PSYC 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Neuroplasticity, Cerebellum, Midbrain

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Jens C Pruessner

Document Summary

E volution: works to improve reproductive success; it doesn"t have a conscious purpose. Behavioral neuroscience: biological basis of animal/human behavior; nervous system. Stimulus: feature in environment that may evoke response. Receptors: cells in nervous sys; sense stimuli; stimulus activates receptors. Sensing processing in brain responding; brain sends signals to muscles. Contralateral conduction: each hemisphere gets input from opposite side of body. Spinal cord: in vertebral column, 24 bones/vertebrae. ; sensory nerves enter the from back, motor nerves exit from front portion interneurons connect neurons. Reflex: an automatic behavior in response to a stimulus; occurs in spine. Pns: connects the outer portions of body w/central system; 2 divisions. Autonomi c : controls the organs and glands with regard to regulating bodily functioning. Sympathetic: mobilizes body in stress, preparing for fight or flight. Parasympathetic: slows processes that have been accelerated by sympathetic. Pineal gland: center of brain, produces melatonin; regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Pancreas: near stomach, secretes insulin; breaks down glucose (diabetes)