1. Neuron Structure

2. Synapse

3. The Synapse 1.Synthesis of neurotransmitter (NT) 2.Storage and transport of NT within vesicles 3.NT Release 4.Activation of postsynaptic receptors 5.Termination of transmitter effect (e.g. reuptake)

4. Resting Potential Sodium ions are concentrated on the outside of the axon membrane. Potassium ions are concentrated on the inside of the axon membrane. Ion channels are closed. The inside of the axon membrane is more negative that is the outside.

5. Action Potential Action potential occurs when the membrane potential rapidly shifts from -70 to +40 mV –Ion channels open in the membrane, allowing sodium ions to enter the axon –Sodium entry shifts the membrane potential toward a positive value –Potential is restored when other channels open, allowing potassium ions to exit the axon

7. Myelin Myelin is a fatty, waxy substance coating the axon of some neurons. Functions: –Speeds neurotransmission –Insulates neurons from each other –Makes neurotransmission more efficient

8. Neurotransmitters Serotonin Acetylcholine Dopamine Norepinephrine Epinephrine GABA Endorphins

9. Midline Brain View

10. Brainstem Brainstem is a primitive portion of brain –Pons: involved in respiration, sleep regulation, dreaming –Medulla: involved in life support functions such as respiration and heart rate –Reticular activating system is an arousal system within the brainstem

11. Subcortical Brain Areas Corpus callosum: band of axons that interconnects the hemispheres Thalamus: sensory relay area Limbic system: involved in emotionality Hypothalamus: feeding, fleeing, mating, fighting, homeostasis Cerebellum: involved in motor control

12. Limbic System: Seat of Motivation, Emotions

13. Cerebral Cortex Cortex refers to the outer covering of the brain –Consists of left and right hemispheres –Cortex is divided into lobes Frontal: Self-awareness, planning, voluntary movement, emotional control, speech, working memory Parietal: Body sensations Occipital: Vision Temporal: Hearing, language comprehension –Localization of function: do discrete circuits carry out different functions?

14. Cortical Lobes

15. Cerebral Cortex

16. Motor and Somatosensory Cortex

17. Language areas: Broca & Wernicke

18. Primary Visual Pathways

19. Dorsal and Ventral Visual Pathways

20. Split brain: Hemispherical Specialization

21. Brain imaging technologies Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Makes use of radioactive tracer to measure cerebral blood flow.

22. Brain imaging technologies Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Uses electromagnets to measure oxygen levels in brain.

23. Brain imaging technologies Electroencephalogram (EEG): event-related potentials (momentary shifts in electrical activity of brain associated with external signals) Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Produces ‘virtual’ lesions