GENERAL

CHAPTER 4: THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOR

PSYCHOLOGY
hundreds, or even tens of thousands of times the diameter of the soma
in length. The axon carries nerve signals away from the nucleus.
THREE MECHANISM OF BEHAVIOR 4. Myelin Sheath: the main purpose of a myelin layer (or sheath)
is to increase the speed at which impulses propagate along the
myelinated fiber
1. THE RECEIVING MECHANISM 5. Axon Terminal / Synaptic Nerve Ending: contains synapses,
● Sense Organs are sensitive nerve endings located in certain specialized structures where neurotransmitter chemicals are released to
body parts. communicate with target neurons.
● Characteristics of Sense Organs: ● Types of Neurons according to basis function:
1. Sensitivity and Irritability: power to react to stimulus. 1. Sensory Neurons (Afferent Fibers): conduct impulses towards
2. Conductivity: power to conduct and transport nerve impulses. the brain / nervous system.
3. Specificity: attribute of reacting to a particular stimulus. 2. Association Neurons: connecting conduct impulses within the
4. Adaptability: power to become used to particular stimulus. nervous system.
● Types of Sense Organs according to location: 3. Motor Neurons (Efferent Fibers): conduct impulses away
1. Exteroceptors: found in the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin and from the brain/ nervous system.
are sensitive to external stimulus.
Division of Human Nervous System

I. Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic – flight or aggression response  release of

norepinephrine  increase in all bodily activity except GI
(constipation); adrenergic; parasympatholytic response.

REMEMBER: GIT is the least important area during stress 

decreased blood flow in the area; Increased blood flow in the brain,
heart and skeletal muscles

▪ Dry mouth
▪ Increase in HR and BP
▪ Tachypnea
▪ Constipation
2. Interoceptors: sense organs in the respiratory tract, digestive
and genitor-urinary tract.
3. Proprieoceptors: sense organs embedded in muscles, Parasympathetic – flight or withdrawal response  release of
tendons and joints. Acetylcholine  decrease in all bodily activity except GI (diarrhea);
chonlinergic/ vagal/ sympatholytic response
2. THE CONNECTING MECHANISM
▪ Increased salivation
● Neurons: is an electrically excitable cell that processes and
▪ Decreased HR and BP
transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. The basic ▪ Decresead RR
conducting unit of nervous system. ▪ Diarrhea
▪ Seizures

II. Central Nervous System (BRAIN)

● Basic Part of a Neuron

1. Nucleus: responsible for protein synthesis or manufacturing
chemical substances for neuron nourishment.
2. Dendrites: of a neuron are cellular extensions with many
branches, and metaphorically this overall shape and structure is referred
to as a dendritic tree. This is where the majority of input to the neuron
occurs.
3. Axon: is a finer, cable-like projection that can extend tens,
▪ CEREBRUM – divided into two hemispheres, the left and
right and is bridged by the corpus callosum
✓ Motor, sensory, integrative function
✓ Lobes:
Frontal – controls higher cortical thinking, personality
development, motor activity, contains BROCA’s are or the motor-

Prepared by: Mark Fredderick R. Abejo RN,MAN 1

GENERAL
CHAPTER 4: THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOR
PSYCHOLOGY
speech center. (Expressive Aphasia) II. Optic Vision
Occipital – vision
Parietal – appreciation and discrimination of sensory III. Oculomotor Eye
impulses (pain, touch, pressure, heat and cold) Movement
Temporal – hearing, short term memory, contains the general
interpretative area—Wernicke’s aphasia IV. Trochlear (smallest) (“down”) Eye
Insula (Island of Reil) – visceral function (internal area) Movement
Limbic System (Rhinencephalon) – sense of smell, libido or
sexual urge control, long term memory V. Trigeminal (largest) Chewing

VI. Abducens (“at the sides”) Eye

Movement

VII. Facial Facial

Expression

VIII. Acoustic (Vestibulocochlear) Hearing and

Balance

IX. Glossopharyngeal Taste

X. Vagus (longest) Gag Reflex

and control
the muscle of
the throat

XI. Accessory Shoulder

Movement
▪ MIDBRAIN – acts as a relay station for sight and hearing
particularly helps in size and reaction of pupils and hearing acuity XII. Hypoglossal Tongue
▪ DIENCEPHALON (Interbrain) Movement
✓ Thalamus – acts as a relay station for sensation
✓ Hypothalamus – controls temperature, BP, sleep and
wakefulness, thirst, appetite (satiety), some emotional responses like B. Spinal Nerves
fear, anxiety and excitement, controls pituitary functions
▪ BRAIN STEM
✓ Pons – controls rate, rhythm and depth of respiration
✓ Medulla Oblongata – lowest part; damage: most life
threatening; controls respiration, HR, swallowing, vomiting, hiccups,
vasomotor center
▪ CEREBELLUM – smallest part; “lesser brain”; balance,
equilibrium, gait and posture.

III. Peripheral Nervous System

A. Cranial Nerves

31 Spinal Nerves
▪ Cervical – 8 pairs
▪ Thoracic – 12 pairs
▪ Lumbar – 5 pairs
▪ Sacral – 5 pairs
▪ Coccygeal – 1 pair
12 CRANIAL NERVE

I. Olfactory Smell
3. THE REACTING MECHANISM (Muscles and Endocrine

Prepared by: Mark Fredderick R. Abejo RN,MAN 2

GENERAL
CHAPTER 4: THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOR
PSYCHOLOGY
Glands) ● Luteinizing H. Milk Production
● Prolactin
A. Muscles
Posterion Pituitary Stimulates contraction
● The Kinds of Muscles ● Oxytocin Regulates volume of urine
1. Voluntary Muscles : stripes, skeletal ● Antidiuretic H.
2. Involuntary Muscles: visceral, smooth
Thyroid ● Thyroxin Regulates metabolism
3. Cardiac muscles ● Calcitonin Regulates calcium by bone
re-absorption
Parathyroid ● Parathormone Regulates calcium by bone
demineralization.
Thymus ● Thymosin Stimulates the
development of T
lymphocytes.
Adrenal Adrenal Cortex
● Mineralocorticoids Regulates mineral
(Aldosterone / Renin) composition of body fluids
● Characteristics of Muscles ● Glucocorticoids Promotes conversion of
1. Contractility: power to shorten (Cortisol/Cortisone) protein into sugar.
2. Tonicity: power to be in partial contraction ● Sex Hormones Promotes development of
( Estrogen / Androgen) secondary sex
3. Extensibility: power of muscle to stretch
characteristics
4. Elasticity: power to resume to its original shape
Adrenal Medulla
● Adrenaline / Stimulates heartbeat,
● Functions of Muscles Epinephrine inhibits GIT activity,
1. To lend shape to the body. increase blood flow.
2. To propel food and waste product along the intestinal tract. Acts to constrict blood
3. For movement ● Noradrenalin / vessel throughout the
4. To control blood flow Norepinephrine body.
5. To covert mechanical energy into chemical work
Pancreas Alpha Cell
6. To generate heat
● Glucagon Raise the blood sugar level
Beta Cell
B. Endocrine Glands ● Insulin Lowers the blood sugar
level
Delta Cell
● Somatostatin Inhibits growth hormone

Gonads Male Testicle Influences the

● Testosterone development of secondary
sexual characteristics
Sperm production

Female Ovaries Influences the

● Estrogen development of secondary
sexual characteristics
● Progesterone Maintenance of
pregnancy.

Glands Hormones Functions

Pituitary Anterior Pituitary
● Growth Hormones
● Thyroid Stimulating
H.
● Adrecocorticotropic
H.
● Follicle Stimulating
H.
Stimulates growth
Stimulates thyroid gland
Stimulates adrenal gland
Ripening of follicles
(female)
Sperm production (male)
Stimulates ovulation

Prepared by: Mark Fredderick R. Abejo RN,MAN 3

GENERAL
CHAPTER 4: THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOR
PSYCHOLOGY

REFERENCES:

1. Kahayon and Aquino, General Psychology 4th edition

2. Gaerlan, Limpingco and Tria, General Psychology 5th edition
3. Plotnik, Introduction to Psychology 3rd edition

Prepared by: Mark Fredderick R. Abejo RN,MAN 4