Neuroscience and Behavior Chapter 2

Information systems of humans and animals remarkably similar

The Nervous System

The Neuron Intercellular communication occurs due to

The Neuron Parts of the neuron : The The Synapse

Neural Communication To bridge the synapse, neurons use Common are (Ach), Dopamine, (5ht) Action potential causes these chemical messengers to be released from the terminal and into the

Neural Communication : The Signal Neurons communicate by passing an electrical signal down The signal then passes into the and through the cell body (soma)

Neural Communication : The Signal What is the signal? Depending on the fiber, this signal can go as slow as This signal can either be inhibitory or

Neural Communication : The Signal If the signal is then it causes the threshold of the target cell to decrease If the signal is then it causes the threshold of the target cell to increase

Neural Communication If the signal is strong enough, then it is passed down that neuron’s If the signal is not strong enough, then the process stops until the next signal is passed

Neural Communication Neurotransmitters cause the to open small pores on its surface Once the neurotransmitter has opened the pore, it is reabsorbed into the

Neural Communication To add complexity to this issue… There are 2 major types of neurons in the body

Influence of Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters have dedicated neural pathways in the brain

See table 2.1 in the text.

Neurotransmitter Influence Each pathway that a travels has a different effect on

Endorphins Endo ( ) (m)orphine Natural opiates released in response to Also known as Natural opiates released in response to

Neurotransmitter Influence Other drugs/chemicals affect brain chemistry at synapses by a neuron’s firing

Nervous System Two Major Divisions of the nervous system Central Nervous System (CNS)

Nervous System Central Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System Processing of information from this system occurs in two distinct areas

The Somatic System Voluntary movement

The Autonomic Nervous System Two Subsystems

The Autonomic Nervous System Sympathetic

The Peripheral Nervous System Parasympathetic

Central Nervous System The Brain Spinal cord

Central Nervous System : The Spinal Cord In order to feel , information must reach the brain One motor neuron, one sensory neuron Often connected Why is it important that the interneuron network exist?

The Endocrine System

The Endocrine System Another way of passing information from one part of the body to the next This one uses

The Endocrine System Why have these chemical messengers? What do hormones influence? Hormones affect interest in sex, food, aggressive behavior (FFF)

The Endocrine System : Main Parts Adrenal Glands These hormones affect the response

The Endocrine System Pituitary Gland Works in a feedback loop

The Brain

The Brain Parts of the Brain

The Brain – Older Structures These structures are found from monkeys down to snakes Oldest parts of the brain Some scientists believe these structures have similar structures in dinosaur brains

The Brain – Older Structures -

The Brain – Older Structures Reticular Formation Thalamus RF – involved in arousal, damage causes irreversible coma, filters information coming out of the spinal cord and into the thalamus Thalamus – receives information from all senses except smell

The Brain – Older Structures Enables non-verbal learning Helps judge time, , discriminate sounds/textures