Psychology 101 Chapter 2 Study Guide
Chapter 2
The Brain and Behavior
Chapter Preview
• This chapter will cover the following domains:
• The nervous system • Neurons • Structures of the brain and their functions • Brain damage, plasticity, and repair • Genetics and behavior
• As with chapter 1, this presentation will serve as a study guide, highlighting the most important concepts which you should study for your midterm by reading your textbook in depth
Nervous System: Characteristics
• The nervous system is a massive electrochemical communications system. This system is notable for its:
• Complexity – there are billions of neurons and trillions of connections between them • Integration – the different systems of the brain work together seamlessly • Adaptability – the brain can adapt to certain amounts of damage in certain areas. How well it handles this depends on many factors, from the system affected to the age of the person (children are more adaptive than adults). The concept of plasticity reflects the brain’s ability to rewire or re-route around damage.
Nervous System: Characteristics
• This chapter has a lot of terminology – names for parts and systems of the nervous systems of the brain. This study guide will not repeat all of these definitions. However, any such terms listed in this study guide may be on your exam, and so you should be sure to focus on those listed here are you study.
Nervous System: Pathways
• Afferent Nerves
• Also called sensory nerves, they carry information about the environment to brain and spinal cord
• Efferent Nerves
• Also called motor nerves, they carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body
• Neural Networks
• Networks of cells that integrate sensory input and motor output
Nervous System: Primary Divisions
• Central Nervous System (CNS)
• Brain and spinal Cord
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• Network of nerves connecting CNS to body • Two subdivisions:
• Somatic nervous system • Autonomic nervous system
The Brain and Behavior
Chapter Preview
• This chapter will cover the following domains:
• The nervous system • Neurons • Structures of the brain and their functions • Brain damage, plasticity, and repair • Genetics and behavior
• As with chapter 1, this presentation will serve as a study guide, highlighting the most important concepts which you should study for your midterm by reading your textbook in depth
Nervous System: Characteristics
• The nervous system is a massive electrochemical communications system. This system is notable for its:
• Complexity – there are billions of neurons and trillions of connections between them • Integration – the different systems of the brain work together seamlessly • Adaptability – the brain can adapt to certain amounts of damage in certain areas. How well it handles this depends on many factors, from the system affected to the age of the person (children are more adaptive than adults). The concept of plasticity reflects the brain’s ability to rewire or re-route around damage.
Nervous System: Characteristics
• This chapter has a lot of terminology – names for parts and systems of the nervous systems of the brain. This study guide will not repeat all of these definitions. However, any such terms listed in this study guide may be on your exam, and so you should be sure to focus on those listed here are you study.
Nervous System: Pathways
• Afferent Nerves
• Also called sensory nerves, they carry information about the environment to brain and spinal cord
• Efferent Nerves
• Also called motor nerves, they carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body
• Neural Networks
• Networks of cells that integrate sensory input and motor output
Nervous System: Primary Divisions
• Central Nervous System (CNS)
• Brain and spinal Cord
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• Network of nerves connecting CNS to body • Two subdivisions:
• Somatic nervous system • Autonomic nervous system