Analysis of Articles about Psychological Biological Bases of Behavioral Replies to Classmates - Essay Example

?kim_quest_2.doc The article thoroughly discusses the wonders of the human body in terms of how the brain communicates with the rest of the body to maintain life functions. It is presented that although there is a blood-brain barrier to regulate what enters the domains of the sensitive brain, there are also other areas which are barrier-free. The complexity of how the central nervous system communicates with the rest of the body is also detailed in the paper, as well as the work of the peripheral nervous system, with a portion emphasizing the autonomic nervous system. In the recent years, the autonomic nervous system is “gaining more and more recognition” as it affects several functions despite its being “hidden” (Smith, 2001, p. 41). Generally, the paper presents details in precise manners, carefully satisfying what is asked of the author. Reference Smith, F. P. (2001). Neurology and neurosurgery: Basic principles. Suffolk, UK: University of Rochester Press. sara9.doc Both the pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems have delineated functions in movement. In her paper, Holland accomplishes the tasks of describing the structures and known functions of both systems. The parts of the pyramidal systems are presented together with their anatomy and physiology, including the importance of decussation. Paralysis as a result of injury to either upper or lower motor neurons and their corresponding affected sides are mentioned, but specific conditions to exemplify them are not given. The different extrapyramidal tracts are also elaborated with their specific functions. The paper concludes by briefly passing through the discussed points, but an idea probably overlooked is that a dichotomy between the pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems do not really exist, where both of these descending tract systems are interconnected with the basal ganglia anatomically and functionally (Noback et al., 2005, p. 419). Reference Noback, C. R., Strominger, N. L., Demarest, R. J., & Ruggiero, D. A. (Eds.). (2005). Nervous system: Structure and function (6th ed.). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press maggie4.doc Tygart’s article on the significance of the concentration of potassium ions in the neuron relative to the concentration of sodium ions in the extracellular fluid and the contrast between the inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic potentials is clearly and comprehensively stated. Beginning with a background on the fundamentals of a neuron and how it works, she enables readers not to “get lost” in her article. The importance of the sodium-potassium pump and its balance is emphasized to play key roles in life functions, and the effects of imbalances are also presented. Through this carefully-written paper, the author implies to readers that indeed the said system is important in the human body. To take as an example, the case of using potassium chloride in lethal injection is evidence that induced unregulated amounts of potassium can cause death (Bear, Connors, & Paradiso, 2007, p. 72). Reference Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. A. (2007). Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lipponcott Williams & Wilkins. overlie.doc The human brain is likened to a high-rise executive office complex, and the tour given in the article is detailed in its structures and form. By emphasizing on the different divisions and then elaborating on it systematically, the investor may be more compelled to buy the investment. The article presents how the human brain is capable of performing numerous and complex tasks, and how it controls our life functions. It is also noticed that despite the wonders of the brain, malfunction may occur as a result of damage in a certain part, and exemplified in the paper is Huntington’s chorea. Moritz (2005) illustrates the brain’s capability to do numerous tasks in one setting in the case of an artist working his art, minding his music, the audience, and various functions and responses that would affect his performance (pp. 39-40). Indeed, “amazing” cannot even describe the complexity of the human brain. Reference Moritz, A. (2005). It’s time to come alive. Landrum, SC: Ener-Chi Wellness Center. keith_1.doc Although McGoldrick’s article on the human brain includes the physiology of different structures, it is more inclined to the anatomical aspects of the organ. Nevertheless, it emphasizes on the complexity of the human brain in performing various activities vital to living. The divisions of the human brain know their parts and roles to play to keep the individual in maximum functioning state. A bigger portion of the paper is dedicated to the forebrain as the largest area of the brain. Its development is given importance by some authors, pointing to it as the “seat of perceptions, conscious awareness, cognition, and voluntary action,” and arguing that its most important structure is the cerebral cortex, (Bear, Connors, & Paradiso, 2007, p. 185) with roles, memory, language, et cetera. The author concludes that the human brain’s beauty could not be captured in written forms, and present scientific developments would continue to expose this beauty. Reference Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. A. (2007). Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lipponcott Williams & Wilkins. overlie7.doc In our daily experiences, we encounter a lot of tactile sensations that vary according to how our brain perceives them. For instance, a lover’s caress is differentiated from an enemy’s slap, and freshly brewed coffee does not feel like frozen ice cream. The process of how tactile sensations are determined by both skin and joint receptors, pain transmission, and localization of a specific tactile sensation on a certain body part are thoroughly elaborated in the article, allowing readers to appreciate the work of the somatosensory system. One amazing process our body does is the interpretation of pain and how it is stored in our memory to avoid that pain from recurring. Although the experience and severity of pain differ among individuals, distinction whether a certain form of pain is tolerable or not depends both on the nature of the stimulation and its cause, as well as on the person’s personality (Moller, year, p. 242). Reference Moller, A. R. (2003). Sensory systems: Anatomy and physiology. San Diego, CA: Elsevier. Read More