Basis of Behaviour by Alex

Basis of Behaviour by Alex

1. Neuron structures & functions

   • Dendrites receive messages, Axons send messages, Myelin sheaths speed messages up, terminal buttons release neurotransmitters
   • resting potential , when a neutron is inactive
   • Action Potential, a brief shift in electrical charge
     • All or None Law, Neuron fires or doesn't no in between
   • Synapse
     • presynaptic neuron sends signal, postsynaptic neuron recieves signal
     • neurotransmitters tiny chemicals transfer info
       • Acetylcholine, attention voluntary muscles, arousal & memory
       • Antagonist: blocks neurotransmitter, Agonist: acts like neurotransmitter
       • Dopamine, voluntary muscle movement
       • Serotonin, associated with sleep & eating
       • Norepinephrine , mood & arousal
       • GABA (inhibitory) and Glutamate (excitatory), help regulate anxiety
       • Endorphins, like opiates are for pain relief & pleasure

2. Nerve Systems

   • Central nervous system
     • Brain & spinal cord, send & receive messages
   • peripheral nervous system, includes nerves that branch or spinal cord
   • Somatic nervous System, includes nerves around skeletal muscles to sensory receptors
     • afferent nerve fibres carry messages inward while efferent ones carry messages outward
   • autonomic nervous system , associated with fight or flight
   • Parasympathetic nervous system, rest & digest

3. Brain tests & research methods

   • electroencephalo-graph (EEG), monitors electrical activity with electrodes
     • Also important for researching sleep
   • Lesioning , refers to destroying a piece of the brain
   • Electrical Stimulation of the Brain, sends electrical signals to stimulate the brain used in surgery
   • . Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, enhance or depress brain activity creating virtual lesions
   • Brain-Imaging
     • CT scan (computerized tomography, uses x-rays to study structures of the brain
     • PET scan (positron emission tomography) , used to map brain activity with radioactive chemicals
     • MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging), make a 3 demential picture using radio waves
     • fMRI (functional MRI), better MRI includes blood & oxygen flow

4. Hindbrain

   • medulla, auto responses like breathing & reflects
   • cerebellum, coordination , movement
   • Pons, sleep & arousal
   • mid brain
     • sensory processes & dopamine pathways
     • forebrain, limbic system
       • thalamus , sensory
       • hippocampus, memory
       • amygdala, fear responses
       • hypothalamus , pleasure centre
   • Cerebrum, for cognitive thinking , remembering & learning

5. Endocrine system

   • controlled by the nervous system via pituitary gland to release hormones for long lasting effects

6. Genetics

   • Behavioural genetics , based on behaviours of organisms not traits
   • Genes contain DNA to pass traits
     • there are dominate & recessive genes (dominate always win)
   • Genotype , persons genetic makeup
   • Molecular scientists do genetic mapping to see where specific genes are

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