PSY140 Lesson 2: Physiology of Learning Notes PDF

PSY140 handout 2_JDayao 1 Lesson 2. The Physiology of Learning The Nervous System 1. Central Nervous System (CNS) – coordina on center; connects what we s...

PSY140 handout 2_JDayao 1 Lesson 2. The Physiology of Learning The Nervous System 1. Central Nervous System (CNS) – coordina on center; connects what we sense with what we do a. brain b. spinal cord 2. Peripheral Nervous System – messenger system; carries informa on from the environment to the brain and carries direc ons from the brain to various body parts a. Soma c nervous system b. Autonomic nervous system Neurons  are the basic units of the nervous system, with approximately 86 billion of them being found in the brain  transmit and carry informa on making it possible for different areas of the brain to communicate with each other, as well as for the brain to communicate with other parts of the body. Glial cells  cells that surround the neurons providing structural and physiological support; outnumber neurons with approximately 100 billion glial cells being found in just the brain alone  also regulate the genera on and func on of synapses The materials provided to you in any form is intended only for your use in connec on with the course you are enrolled in. It is not for distribu on or sale. Permission should be obtained from your instructor for any use other than what it is intended.  PSY140 handout 2_JDayao 2 Structure of a Neuron 1. Dendrites – receiving part of the neuron, collec ng informa on from other neurons 2. Cell body – contains the nucleus 3. Nucleus – directs the manufacture of the substances that the neuron uses for its growth, communica on, and maintenance 4. Axon – part of the neuron that caries informa on away from the cell body to other cells 5. Myelin sheath – a layer of fat cells that encases most axons; made up of glial cells 6. Terminal bu ons – rounded structures at the end of the axon which contains synap c vesicles filled with neurotransmi ers  Neurons transfer informa on via an electrochemical process ending with the release of neurotransmi ers into the synapse  Synapse – ny gaps between neurons  Neurotransmi ers – chemical substances that carry informa on across the synap c gap Neural Pathways 1. afferent nerves or sensory nerves carry informa on to the brain 2. efferent nerves or motor nerves carry the brain’s output 3. interneurons are central nervous system neurons that mediate sensory input and motor input; can be found only in the brain, eyes, and spinal cord The materials provided to you in any form is intended only for your use in connec on with the course you are enrolled in. It is not for distribu on or sale. Permission should be obtained from your instructor for any use other than what it is intended.  PSY140 handout 2_JDayao 3 Brain Structure and Func on Hindbrain is located at the skull’s rear and is the lowest por on of the brain. It is involved in many physiological processes that keep us alive. 1. Medulla – helps control our breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also regulates a por on of reflexes that allow us to maintain an upright posture 2. Cerebellum – consists of two rounded structures thought to play important roles in balance and complex motor behavior 3. Pons – bridge in the hindbrain that contains several clusters of fibers involved in sleep and arousal Midbrain is located between the hindbrain and the forebrain connec ng the higher and lower por ons of the brain. It relays informa on between the brain, eyes and ears. Re cular forma on – a diffuse collec on of neurons involved in stereotyped pa erns of behavior such as walking, sleeping, or turning to a end to sudden noise. It is the key player in a en on and consciousness. Forebrain is the highest region of the human brain Limbic system – a loosely connected network of structures under the cerebral cortex which plays important roles in memory and emo ons. 1. amygdala – located at the base of temporal lobe and involved in the discrimina on of objects that are important for the organism’s survival and emo ons 2. hippocampus – involved in a en on, learning, and the storage of memories. The Limbic System The materials provided to you in any form is intended only for your use in connec on with the course you are enrolled in. It is not for distribu on or sale. Permission should be obtained from your instructor for any use other than what it is intended.  PSY140 handout 2_JDayao 4 Thalamus – sits on top of the brain stem in the central core of the brain, serves as a very important relay sta on. Hypothalamus – much smaller than the thalamus and about the size of a kidney bean; regulates ac vi es related to survival (ea ng, drinking, sex), helps direct the endocrine system, and is involved in stress, emo on and reward Corpus callosum – a broad band of nerve fibers connect the le and right hemisphere of the brain Cerebrum – involved in more complex adap ve processes such as learning, percep on, and mo va on  cerebral cortex – outermost layer of the cerebrum  convolu ons – folds on the cerebral surface which increases the volume of the cerebral cortex Four Anatomical Lobes 1. Frontal Lobe – found behind the forehead, involved in the control of muscles, intelligence, and personality 2. Parietal Lobe – found at the top of the head and toward the rear, involved in bodily sensa on 3. Temporal Lobe – found just above the ears, involved in hearing 4. Occipital Lobe – found at the back of the head, involved in visual func oning Le and Right Brain Func ons Although the cerebrum is symmetrical in structure, with two lobes emerging from the brain stem and matching motor and sensory areas in each, certain intellectual func ons are restricted to one hemisphere. A person’s dominant hemisphere is usually occupied with language and logical opera ons, while the other hemisphere controls emo on and ar s c and spa al skills. In nearly all right-handed and many le -handed people, the le hemisphere is dominant. The materials provided to you in any form is intended only for your use in connec on with the course you are enrolled in. It is not for distribu on or sale. Permission should be obtained from your instructor for any use other than what it is intended.  PSY140 handout 2_JDayao 5 Brain Development Prenatal development:  Forma on of neurons beginning 25 days a er concep on  Migra on of neurons to various parts of the nervous system beginning second trimester  Forma on of synapses  Myelina on  May be affected by gene c factors or teratogens At birth  Brain is ¼ of its adult size Infancy and early childhood  At age 3, brain is ¾ of its adult size  Synaptogenesis – forma on of neural connec ons  Differen a on – neurons take on par cular func ons  Myelina on – process of coa ng the axon with myelin con nues  Synap c pruning – elimina on of synapses in the brain that are weaker, facilita ng the growth of a stronger, more efficient brain  May be affected by environmental factors and opportuni es for learning Middle childhood and adulthood  Brain’s full size is reached during adolescence  Synap c pruning con nues during adolescent years  Myelina on con nues into adulthood  May be affected by environmental factors and opportuni es for learning Neuroplas city is the brain’s ability to change and adapt due to experience Cri cal periods of brain development  limited age ranges in which par cular kinds of environmental s mula on have their greatest impact  exists for experience-expectant skills but not for experience dependent domains and skills The materials provided to you in any form is intended only for your use in connec on with the course you are enrolled in. It is not for distribu on or sale. Permission should be obtained from your instructor for any use other than what it is intended.  PSY140 handout 2_JDayao 6 Physiological Basis of Learning How?  Synap c connec ons  Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain  Synap c consolida on refers to cellular processes that are engaged to support the strengthening of the synapses in a local circuit Where?  Frontal lobe in par cular; all lobes in general  Hippocampus  Amygdala References: Atkinson, R.L., Atkinson, R.C., Hilgard, E., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2014). Introduc on to Psychology (16th ed). USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Bransford, J.D., Brown, A.L., & Cocking, R.R. (Eds.). (2000). How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School (Expanded Edi on). Washington, D.C.: Na onal Academy Press Omrod, J. (2020). Human Learning (8th edi on). Boston, MA: Pearson Educa on Ltd. The materials provided to you in any form is intended only for your use in connec on with the course you are enrolled in. It is not for distribu on or sale. Permission should be obtained from your instructor for any use other than what it is intended.