Physiological Bases of Behavior

PSYCHOLOGY 101
PHYSIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• The nervous system is essentially a
biological information highway, and is
responsible for controlling all the biological
processes and movement in the body, and
can also receive information and interpret it
via electrical signals.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
- consists of many nerve

cells, also known as
neurons.
THE NEURON - neuron is a nerve cell;
it has a cell body, a very long axon
sheathed in myelin, and many tiny
branches called dendrites..
PARTS OF A NEURON
AXONS- these are long cytoplasmic
tubes, they carry electric impulses
from one part of the body to another.
They are insulated from each other by
their myelin sheaths.
DENDRITES - these are tiny branches
on the cell body and at the ends of all
neurones. The dendrites of one cell do
not actually touch the dendrites of any
other cell. There are very tiny gaps
between them called synapses.
SYNAPSES - these are the gaps between
the dendrites of one neuron and the cell
body of another one. There is no electrical
connection between nerve cells. when one
neuron stimulates another it does so by
secreting a chemical into the synapse. Many
drugs work by interfering with these chemical
transmitters.
Classification of Neurons
AFFERENT NEURONS or SENSORY NEURONS
- Collects impulses from sense organs and direct these
impulses to the spinal cord or to the brain (CNS).
EFFERENT NEURONS or MOTOR NEURONS-
carry impulses from the CNS to the muscles and glands.
These neurons cause muscle to contract & glands to secrete.
CONNECTOR NEURONS/INTERNEURONS
- connects the sensory and motor neurons. Found in the
brain and spinal cord. The various complex connections
which mediate our behavior are provided by connector
neurons.
NERVE IMPULSE
CONNECTIONS OF NEURONS
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
• Communication of information between
neurons is accomplished by movement of
chemicals across a small gap called the
synapse.
• Chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are
released from one neuron at the presynaptic
nerve terminal. Neurotransmitters then cross
the synapse where they may be accepted by
the next neuron at a specialized site called a
receptor.
EXAMPLES OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS
• Acetylcholine is found in both the central and
peripheral nervous systems.
• Dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine
are a group of neurotransmitters called
"catecholamines". Norepinephrine is also
called "noradrenalin" and epinephrine is also
called "adrenalin".
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
- is effectively the centre of the nervous
system, the part of it that processes the
information received from the peripheral
nervous system. The CNS consists of the
brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for
receiving and interpreting signals from the
peripheral nervous system and also sends
out signals to it, either consciously or
unconsciously.
The Central Nervous System (CNS)- consists of:
THE BRAIN
2 hemispheres of the Brain
The brain is divided in 3 major parts:
1. HINDBRAIN
2. MIDBRAIN
3. FOREBRAIN
HINDBRAIN
- Is close to the spinal cord
- Composed of the Medulla Oblongata, Pons And
Cerebellum
MEDULLA OBLONGATA – has an important role in
heartbeat, breathing, and blood circulation.
PONS – lies in the brainstem just above the medulla
oblongata.
CEREBELLUM – maintains posture, coordinates
muscular activities. Such as walking, writing &
dancing.
- called organ of motor coordination.
MIDBRAIN
• Serves as a connecting link between
hindbrain and forebrain
• Portions of the midbrain have a special role

in visual and auditory activities.
FOREBRAIN
• Differentiates man’s brain from animals.
• Is composed of two large hemispheres
• Important parts are:
- THALAMUS
- HYPOTHALAMUS
- CEREBRUM
Peripheral Nervous System
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
– is composed of nerve fibers and nerve
cells not found in the CNS.
• Made up of 2 major divisions:
1. SOMATIC SYSTEM – made up
of sensory system & motor nerves
that activate skeletal (voluntary)
muscles responsible for movement.
- Has 43 pairs of major nerves that
compose the somatic system.
- 12 pairs of cranial nerves

- 31 pairs of spinal nerves
12 pairs of cranial nerves
• To help memorize each, a mnemonic is often used by
students such as . . .
"On Old Olympic Towering Tops A Finn
And German Viewed Some Hops"
2. AUTONOMIC SYSTEM
-made up of 2 parts:
1. SYMPATHETIC - it is responsible
for the mobilization and expenditure of
body energies especially to stressful
emergency & threatening situations.
- Speeds us heart rate, blood pressure,
etc.
- causes activation & energy expenditure
2. PARASYMPATHETIC
- It calms the body after the emergency
situation is resolved.
- Slows down heart rate, bp, etc.
- Energy conserving.
EXAMPLE OF SYMPA versus PARA:
Sexual arousal is controlled by the
sympathetic while sexual orgasm is the
function of the parasympathetic.
THE
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
Parts of ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:
1. PITUITARY GLAND
2. GONADS
3. THYROID GLAND
4. ADRENAL GLAND
5. ISLETS OF LANGERHANS
6. PARATHYROID GLAND

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PSYCHOLOGY 101

PHYSIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR

- consists of many nerve

• Portions of the midbrain have a special role

- 12 pairs of cranial nerves

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