walter kovacs
Appendix C

Brain Response of Behavior

Part I

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

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.

Neurons are vital in brain function, and both receive and send information. The brain holds as much as 100 billion neurons. A neuron is composed of a nucleus, cytoplasm, and a cell membrane. Dendrites are tiny fibers that pick up messages from other neurons and send them to the cell body. The axon is a single fiber that carries information to glands, muscles or other neurons. The process begins with a message sent from a presynaptic neuron. The message travels through the axon and reaches the terminal buttons which release neurotransmitters housed in synaptic vesicles. Neurotransmitters are then released into the space between the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters cross this space and combine with receptors of the postsynaptic neuron. The message is relayed and the neurotransmitter detaches from the receptor, and is recycled, disposed, or reabsorbed. Acetylcholine (ACh) is responsible for controlling arousal, attention, motivation, and movement. Too much ACh causes spasms and tremors, too little causes paralysis or torpor. Dopamine is responsible for emotions and behaviors. Pleasure and pain are also controlled by dopamine. Excessive amount lead to mental disorders, and lack of this neurotransmitter can cause involuntary muscle spasms. Serotonin is a well known neurotransmitter, and it is responsible for regulating sleep, dreams, moods, and aggressive behavior. Too much serotonin leads to anxiety and impulsiveness. Endorphins are often released during exercise, and are involved with restricting pain. The complexity of neurotransmitters and the lobes stands without argument. Each piece that works to make these signals and the function involved needs to be in place in order for the system to work properly. Remove a piece of the system and the result is chaos. Neurotransmitters and the brain are systems of the body that can only survive in unison with other systems of the body. They could never have functioned one without the other. Complexities of this system and reliance to one another point to the fact that the human body displays design and detail.
Part II

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.

The brain is composed of three major regions which are the cerebrum, limbic system, and the central core. The central core is where the spinal cord enters the skull and becomes the hindbrain. The medulla which is nearest to the spinal cord is responble for breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Pons produce chemicals that control sleep and wake cycles. The cerebellum (little brain) occupies only a small space and is responsible for psychological processes such as attention and memory. The midbrain takes on the responsibility of hearing and sight, and also is designated for regristration of pain. The thalamus is a type of relay station where much of sensory information is past through to higher levels of the brain. The hypothalamus is responsible for motivational behavior such as hunger, thirst, sex drive, and body temparture. The cerebral cortex contains four sections or lobes. Within these sections are the occipital lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and frontal lobe. The cerebral cortex makes up 80% of the weight of the human brain, and holds 70% of the neurons in the central nervous system. The occipital lobe is responsible for receiving and processing visual stimuli. The temporal lobe involves balance, visual tasks, emotions, and understanding language. The parietal lobe has to do with movement and recognition abilities. The frontal lobe coordinates messages from other lobes in the brain, and it is deals with complexsive problem solving. The limbic system is located between the central core and the cerebral hemispheres, and is key in regulating stress and controlling the features of the nervous system. located within the limbic system is the hippocampus, which deals with the formation of new memories. Remembering names, events, and people all deal with hippocampus, and damage to this area affects recollection of such items. The amygdala is also located within limbic system, and works along with the hippocampus in regulating emotions and establishing memories. Addiction has been linked to the limbic system because of the reward circuit located within it. Drug abuse and other addictive activities can overtake the brains reward system and cause the body to need the drug or activity just to feel normal.

Part III

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

[pic]

[pic]

[pic]
When a player steps onto the batting area and prepares to hit the ball, the spectator may experience a slight adrenaline dump when the visual stimuli is presented. This occurs because the eye has taken the information and sent it to the occipital lobe. The primary motor cortex has received the information and causes the adrenal glands to release hormones that cause arousal. The spectator then begins to use the prefrontal cortex, which is making a judgement about the player and his or her ability to hit the ball. At the same time the temporal lobe together with the prefrontal cortex are controlling the strong emotions being felt by the spectator. A supportive yell may be screamed out by the spectator because of the emotion involved, but the temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex are still controlling the extent of emotion being released. The frontal lobe is also working by processing the messages from the other lobes. It is also determining the factors working against his or her team by troubleshooting possibilities. The primary somatosensory cortex is registering the smell of popcorn, perfume, and cold air. It also is processing information about what is being felt in the body. The ball is thrown and the cracking sound of the bat against the ball is captured in the ear of the spectator. It is then sent through the chchlea to the temporal lobe where the sound is interpreted. At this point the brain’s prefrontal cortex will have to again regulate impulse control as the individual screams run! The occipital lobe will process the visual information on whether the runner made it to first or not. The temporal lobe will help balance the standing spectator and at the same time understand the safe or out signal from the referee. The primary motor cortex will then send the message to the body to do a slight victory dance.