Animations about vision - the retina and visual pathways

Fantastic animations about the eye, visual processing in the retina and the pathways that visual information travels in the brain.

Pay close attention to the "center-surround" aspects of retinal processing it this first video.

This animation shows how the photoreceptors, bipolar and ganglion cells of the retina are organized in "center-surround" arrangements that allow "bottom up" processing of visual information to begin in the retina. 

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/receptivefields.html



If a picture is worth a thousand words, an animation is worth way more. This animation really shows the visual pathway very well. Pay attention to how visual information is split in the Optic Chiasm and how it routs through the LGN of the thalamus as well as other areas specifically related to eye movement and the "biological clock" which controls circadian rhythms.

This excellent animation really explains how the visual information from the left and right visual fields makes its way to the right and left occipital lobes via the LGN of the thalamus. 

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/visualpathways.html

Sensation - How the ear works.

Sensation... The Ear Pages on NobelPrize.org and a nice animation

The organization that gives out the Nobel Prize has a great website about the ear and how it works.

If you're having trouble understanding the accessory structures and the cochlea this site is for you.

Here is a link to another animation about how the ear works

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/soundtransduction.html

Great Animations for the Biological Basis of Psychology

This animation company produces some animations with very advanced content concerning the neurobiology you are learning in Unit 3 - Biological Basis of Behavior and will be learning in Unit 4 - Sensation. While some of the videos go into more detail than is typical in an AP psych class, I think they're worth watching to deepen your understanding and push yourself to a more advanced college level.

For Unit 3, I suggest "The Action Potential", "Synaptic Transmission", "Reflex Arcs" and "Positron Emission Tomography"

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/neurobiology.html

OOPS! Revision to Unit 3 Assignment!

"Thank You" to Daisy for letting me know about a cutting and pasting error I made on the Unit 3 Assignment Sheet. I accidentally mixed up some Unit 3 with some Unit 4 work. Please don't do any Unit 4 work until Unit 4.

The correct assignment is:

Bernstein Study Guide Chapter 3 – Starts on P. 57

1.     Review the chapter based on your reading instructions. 

2.     Key Term Flashcards: All 63 Key Terms

3.     Don’t freak out. I know it’s a lot of flashcards. It will be worth memorizing and understanding the key terms. You will need to review the flashcards before quizzes and exams in class and as you study for the AP exam.

4.     Write out the Fill In The Blank Key Terms Writing out the full sentences will help you to learn the material. After you try to answer all of them check your work. If you get one wrong, write the correct answer with a brief explanation of why it’s correct.

5.     Select one of the “Personal Learning Activities” on P. 72. Do the activity and write a paragraph about what was most interesting or surprising about your experience. 

6.     Do Multiple Choice Sample Quiz 1 (p.73) and then check your answers with the key from page 80. Mark your total correct and be sure to review all questions you didn’t get right.