2. Components of the Nervous
System
Homeostasis
Humans must maintain their environment within certain limits
Temperature
Acidity
Water content
Sodium content
Glucose concentrations
Psychoactive drugs impact homeostasis
3. The Nervous Systems
Somatic nervous system (SNS)
Sensory information
Voluntary actions
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Sympathetic branch
Parasympathetic branch
Central nervous system (CNS)
Brain
Spinal cord
4. The Brain: Major Structures
Cerebral cortex**
Cerebellum
Limbic system**
Brain stem**
6. Limbic System
Emotional brain
Drives
Pleasure
Formation of memories
Nucleus Accumbens
Central part of limbic system
“Reward Pathway”
7. Brain Stem
Extension of spinal cord
Small but “mighty”
All information from body to
major parts of brain goes
through brain stem
8. Chemical Theories of Behavior
Variations in behavior
explained through changes
in brain chemistry
Historical and cultural perspectives
Monoamine theory of mood
Issue of experimental support
Brain imaging techniques
Types
Reactions