Neuroscience and Behavior
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The Biology of the Mind
How do they transmit information?
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What are neurons?
Nerve cells◦Basic building
blocks of the body’s information processing system.
Made up of ◦Dendrites◦Axons
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Neurons
Receive information
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Dendrites
Transmit information to other ◦Neurons◦Muscles◦Glands
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Axon fibers
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Chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) bridge the gap
Rats in an enriched environment will increase their synapses.
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Synapse (Synaptic gap)
Enable communication between neurons
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Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters (similar to morphine)
Reduces pain◦E.g. Childbirth
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Endorphins
What do these parts do?
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What are the parts of your nervous system?
Central nervous system◦Brain and spinal column
Peripheral nervous system◦Links central nervous system
(spinal cord) to sense receptors, muscles and glands
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Nervous system
Brain and spinal column Severed spinal cord E.g. E.g. -Sally - knee jerk reaction
without sensation of a tap on the knee◦Bill - No genital sensations, but
has an erection when stimulated.
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Central Nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system (Arousing)◦Increases
heartbeat & blood pressure
Parasympathetic nervous system (Calming)
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Peripheral Nervous System
Simple reflex pathway◦Knee-jerk reaction
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Reflex
Brain evolutionBrain stemLimbic systemCerebral cortex
Brain stem
Brainstem the oldest part of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull.
Responsible for automatic survival functions.
Brain Stem
Medulla [muh-DUL-uh] base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat and
breathing.Reticular Formation a nerve network in the
brainstem that plays an important role in
controlling arousal.
Limbic system Between the brain
stem and the Cerebral cortex
Includes: Hippocampus
◦ Memory Amygdala
◦ Emotion Aggression & Fear
Hypothalamus◦ Hunger, thirst,
temperature, & sex
Amygdala
Amygdala [ah-MIG-dah-la] two almond-shaped
neural clusters linked to emotion of fear and
anger.
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus lies below (hypo) the thalamus;
directs several maintenance activities
like eating, drinking body temperature, and
emotions. Helps govern the endocrine system via
the pituitary gland.
Internal brain Overview
Cerebellum Coordinates movements
Cerebral cortex
Cerebral cortex Left = Logical (Math) Right = Creative (Music)
Sensory & Motor cortex
Visual & auditory cortex
Reading out loud
Hearing, Seeing,Speaking
Cerebral cortex comparison Best distinguishes us from other
animals
Association areas of cortex
Corpus Callosum Transmits information from one
cerebral hemisphere to the other
Brain Plasticity Brain adjusts after damage
◦Blind learning to read brail
Phineas gage
Damage to frontal lobe
Creating images of the brain’s activity
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Recording the brain’s activity
Electroencephalogram (EEG) Brain waves - Recording electrical
activity
◦ CT scan◦ MRI scan◦ PET scan
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Brain imaging techniques (creating images)
Computed tomography
X-ray photographs
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CT Scan
Magnetic fields and radio waves create images of the brain’s soft tissues.
Normal Schizophrenic
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MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
fMRI Scan (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Positron emission tomography scan
Radioactive glucose
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PET Scan