Topic Presentation
The human brain remains a critical organ that controls a wide range of processes in the body. The nervous system forms an effective network that supports transmitting messages from the brain to different parts. The interconnectivity between the brain and the nervous system supports internal and external communication. Most of the common movements and reactions associated with the human body are directly linked to the nervous system. The brain and the central nervous system describe the biological processes and developments that have psychological implications, such as human behavior, emotions, responses, learning, and personality.
Topic Definition and Explanation
The selected topic focuses on the functions of the brain and the nervous system. The human brain acts as a supercomputer that has the potential to monitor, control, and coordinate all functions taking place in the human body. This organ is connected to all other body parts by the spinal cord in the backbone.
The human brain is subdivided into three major sections that work synergistically to support normal functions (Baum et al., 2019). The first one is the forebrain, which contains the cerebrum that carries basic information about an individual. The second is the midbrain, which helps coordinate the impulses that leave or enter the brain. The third one is the hindbrain, which carries the medulla and cerebellum (Baum et al., 2019). This part is usually responsible for human coordination, movement, and balance.
The spinal cord carries threadlike nerves that link the human brain to all other body organs. The connection between the spinal cord and the human brain forms the central nervous system (Rothwell et al., 2021). This part of the body contains neurons that are usually socialized and capable of performing diverse tasks.
For example, sensory neurons usually transmit information from the brain to various parts, such as the tongue, eyes, and nose (Hong et al., 2022). Motor neurons are essential since they carry impulses to all other parts of the body. The electrochemical properties associated with these transmissions make learning, behavior, and thinking possible.
Reasons for Picking the Topic
The field of psychology guides scholars to learn more about human thoughts, behaviors, actions, and decisions. The selection of this topic is essential because it presents the best foundation for learning more about human actions. The central nervous system and the brain are essential body parts that guide all activities (Hong et al., 2022). For instance, a person will think, display emotions, recall past events, and respond accordingly to disasters or fearful situations. The brain and the nervous system coordinate to determine an individual’s personality.
By selecting this topic, people can learn more about brain development and some of the factors disorienting the process. Correctly understanding the topic could help people appreciate how nerve impulses emerge and are subsequently transmitted between different body parts and the brain (Rothwell et al., 2021). Emerging sensory inputs or events tend to influence emerging decisions. These attributes show that the brain and the nervous system are critical in protecting and supporting human life.
The most interesting aspect of this topic is that it creates the best opportunity for me to learn more about human psychology. Specifically, the acquired ideas can make it possible for people to understand how brain damage can disorient human behaviors and responses to external occurrences (Baum et al., 2019). The topic could identify some events or injuries that can damage the nervous system, affecting normal human functioning. In the field of psychology, learners can appreciate how changes in the nervous system and the brain have the potential to change a person’s life. All these reasons explain why the specific topic is worth examining.
Relevance of the Unit
The studied unit is relevant because it describes how the central nervous system is critical in determining a person’s health outcome. For instance, when I was a teen, something changed my understanding forever. Specifically, one of my childhood friends was involved in a fatal accident that left him paralyzed.
This topic will teach me more about brain injury and how it affects the central nervous system (Rothwell et al., 2021). The emerging insights will guide me in understanding what happened and how my friend could no longer complete most of his functions. I will apply the ideas from the topic to encourage others to protect themselves and maintain their best physical health.
Difference from Other Topics
Psychology remains a common field of study intended to learn more about the functions of the human mind and subsequent behaviors. The selected topic differs significantly from other studies in the field since it focuses on the nervous system, the brain, and emerging impulses. The topic takes a biological perspective rather than a psychological one. For example, the identified field describes the anatomy of the central nervous system. Additionally, it describes the movement of impulses to and from the brain (Baum et al., 2019).
By learning more about the physical functions of this organ, researchers can understand how neurons dictate human responses and behaviors. The topic further explains how injuries, damages, or diseases can trigger significant changes in human functions. On the other hand, research focusing on alcoholism, peer pressure, or anxiety and their influences on human behaviors will be psychological. These examples explain how the identified topic presents the best background information for studying human psychology.
Measurements in the Topic
The first measurable attribute in the selected topic is the electrical activity occurring in the human brain. Such an exercise allows scholars to get additional information about this vital organ (Nie et al., 2019). Specifically, analysts apply the technique to monitor the movement of neurons, thus being able to detect sleepiness, wakefulness, or even anxiety.
The common term for measuring brain activity is electroencephalography (EEG). The common tool investigators use to perform this test is the EEG machine. The second measurement approach scientists can utilize is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This method examines the recorded magnetic field in the targeted brain (Nie et al., 2019). The tool used for this kind of measurement is called the MRI machine.
The central nervous system is a significant body part influencing various human functions. The brain is essential since it allows other organs to receive impulses and respond accordingly. The significant parts of this organ complete their roles effectively, ensuring that all body parts can work in a coordinated manner. These biological attributes are essential since they shed more light on most subsequent psychological aspects, such as behavior, movement, and personality. These attributes explain why the topic was selected for further analysis.
References
Baum, G. L., Cui, Z., Roalf, D. R., & Satterthwaite, T. D. (2019). Development of structure–function coupling in human brain networks during youth. PNAS, 117(1), 771-778. Web.
Hong, Y., Zhang, L., Liu, N., Xu, X., Liu, D., & Tu, J. (2022). The central nervous mechanism of stress-promoting cancer progression. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(20), 12653-12669. Web.
Nie, J., Zhang, Z., Wang, B., Li, H., Xu, J., Wu, S., Zhu, C., Yang, X., Liu, B., Wu, Y., Tan, S., Wen, Z., Zheng, J., Shu, S., & Ma, L. (2019). Different memory patterns of digits: A functional MRI study. Journal of Biomedical Science, 26(1), 22-30. Web.
Rothwell, J., Antal, A., Burke, D., Carlsen, A., Georgiev, D., Jahanshahi, M., Sternad, D., Valls-Solé, J., & Ziemann, U. (2021). Central nervous system physiology. Clinical Neurophysiology, 132(12), 3043-3083. Web.