Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the hormone leptin?
What is the primary function of the hormone leptin?
What is the result of inhibitory neurotransmitters binding to receptors on a neuron?
What is the result of inhibitory neurotransmitters binding to receptors on a neuron?
Which part of the nervous system is responsible for faster response to environmental stimuli?
Which part of the nervous system is responsible for faster response to environmental stimuli?
What is the name of the technique that uses magnetic fields and is especially useful for imaging soft tissues?
What is the name of the technique that uses magnetic fields and is especially useful for imaging soft tissues?
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What is the role of the thyroid hormone?
What is the role of the thyroid hormone?
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Which part of the brain is divided into the diencephalon and telencephalon?
Which part of the brain is divided into the diencephalon and telencephalon?
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What is the primary focus of biological approaches in studying behavior?
What is the primary focus of biological approaches in studying behavior?
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What is the role of the Anterior Pituitary gland in the Endocrine system?
What is the role of the Anterior Pituitary gland in the Endocrine system?
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What is the function of Oxytocin in the Endocrine system?
What is the function of Oxytocin in the Endocrine system?
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At what age do newborns exhibit the Moro reflex?
At what age do newborns exhibit the Moro reflex?
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What is the primary function of the Hypothalamus?
What is the primary function of the Hypothalamus?
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What is the role of the Posterior Pituitary gland in the Endocrine system?
What is the role of the Posterior Pituitary gland in the Endocrine system?
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Study Notes
Biological Approaches
- Focus on mechanistic processes that lead to behavior and observe behavior through experiments
- Study individual and group behavior, including influence of genetics and anxiety
Developmental Processes
- Newborns exhibit instinctual behaviors, such as sucking and grasping reflexes
- Reflexes are present at birth and are hard-wired, but can be influenced by environment and experience
- Critical periods of development include the first year of life and puberty/adolescence
Endocrine System
- Pituitary gland regulates hormones and influences behavior
- Hormones released by the pituitary gland include ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH, and GH
- Other endocrine glands include the adrenal cortex/medulla, gonads, thyroid, parathyroid, and pancreas
- Important hormones and their functions:
- Oxytocin: bonding, empathy, and trust; uterine contractions and milk letdown reflex during lactation
- Prolactin: lactation; implicated in postpartum depression
- Leptin: satiety
- Ghrelin: hunger
- Neuropeptide Y: appetite
- Epinephrine/norepinephrine: acute stress response
- Cortisol: various cardiovascular, metabolic, immunologic, and homeostatic functions
- Thyroid hormone: metabolic rate, neural development
Nervous System
- Afferent (sensory) neurons send signals to the CNS, efferent (motor) neurons send signals from the CNS to effector
- Somatic motor neurons synapse at neuromuscular junctions and cause muscle contraction through the release of acetylcholine
- Neurotransmitters interact with receptors on dendrites of neurons, influencing the resting membrane potential
- Resting membrane potential of a neuron is -70 mV, which can be increased (depolarization) or decreased (hyperpolarization) by neurotransmitters
- Chemicals can act as agonists (stimulate response) or antagonists (block receptor)
Peripheral and Autonomic Nervous Systems
- Peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the CNS, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
- Autonomic nervous system regulates the gastrointestinal system and is involved in somatic regulation
- Sympathetic nervous system is involved in the "fight or flight" response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is involved in relaxation and digestion
Central Nervous System
- Includes the brain and spinal cord
- Brain regions include:
- Hindbrain: cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata
- Midbrain: substantia nigra, superior and inferior colliculi
- Forebrain: largest region, divided into diencephalon and telencephalon
- Spinal cord regions include:
- Cervical (7 vertebrae)
- Thoracic (12 vertebrae)
- Lumbar (5 vertebrae)
- Sacral (5 vertebrae)
Brain Imaging Techniques
- CT scans use X-rays to image the brain
- EEG measures activity in different areas of the brain through electrodes
- MRI uses magnetic fields to image the brain, especially useful for soft tissues
- fMRI measures perfusion of brain regions
- PET scans use radiolabeled glucose to measure metabolic activity
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Description
Learn about biological approaches to psychology, including genetics, mechanistic processes, and observations of behavior in individuals and groups. Understand how these approaches influence our understanding of anxiety, traits, and social behaviors.
