Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

Module 3

Brains Building Blocks

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Alzheimers Disease
results from excessive buildup of toxic substances
which destroy neurons that receive/transmit
electrical signals
Whats a good test to identify the possibility of
Alzheimer's?

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

PERIPHERAL & CENTRAL NERVOUS

SYSTEM

Central Nervous System

made up of neurons located in the brain & spinal
cord
Peripheral Nervous System
made up of nerves that are located throughout the
body, except in the brain & spinal cord
nerves in the peripheral nervous system have the
ability to regrow, regenerate, or reattach if severed
or damaged

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

NEUROTRANSMITTER
Neurotransmitters
dozens of different chemicals that are made by
neurons and then used for communication
between neurons during the performance of
mental or physical activities
Example: Dopamine
A deficiency in the neurotransmitter, Dopamine, can
cause some Parkinsons symptoms

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

VVC

p55 alcohol

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

WHAT DOES ALCOHOL DO?

GABA Neurons
GABA neurons have chemical locks that can be
opened by chemical keys in the form of the
neurotransmitter, GABA
GABA Keys
alcohol molecules so closely resemble those of
the GABA neurotransmitter that alcohol can
function like GABA keys and open GABA
receptors
when GABA neurons are excited, they decrease
neural activity

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

REFLEX

Reflex
unlearned, involuntary reaction to some stimulus
neural connections underlying a reflex are
prewired by genetic instructions

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

REFLEX (CONT.)

Reflex sequence
sensors
sensors trigger neurons that start the
withdrawal effect
afferent neurons
carry information from the senses to the spinal
cord

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

REFLEX (CONT.)

Interneuron
relatively short neuron whose primary task is
making connections between other neurons
Efferent neuron
carry information away from the spinal cord to
produce responses in various muscles and
organs throughout the body

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

p56 reflex

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

PARKINSONS DISEASE
Parkinsons Disease
includes symptoms of tremors and shakes in the
limbs, a slowing of voluntary movements, and
feelings of depression
as the disease progresses, patients develop a
shuffling walk and may suddenly freeze in space
for minute or hours at a time

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

PARKINSONS DISEASE
Parkinsons Disease
It is caused by destruction of neurons that produce
dopamine
L-dopa is a medication that boosts the levels of
dopamine in the brain
eventually the drug causes involuntary jerky
movements
after prolonged use, L-dopas beneficial effect may
be replaced by unwanted jerky movements

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

FETAL TISSUE TRANSPLANTS

Sterotaxic procedure
fixing a patients head in a holder and drilling a
small hole through the skull
the holder has a syringe that can be precisely
guided into a predetermined location in the brain

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

FETAL TISSUE TRANSPLANTS (CONT.)

To date, about 150 Parkinsons patients have been
treated with fetal tissue transplants
about 30 to 60% showed substantial
improvement, but none have been completely
cured
patients under 60 showed most improvement,
while those over 60 reported little or no
improvement in symptoms

Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik

Module 3: Brains Building Blocks

Thinking & the Speed of Neural Transmission

Even simple mental processing takes a measurable amount of time
Neural transmission is a physical process within our bodies
We are measuring reaction time/the amount of time to:
Perceive a stimulus
Select a response, and
Execute a response
Part I: Hand squeeze--Stand up in rows of 10; Have another student
stand in front of each row; Hold hands; Close eyes
Repeat twice
Part II: Opposite shoulder squeeze (a small increase in complexity
involves more circuitry) Repeat twice
Does thinking take time? Thinking is a physical process