Study Guide: The Brain, Neuron, and Eating Behavior– Currie
The notes below are designed to guide you through the text readings, particularly as
they relate to relevant materials covered in lecture (Sept 18, 20 and 25th). Consequently
the study guide for chapter 3 (and a few relevant pages in chapter 1) will assist you in
preparing for your next exam. You should make a strong effort to integrate these notes
with the posted lecture notes, and of course, with the notes you take in class. As with
previous chapters, you should attempt to understand the conceptual and functional
importance of the terms listed below, in addition specific meanings and definitions.
There are several points of focus within this section including an examination of how the
nervous system is studied, how it is structured (architecture), as well as the role and
function of the cerebral cortex. We will also examine the basic unit of the nervous
system, that is, the neuron, and how this cell receives, integrates and transmits signals
via action potentials and the release of chemical messengers. In addition, we focus on
the endocrine system followed by an examination of neuroplasticity.
Chapter 3: The Brain and The Nervous System
How do we study the Brain?
Clinical Observation; Neuropsychology, Experimental Techniques (lesions),
Neuroimaging (CT, MRI; fMRI, PET, EEG)
Correlation vs. Causation
Nervous System: Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
PNS: Somatic (afferent and efferent)
Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic / Parasympathetic
(afferent and efferent)
CNS: Brain, Spinal Cord and Cranial Nerves
Brain: Hindbrain, Midbrain, Forebrain (see Figures 3.8 and 3.9 for
inclusive structures – as discussed in class). Cerebral
Hemispheres; Meninges.
Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex: Frontal, Parietal, Temporal and
Occipital.
Subcortical Structures: Thalamus and Hypothalamus for example.
Limbic System: Subcortical structures (Figure 3.12)
Including: Hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala.
Concept of Lateralization; corpus callosum; commissures.
The Cortex
Primary motor area and contralateral control, motor homunculus.
Primary sensory areas and the sensory homunculus; Association Areas.
Cortical damage: action, language (Broca’s area; Wernicke’s area), and
attention.
Building Blocks of the Nervous System
Neuron: dendrites, soma, axon, motoneuron, sensory neuron, process of
transduction. Nodes of Ranvier. White matter (myelinated axons); Gray matter
(cell bodies)
Glia
Communication
Electrical activity, electrode, resting potential, action potential
Ion channels, ion pump; sodium ion (NA+)
Propagation of the action potential; all or none law; synapse
Temporal and spatial summation
Synaptic Mechanism: presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron; axon terminals;
synaptic vesicles; neurotransmitters; synaptic gap; synaptic reuptake.
Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine; serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT); GABA,
norepinephrine, dopamine
Neurotransmitter receptors; Drugs: agonists and antagonists
Interactions through the Bloodstream
Blood-Brain Barrier
Endocrine System; Hormones; Glands (see Table 3.1)
Plasticity
Changes in neuronal connections; dendritic spines; cortical reorganization;
neural stem cells.
Study Guide Chapter 1 – Currie
Eating Disorders (pp 7-11)
Biological Basis for Eating (We will revisit this topic when we discuss the
psychopharmacology of eating).
In order to more completely understand eating and its disorders the following must also
be considered:
Cultural Influences
Eating and the Social World
Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa
Cognitive Control of Eating
Conclusion: The biological perspective is one approach used by psychologists to
understand, explain and predict behavior.