Biology and Perception

Homework: Biology and Perception

1. Behavior: This morning I woke up around eight thirty. After fighting my alarm clock, I got up and used the restroom (2 secs), then jumped into the shower for a quick rinse down (15 mins). Upon getting out and threw my hair up in a towel and went over to my closet to find something to wear and put them on (15 mins).

2. Nervous system: Upon waking up, it took a great deal of energy. I used both of my peripheral nervous system (PNS), and my central nervous systems. Using my central nervous system (which is the main part that consists of the brain and spine), it gave me the ability to process information telling me that my alarm clock was going off, and to wake up. It then transferred to the peripheral nervous system, which allows me to hear the alarm clock better, and then open my eyes to find it. This system also gives feeling to my taste, smell, and touch sensations. The PNS is divided in 2 sections: somatic and the autonomic. My somatic system helps regulate my sensory organs that connect to my central nervous system allowing my muscle movements. My autonomic system helps with my bodily processes. Which include digestion, heart rate, and respiration. Comparing this to my morning movements, my somatic system helped me get up and move around, while my autonomic system helped me breathe in the morning air, and come out of my sleepiness.

3. Brain structures: There are three main brain structures in our body. The first being the Hindbrain which controls wakefulness and sleep, balance and coordination, and basic body processes. Therefore, when I woke up this morning my hindbrain was not only helping me sleep the night before but also making sure I was able to wake up. One particular part of this process was the medulla. This section helps regulate my breathing patterns (sneezing, coughing, and swallowing) and heart rate. They operate automatically so that I do not have to think about it. Upon opening my eyes, my cerebellum kicked in [also apart of the hindbrain] which helped with my hand/eye or arm/leg coordination. My brain then moved on to my midbrain section, which controls my alertness and arousal. I would think this would be the first part of my brain that was accessed, because it is what keeps my sleep from being interrupted by non-important things. For example, a fan or a radio. However, it allows me to hear the important things such as a fire alarm or a baby crying. A good personal example would be last night I was sleeping with my radio on, but because of my midbrain section, I was able to fall asleep and stay asleep. In the morning however, my step mom set off the alarm when she left for work, which caused me to wake up in a panicked state. My brain then moved on to the last section, which would be the Forebrain. The forebrain helps my functions of thinking, talking, memory, and emotions. When I woke up this morning I was hungry, cold (heater was off), a little angry because I could not sleep in and definitely stressed because I am still sick. All of those thoughts, feelings, and hormones were caused by my forebrain. My three brain structures are definitely a major contribution in how I wake up and will react and feel for the rest of my day.

4. Endocrine System: My endocrine system is a huge part of my day. Especially in the morning. When I woke up my system was already in motion. The first endocrine gland that was at work was my pineal gland, which helps regulates my sleep-wake cycles was in motion all night and as I was wakening up. My second gland in motion this morning was my pituitary gland, which helps regulate my stress levels when waking up and through out the rest of the day. The stress hormones come from epinephrine and norepinephrine, which is naturally made in my body. These two processes are released by my adrenal medulla [brain function] and help with my heart rate and respiratory rate. Lastly, my third endocrine gland would be my ovaries. These special glands help regulate my menstrual cycle. It also helps maintain my uterus so I am able to get pregnant later on in life [way later!].

5. Neurotransmitters: I have