Our bodies and minds work together to create who we are. Chapter
6 describes how our biological processes are connected to our
behavioral and psychological processes.
Section 1 explores the nervous system and how it controls
emotions, movements, thinking, and behavior. The nervous system
is composed of two parts—the central nervous system and
the peripheral nervous system. Messages to and from the brain
travel along the nerves, which are strings of long, thin cells
called neurons. Neurons have three basic parts: the cell body,
dendrites, and the axon. This section details neuron connections
and the different types of neurons. Some parts of the peripheral
nervous system control voluntary activities (somatic nervous
system) and some parts control involuntary activities (autonomic
nervous system).
Section 2 identifies the different parts of the brain
that work together to coordinate movement and stimulate behavior.
The brain has three parts: the hindbrain, the midbrain, and
the forebrain. The cortex is divided into the right hemisphere,
which controls movements of the left side of the body, and
the left hemisphere, which controls movements of the right
side of the body. Psychobiologists use recording, stimulation,
lesions, and imaging to study the brain.
Section 3 explores functions of the endocrine system
and its role in growth and behavior. The endocrine system
sends chemical messages, called hormones, to specific organs.
This section identifies the glands of the endocrine system,
the hormones they produce, and the organs that they influence.
Section 4 examines how heredity and environment affect
the body and behavior. Heredity is the transmission of characteristics
from parents to child through genes, while environment is
the world around us. The chapter concludes with a discussion
of studies of inherited traits in twins.
