and spoken language. * **III. Occipital Lobe:** Vision. * **IV. Parietal Lobe:** Sensory info from different parts of the body. * *i. Somatosensory Cortex:* Map of your body. **B. Limbic System** *(Note: The author has included several brainstem/hindbrain structures under this heading).* * **I. Thalamus:** Directs signals to different areas of the brain. * **II. Hypothalamus:** Maintains homeostasis via e.g., hormones and hunger. * **III. Hippocampus:** Direction, memory, and learning. * **IV. Medulla:** Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. * **V. Spinal Cord:** Body movement and balance. * **VI. Pons:** Relaxation. * **VII. Amygdala:** Process emotions. * **VIII. Cerebellum:** Motor control, balance, equilibrium, etc. * **IX. Corpus Callosum:** Keeps brain intact. **C. Glands** * **I. Pineal Gland:** Produces melatonin. * **II. Pituitary Gland:** Regulates growth, metabolism, and reproduction through hormones. **D. Hemispheres** * **I. Left:** Controls the right side of the body, language, speech, executive functions, logic, and memory. * **II. Right:** Controls the left side of the body, visual perception, facial recognition, pattern recognition, emotion, arts, and processes the whole. * *Diagram:* A small sketch demonstrates the crossover of the left and right visual fields to opposite brain hemispheres. ## Document 2: The Neuron This page focuses on cellular neuroscience, detailing the structure of a neuron, the mechanism of action potentials, synaptic transmission, and neurotransmitters. It features a large drawing of a neuron, a close-up of a synapse, and a diagram of a reflex arc. ### Labeled Diagram Features * **Main Neuron:** Cell membrane, dendrites, soma (with nucleus), axon, myelin sheath, terminal axon branches, and synaptic knobs. * **Synapse Close-Up:** Shows the terminal button (synaptic knob) releasing neurotransmitters across the synaptic cleft to bind to receptor sites on a receiving dendrite, illustrating a "lock & key" mechanism. * **Reflex Arc:** A diagram of a human torso and arm showing "incoming info from sensory neurons" (originating at skin receptors), traveling to the spinal cord/brain, and sending "motor neuron outgoing info" back to the muscles. ### Transcribed Notes **A. Structures** * **I. Cell Membrane:** Protects soma. * **II. Soma:** Contains DNA. * **III. Dendrites:** Receives info from other neurons. * **IV. Axon:** Where electrical impulses from the neuron travel to be received by other neurons. * **V. Myelin Sheath:** Speeds up transmission down the axon. * **VI. Synaptic Knobs:** Enable communication and transmission in the nervous system. **A.a. Synapse** * **I. Synaptic Vesicles:** Hold the neurotransmitters in the axon until synapse. * **II. Synaptic Cleft:** Space between less than a millionth of an inch wide. * **III. Receptor Sites:** Where the neurotransmitters (NT) lock onto. **B. Neurons Firing** * **I. Neural Transmission:** Process by which info travels through a neuron. * **II. Action Potential:** Neuron sending info down axon (electrical + & - charge; firing). * **III. Synapse:** Chemical part when neurotransmitters are released. * **IV. Reuptake:** After neurotransmitters stimulate receptor sites, they're taken back up into the neuron to be used again. * **V. Resting Potential:** Difference in - & + charges for firing until threshold is reached. * **VI. Threshold:** Level of stimulation the soma uses to decide whether to tell the axon to create electricity. **Key Principles (Standalone Bullet Points)** * **All-or-None Principle:** Means the neuron either fires 100%, or not at all. * **Refractory Period:** Is recovery time post-firing. * **Depolarization:** Phase of action potential where the inside of the neuron becomes less negative (-) compared to the outside. **D. Neurotransmitters** *(Includes structural shorthand sketches for some).* * **I. Acetylcholine:** Responsible for memory and learning. * **II. Dopamine:** Responsible for pleasure. * **III. Endorphins:** Pain control and regulate your emotions. * **IV. GABA:** Calming. * **V. Norepinephrine:** Your fight or flight response. * **VI. Serotonin:** Stabilize mood and decrease appetite. * **VII. Glutamate:** Your appetite. **Receptor Mechanisms** * **I. Excitatory NTMs:** Cause firing. * **II. Inhibitory NTMs:** Prevent firing. * **III. Agonist:** Mimic/enhance NTMs, mimics for the most part (lock & key). * **IV. Antagonist:** Blocks/reduces a cell's response to the action of other chemicals or NTMs.