CHAPTER THREE
WHAT ARE THE BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES
OF THE BRAIN?
WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?
→ the consists of cellular circuits that allow electrical and chemical communication,
where the brain is the central component
neuroscience: the study of the communication of the nerve cells
neurons communicate via 1000s of nerve cells in information processing
networks
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM?
→ our brain guides our interaction with the world to relay the input from our 5 senses
into the changing environment around us
→ this is translated in 4 characteristics of the nervous system
1. COMPLEXITY
2. INTEGRATION
3. ADAPTABILITY
4. ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSMISSION
WHAT DOES COMPLEXITY MEAN?
Our nervous system is incredibly complex
→ this characteristic refers to the large amount of nerve cells that are involved in
everything that we do
CHAPTER THREE 1
, Neurons: cells in the body that receive and communicate information throughout
our nervous system
Glial cells: the nonneuronal cells that support neuron functions
→ provide neurons with nutrients, protection, and repair neurons
→ glia also increase the speed and efficiency of the neuron (speed of information
passing through)
WHAT IS INTEGRATION?
Our brain draws experiences together into a coherent whole using all the different types
of input it receives
→ this characteristic refers to the coordinated function between the regions of the brain
and the body
brain the body are linked through extensive pathways and the interconnections
of our neurons
all 5 senses give the brain sensory input to integrate
the brain is also engaged in multiple involuntary behaviours that keep you
alive (ie: beating of the heart)
WHAT IS ADAPTABILITY?
The brain’s ability to adapt and change or recognize changes to the body and the
environment and protect us accordingly
→ occurs through changes in neurons
Example:
acquired savant syndrome: gaining new skills after a brain injury
→ Plasticity: is the brain’s special ability and capacity for change
ie: Jason Padgett - suffered a concussion and during his recovery his brain unlocked
new abilities, he discovered he had developed a new talent for creating artwork on
CHAPTER THREE 2
, arithmetic laws he was seeing everywhere
WHAT IS ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSMISSION?
How information is processed in the brain.
→ the information processing system in the brain occurs through electrical impulses and
chemical messengers
impulses travel through neurons electrically
neurons communicate via chemicals
WHAT ARE THE PATHWAYS IN THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM?
1. afferent nerves : sensory pathway - the nerves that carry information from sensory
receptors to the brain and spinal cord
a. communicate information about our external environment
2. efferent nerves : motor pathway - carries information out of the brain and the spinal
cord
a. communicates from the brain to the rest of the body
→ like input and output
WHAT ARE THE DIVISIONS OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM?
2 main divisions:
1. CNS - central nervous system
a. made up of the brain and spinal cord
2. PNS - peripheral nervous system
CHAPTER THREE 3
, a. network of nerves that connect the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the
body
b. PNS brings information to and from the CNS and the CNS executes various
muscular and glandular activities
→ further divides into:
1. Somatic nervous system:
made up of both motor and sensory nerves
sensory nerves convey information from the skin and muscles to the
CNS (notify pain, for example)
motor nerves tell the muscles what to do (in response)
2. Autonomic nervous system:
takes messages from the CNS and from internal organs to (for example,
doing things like breathing or digestion is involuntary)
→ further divides into:
1. Sympathetic nervous system:
triggers the brain to mobilize it for action
initiates fight or flight in the case of a potential threat (perceived by the
brain) → this occurs due to the release of powerful hormones (stress
hormones)
2. Parasympathetic nervous system:
calms the body down after a fight or flight response
resumes all normal systems of the body that may have been put on hold
during a stressful period
WHAT ARE NEURONS AND GLIAL CELLS?
→ neurons, glial cells, chemicals and electrical impulses work together to transmit
information around the nervous system
CHAPTER THREE 4
WHAT ARE THE BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES
OF THE BRAIN?
WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?
→ the consists of cellular circuits that allow electrical and chemical communication,
where the brain is the central component
neuroscience: the study of the communication of the nerve cells
neurons communicate via 1000s of nerve cells in information processing
networks
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM?
→ our brain guides our interaction with the world to relay the input from our 5 senses
into the changing environment around us
→ this is translated in 4 characteristics of the nervous system
1. COMPLEXITY
2. INTEGRATION
3. ADAPTABILITY
4. ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSMISSION
WHAT DOES COMPLEXITY MEAN?
Our nervous system is incredibly complex
→ this characteristic refers to the large amount of nerve cells that are involved in
everything that we do
CHAPTER THREE 1
, Neurons: cells in the body that receive and communicate information throughout
our nervous system
Glial cells: the nonneuronal cells that support neuron functions
→ provide neurons with nutrients, protection, and repair neurons
→ glia also increase the speed and efficiency of the neuron (speed of information
passing through)
WHAT IS INTEGRATION?
Our brain draws experiences together into a coherent whole using all the different types
of input it receives
→ this characteristic refers to the coordinated function between the regions of the brain
and the body
brain the body are linked through extensive pathways and the interconnections
of our neurons
all 5 senses give the brain sensory input to integrate
the brain is also engaged in multiple involuntary behaviours that keep you
alive (ie: beating of the heart)
WHAT IS ADAPTABILITY?
The brain’s ability to adapt and change or recognize changes to the body and the
environment and protect us accordingly
→ occurs through changes in neurons
Example:
acquired savant syndrome: gaining new skills after a brain injury
→ Plasticity: is the brain’s special ability and capacity for change
ie: Jason Padgett - suffered a concussion and during his recovery his brain unlocked
new abilities, he discovered he had developed a new talent for creating artwork on
CHAPTER THREE 2
, arithmetic laws he was seeing everywhere
WHAT IS ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSMISSION?
How information is processed in the brain.
→ the information processing system in the brain occurs through electrical impulses and
chemical messengers
impulses travel through neurons electrically
neurons communicate via chemicals
WHAT ARE THE PATHWAYS IN THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM?
1. afferent nerves : sensory pathway - the nerves that carry information from sensory
receptors to the brain and spinal cord
a. communicate information about our external environment
2. efferent nerves : motor pathway - carries information out of the brain and the spinal
cord
a. communicates from the brain to the rest of the body
→ like input and output
WHAT ARE THE DIVISIONS OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM?
2 main divisions:
1. CNS - central nervous system
a. made up of the brain and spinal cord
2. PNS - peripheral nervous system
CHAPTER THREE 3
, a. network of nerves that connect the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the
body
b. PNS brings information to and from the CNS and the CNS executes various
muscular and glandular activities
→ further divides into:
1. Somatic nervous system:
made up of both motor and sensory nerves
sensory nerves convey information from the skin and muscles to the
CNS (notify pain, for example)
motor nerves tell the muscles what to do (in response)
2. Autonomic nervous system:
takes messages from the CNS and from internal organs to (for example,
doing things like breathing or digestion is involuntary)
→ further divides into:
1. Sympathetic nervous system:
triggers the brain to mobilize it for action
initiates fight or flight in the case of a potential threat (perceived by the
brain) → this occurs due to the release of powerful hormones (stress
hormones)
2. Parasympathetic nervous system:
calms the body down after a fight or flight response
resumes all normal systems of the body that may have been put on hold
during a stressful period
WHAT ARE NEURONS AND GLIAL CELLS?
→ neurons, glial cells, chemicals and electrical impulses work together to transmit
information around the nervous system
CHAPTER THREE 4
