Physiology and Anatomycourse

Prof. László DétáriDept. of Physiology and Neurobiology

Pázmány P. sétány 1/C, 6-419381-2181

detarineu@ludens.elte.hudetari.web.elte.hu

• about the course– physiology and anatomy (not too much, as time is short)– lecture (3 h weekly) and practice (10 x 3 h)

• importance of the course– psychology deals with higher nervous activities (thinking,

memory, emotions, etc.), however all these are the product of the brain

– you have to understand how molecules, neurons, neuronal circuits interact to produce behavior, sensations, intentions, etc.

– despite the enormous development of science, it is still fashionable to talk about supernatural abilities, like to bend spoons with „bioenergy”, to see other peoples „aura”, to transmit thoughts to other people, to defy gravitation, etc.

– with a strong scientific background it is easier to refuse these claims or even to plan experiments to test and reject them

• interactions between mind and body– there are strong, bidirectional interactions between mind and

body– if you want to heal, if you strongly believe that a pink pill will cure

you then, depending of course on the disease too, you might have a better chance

– on the negative side, many psychosomatic diseases are known, or to say a simpler example, if you are nervous (before an exam), you can have several bodily symptoms

– the interaction works in the other direction as well: e.g. if you have eaten too much food, your academic performance will deteriorate

• chemical foundations• cellular physiology

– membranes– potentials– communication– muscle physiology

• tissues• nervous system

• blood + circulation• respiration• kidney• digestion

• hormonal regulation• reproductive

functions• sensation• movement• hypothalamus• (higher nervous

activity)

internal environmentClaude Bernard 1872

homeostasisWalter Cannon 1929