(Not on Exam)
Section 1.
Biological Psych Background-
- Behavior is explained through biology
- neuroscience= more emphasis on chemistry and anatomy (different than biopsych)
- Mind-body problem: relationship between biological activity and
behavior/function/consciousness
- Dualism- mind and body are different substances- exists independently
- Monism- only one substance/being composes the universe- exists as one in unison
Section 2.
Four explanations of behavior:
- 1. Physiological
- Behavior is caused by brain/organ activity
- Ex: heart racing because of excitement
- Increased stress hormones leads to dilated pupils
- 2. Ontogenetic (genesis of being)
- Development of structure or behavior
- Influence of genes, nutritions, experiences
- 3. Evolutionary
- Examines (dis)continuity of behavior from ancestors to present
- 4. Functional
- Why a behavior evolved as it did- how does it help/hurt
- Goosebumps causing hairs to stand up
Section 3.
Ethics of Conducting Research
- Human Research
- US Dept of Health and APA produce guidelines
- Maximizes gain in knowledge but minimizes participant risk
- Informed consent, participate in their free will, confidentiality guaranteed,
debriefing, right to withdraw
- Animal Research
- Goes through protocol review with inspections during experiments- Animal
Welfare Act and Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
- Why do animals?
- Mechanisms of behavior are similar across species (basic anatomy)
- Interests in animals
- Human evolution insight
, - Legal restrictions on human research
- Drug treatment discoveries for medical diseases
- “The Three R’s”
- 1. Reduction- Use fewer animals
- 2. Replacement- computer models if possible
- 3. Refinement- reduce pain and discomfort
CHAPTER 1:
Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses
- Brain contains about 100 billion neurons (varies between people)
- Don’t regenerate
- Santiago Ramon y Cajal: used staining on neurons to find that they had small gaps
between each other (instead of growing into each other)
- Discovered that the brain is also composed of individual cells
- Camillo Golgi: developed a procedure for staining neurons
- Allowed viewing of the nerve cells
Nervous system has two types of cells:
1. Neurons: Cells that send and receive info to other cells electrically
a. Contain the following same basic structure of other animal cells:
i. Plasma Membrane with protein channels to allow ions to cross into brain
ii. Nucleus- contains the dna and chromosomes
iii. Mitochondria- provides the cell with energy- requires fuel and oxygen
iv. Ribosomes- Make proteins in the cells
v. Endoplasmic Reticulum- Transports proteins to other locations in cell
Structure of Neuron Specifically
- Larger Neurons
1. Dendrites: Branching fibers. Use synaptic receptors which help dendrites receive info
from other neurons
a. Dendritic spines: Short outgrowths that are found of the dendritic branches
2. Cell body (above functions listed)
3. Axon: Sending part of the neuron- via electrical impulse. A long thin fiber.
, 4. Presynaptic terminal (end bulb): Releases chemicals that cross between neurons.
The swollen part at the tip of axon
5. Myelin Sheath: insulating covering found on vertebrate axons
a. Important bc loss of conduction and energy efficiency reduces movement, motor
sensory, and cognitive functions
-Multiple Sclerosis (MS): loss of tissue (myelin) causes increased fluid in brain
-central nervous system
-Guillain-Barre Syndrome: damaged myelin–but can be treated unlike MS
- Peripheral nervous system
- Viral infection
6. Nodes of Raniver: interruptions along the myelin sheath
vi. Small neurons may lack well-defined dendrites + axons
Second Type of Cell:
2. Glia - greek for “glue”
a. Do not transmit information like neurons, are smaller, and more numerous
Glial Cell Functions (overall overview)
- Support and protect neurons
- Surround & insulate
- Hold in place
Section 1.
Biological Psych Background-
- Behavior is explained through biology
- neuroscience= more emphasis on chemistry and anatomy (different than biopsych)
- Mind-body problem: relationship between biological activity and
behavior/function/consciousness
- Dualism- mind and body are different substances- exists independently
- Monism- only one substance/being composes the universe- exists as one in unison
Section 2.
Four explanations of behavior:
- 1. Physiological
- Behavior is caused by brain/organ activity
- Ex: heart racing because of excitement
- Increased stress hormones leads to dilated pupils
- 2. Ontogenetic (genesis of being)
- Development of structure or behavior
- Influence of genes, nutritions, experiences
- 3. Evolutionary
- Examines (dis)continuity of behavior from ancestors to present
- 4. Functional
- Why a behavior evolved as it did- how does it help/hurt
- Goosebumps causing hairs to stand up
Section 3.
Ethics of Conducting Research
- Human Research
- US Dept of Health and APA produce guidelines
- Maximizes gain in knowledge but minimizes participant risk
- Informed consent, participate in their free will, confidentiality guaranteed,
debriefing, right to withdraw
- Animal Research
- Goes through protocol review with inspections during experiments- Animal
Welfare Act and Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
- Why do animals?
- Mechanisms of behavior are similar across species (basic anatomy)
- Interests in animals
- Human evolution insight
, - Legal restrictions on human research
- Drug treatment discoveries for medical diseases
- “The Three R’s”
- 1. Reduction- Use fewer animals
- 2. Replacement- computer models if possible
- 3. Refinement- reduce pain and discomfort
CHAPTER 1:
Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses
- Brain contains about 100 billion neurons (varies between people)
- Don’t regenerate
- Santiago Ramon y Cajal: used staining on neurons to find that they had small gaps
between each other (instead of growing into each other)
- Discovered that the brain is also composed of individual cells
- Camillo Golgi: developed a procedure for staining neurons
- Allowed viewing of the nerve cells
Nervous system has two types of cells:
1. Neurons: Cells that send and receive info to other cells electrically
a. Contain the following same basic structure of other animal cells:
i. Plasma Membrane with protein channels to allow ions to cross into brain
ii. Nucleus- contains the dna and chromosomes
iii. Mitochondria- provides the cell with energy- requires fuel and oxygen
iv. Ribosomes- Make proteins in the cells
v. Endoplasmic Reticulum- Transports proteins to other locations in cell
Structure of Neuron Specifically
- Larger Neurons
1. Dendrites: Branching fibers. Use synaptic receptors which help dendrites receive info
from other neurons
a. Dendritic spines: Short outgrowths that are found of the dendritic branches
2. Cell body (above functions listed)
3. Axon: Sending part of the neuron- via electrical impulse. A long thin fiber.
, 4. Presynaptic terminal (end bulb): Releases chemicals that cross between neurons.
The swollen part at the tip of axon
5. Myelin Sheath: insulating covering found on vertebrate axons
a. Important bc loss of conduction and energy efficiency reduces movement, motor
sensory, and cognitive functions
-Multiple Sclerosis (MS): loss of tissue (myelin) causes increased fluid in brain
-central nervous system
-Guillain-Barre Syndrome: damaged myelin–but can be treated unlike MS
- Peripheral nervous system
- Viral infection
6. Nodes of Raniver: interruptions along the myelin sheath
vi. Small neurons may lack well-defined dendrites + axons
Second Type of Cell:
2. Glia - greek for “glue”
a. Do not transmit information like neurons, are smaller, and more numerous
Glial Cell Functions (overall overview)
- Support and protect neurons
- Surround & insulate
- Hold in place
