Brain Response of Behavior

Axia College Material

Appendix C

Brain Response of Behavior

Part I

Note: Parts II and III follow below, complete all three.

Run Multimedias 2.3 and 2.4

Go to the Web site www.prenhall.com/morris.

Click text: Psychology: An Introduction (12th ed.)

Click "2" on the select a chapter tool bar.

Click Live!Psych on the left hand menu.

Select 2.3 and 2.4.

Write a 350- to 700-word response to the following: Explain the communication process of neurons in the brain. List some common neurotransmitters and describe their effect on behavior.

Light, sound and odors, for example, are transformed by our sensory organs into a code made of series of electrical impulses that travel along neurons from the body to the brain. Information about the onset and the intensity of a stimulus is thought to be sent to the brain by the timing and frequency of these electrical impulses. How information is sorted by the brain has been an open question.

English: Immunohistochemistry for alpha-synuclein ...

Figure 1

Figure 2

The group discovered that different neurons in the brain are dedicated to respond to specific portions of the information.

Dopamine

Dopamine produces excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, depending on the postsynaptic receptor.

Most dopamine is produced and secreted by the Substantia Nigra.

Degeneration of the Substantia Nigra causes Parkinson's Disease, a movement disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity of the limbs, poor balance, and difficulty in initiating movement. The cell bodies of the neurons that produce dopamine are located in the Substantia Nigra. People with Parkinson's disease are given L-Dopa, a drug that stimulates the production of dopamine, thus causing more dopamine to be released by the surviving dopaminergic neurons.

Role of dopamine

Involved in controlling or initiating movement

Regulation of mood. Imbalances of dopamine have been associated with disorders such as schizophrenia or depression.

Norepinephrine

Also known as noradrenaline

Produced from Dopamine in the cytoplasm of the terminal button and stored in synaptic vesicles.

Role of Norepinephrine

In the brain, norepinephrine is released by the Locus Coeruleus, and has an inhibitory effect. It is believed that in the CNS, norepinephrine is primarily involved in control of alertness and wakefulness.

In the sympathetic nervous system norepinephrine has an excitatory effect. Released by nerves in internal organs, including the gut, spleen, and heart.

Regulation of mood. May be responsible for some symptoms of depression.

Epinephrine

Also known as adrenaline

Synthesized from norepinephrine in the adrenal medulla, the central core of the adrenal glands.

Role of Epinephrine

In the brain, the role is not entirely known, but it is believed to play a role in the way the brain regulates blood pressure.

In the periphery, it is the main circulating exciting transmitter released during the "fight or flight" stress reactions.

* It is important to note that most of the receptors sensitive to norepinephine are also sensitive to epinephrine. All of these receptors are coupled to G proteins that generate the second messenger cyclic AMP.

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Part II

Refer to Ch. 2 (pp. 58-78) In Psychology: An Introduction.

Write a 350- to 700-word response identifying the major regions of the brain and what functions of behavior the systems of each region control.

�Part III

Consider the following chain of events. Describe in 350-700 words the sensory process that takes place as the scenario unfolds.