Biological Psychology Lecture 2: Cells and Nervous System Anatomy PDF

PSYC1200D Biological Psycholog Lecture 2: Cells and anatomy of the nervous system Ms Sarentha Luther Credits to: Dr. Monika Sobczak- THIS lecture Cells in our nervous system: Neurons Glial Cells Anatomy of the nervous system Central Nervous Sys...

PSYC1200D Biological Psycholog Lecture 2: Cells and anatomy of the nervous system Ms Sarentha Luther Credits to: Dr. Monika Sobczak- THIS lecture Cells in our nervous system: Neurons Glial Cells Anatomy of the nervous system Central Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System  The brain controls behaviour (but relationship is reciprocal) Brain must know what is happening in the environment in order that behaviour is useful and appropriate All of this is possible due to the millions of cells that make up our nervous system. The cells of the nervous system NEURONS GLIAL CELLS  The Neuron Soma (or Cell Body); Dendrites; Axon; Terminal Button  Dendrites - from Greek ‘Dendron’ - tree. Many branched cellular extensions receive the input of information from other neurons Soma - contains the nucleus of the cell, integrates inputs received by neuron Axon - long tube structure (covered by myelin coating) transports information from soma to terminal buttons. Terminal buttons (or Axon Terminals) - communicate the information received from axon to other neurons.  INPUT - DENDRITES INTEGRATION - SOMA (primarily) CONDUCTION - AXON OUTPUT - TERMINAL BUTTONS http://www.dnatube.com/video/5886/Neuron-System-and-S tructure Neurons Glial Cells Neurons are supported by Glial Cells 3 important types of glial cells: 1.Astrocytes 2.Oligodendrocytes 3.Microglia 1. Astrocytes ‘Star Cell’ Hold neurons in place Produce some chemicals that neurons need to function – cf. extracellular fluid Provide nourishment to neurons (they are linked to blood vessels) Clean up dead neurons  2. Oligodendrocytes Support axon Produce myelin coating Note - in PNS myelin is made by Schwann cells 3. Microglia Work with the immune system Protect brain from infection Responsible for inflammation that follows brain damage. Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems  Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems Central Nervous System (CNS) Comprised of the brain and spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Comprised of nerve tissue located outside of the brain and spinal cord. Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of Peripheral Nervous System Somatic nervous system: consists of axons conveying messages from the sense organs to the CNS and from the CNS to the muscles Autonomic nervous system: controls the heart, intestines, and other organs The Autonomic Nervous System Sends and receives messages to regulate the automatic behaviors of the body (heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, etc.) Divided into two subsystems The sympathetic nervous system The parasympathetic nervous system This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC. The Sympathetic Nervous System The sympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that prepares the organs for vigorous activity: increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, etc. (“fight or flight” response) The Parasympathetic Nervous System The parasympathetic nervous system facilitates vegetative, nonemergency responses: decreases functions increased by the sympathetic nervous system. dominant during our relaxed states. 18 Neuroanatomy Anatomy of the brain = the structure of the brain Neuroanatomy: Direction Terminology anterior (towards the front) posterior (towards the back) dorsal (towards the top) ventral (towards the bottom)  - Top - Dorsal - Back - Front - Posterio - Anterior r - Bottom - Ventral Neuroanatomy Those are names of directions and views Brain is understood through looking at different sections These are known as ‘slices’ Neuroanatomy These slices are taken in three different directions This means we can build up a full 3- D image These slices are taken in three different directions Coronal slice Sagittal slice Horizontal slice  Example of building up a brain image from CORONAL slices White and Gray Matter White and Gray Matter Two shades can be seen in images of the brain WHITE and GREY matter White and Gray Matter Lighter WHITE MATTER is mostly communication tracts (axons) covered with MYELIN It is the myelin that makes them appear white White and Gray Matter Lighter WHITE MATTER is mostly communication tracts (axons) covered with MYELIN It is the myelin that makes them appear white The darker GRAY MATTER is cell bodies (soma) and dendrites White and Gray Matter The darker GRAY MATTER is cell bodies (soma) and dendrites It is the ‘Grey Matter’ that is the CEREBRAL CORTEX The ‘thinking’ – COGNITIVE part of our brains Cerebral Hemispheres They are full of wrinkles – folds. The ridges called GYRI (sing. GYRUS) The dips called SULCI (sing. SULCUS) Lobes of the cerebral hemispheres Frontal lobe Parietal Lobe Temporal Lobe Occipital Lobe Cerebral hemispheres The outer part of the cerebral hemispheres is that grey matter -the CEREBRAL CORTEX (‘bark’) Where cognitions and ‘higher’ functions take place – speech, memory, planning, attention…  Lobes of the cerebral hemispheres Simplified descriptions of the function of the lobes Frontal – Motor control - Planning Parietal - Touch – Spatial Representation - Attention Temporal – Hearing - Memory Occipital – Vision SUMMARY: Cells of Nervous System: Neurons (their structure and function) and Glial Cells (types and function) Nervous System Structure: Central Nervous System (CNS) Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Somatic Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System 1. Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates "fight or flight" responses (e.g., increased heart rate). 2. Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body and conserves energy. Recommended reading Kolb & Whishaw Chapter2