The Biological Bases of Behaviour: The Nervous System

The Biological Bases of Behaviour: The Nervous System

1. Communication in the Nervous System

   • Nervous tissue: the Basic Hardware
     • Parts of the neuron: Cell body, dendrites, axon, myeln sheath, terminal buttons, synapse
       • Gila- cells that provide support to the neurons
         • Most of the work is done by the neurons
   • The Neural impulse: using energy to send information
     • The Neuron at rest: resting potential of a neuron is stable, negatively charged when cell is NOT active
       • Action Potential- travels along the neuron
         • The neural impulse is an all or none proposition
   • The Synapse: Where Neurons Meet
     • Sending signals: chemicals as Couriers
       • Neurons do not touch-seperated by the cleft
         • Receiving Signals: Postsynaptic potentials
           • Integrating signals: Neural networks- one message can be passed on to thousands of other neurons
   • Neurotransmitters and behaviour
     • Acetylcholine- activates motor neurons controlling skeletal muscles
       • Dopamine- contributes to control of voluntary movement, pleasurable emotions
         • Norepinephrine- modulation of mood and arousal
           • serotonin- regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, agression
             • GABA- distributed inhibitory transmitter
               • Glutamate- implicated in learning and memory
                 • Endorphins- helps pain relief and pleasurable emotions

2. Organization of the Nervous system

   • The peripheral nervous system
     • The somatic nervous system: connect voluntary skeletal muscles and to sensory receptors
       • The Autonomic Nervous system: nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands
         • Sympathetic division- branch of autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body's resources for emergencies
           • Parasympathetic division- the branch of the autonomic nervous system that generally conserves bodily resources
   • The Central Nervous System
     • Cerebrospinal fluid- nourishes the brain ad provides a cushion for it
       • Spinal cord: connects the brain to the rest of the body
         • Brain: fills the upper portion of the skull . makes a person talk, think, plan, remember, create and dream