Explanations of Behavior at The Level

of The Neutron & Nervous System

Chapter Learning Objectives
Understand different explanation in
science about the functions of brain
in human behavior.
Identify the function of cell of the
nervous system
Discuss about the potential action in
brain due to neuron reactions and
communication.
 Biological Foundations of
Behavior
The Behavioral Neuroscience
Approach in Psychology advocates
that behavior can best be explained
by studying about its biological
counterpart. According to this
perspective, behavior is simply an
expression of what goes on inside
the body. Consequently, behavior can
also be altered by modifying a
person's physical make-up through
What Are Neurons and How Do They
Communicate?
There are two kinds of cells in the
nervous system - neurons and glial
cells. Neurons are nerve cells that
handle the information-processing
function of the nervous system, while
Glial Cells support neurons by
providing them with the nutritional
benefit that they need. Without glial
cells, neuronal activity diminishes
and neurons can die.
 There are about 100 billion neurons
in the brain (although neurons can
also be found throughout the entire
body); and each neuron connects to
approximately 10,000 other neurons.
The speed of communication
between neurons is quite fast -
There are three (3) basic parts of a neuron - the cell body, the dendrites and the axon.
The cell body houses the nucleus, which manufactures the substance needed by the
neuron to maintain itself. The cell body also processes the information received from
neighboring neurons.
The dendrites act like TV antennae. They receive information coming from the
neighboring neurons.
The axon, conveys the information processed by the cell body to other neurons. At the
end of an axon are branches that end with terminal buttons. These terminal buttons
houses the synaptic vesicles or sacs that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
The neurotransmitters, are the chemicals released by a neuron to communicate with
neighboring neurons. A neuron typically contains only one type of neurotransmitter. The
axon is encased and insulated by a kind of fat called the myelin sheath for faster
electrical travel (just like how electrical wires are covered with plastic). It is widely
believed that encasing the axon with fat reflects the evolution of the brain for faster
information-processing. However, the myelin sheath may harden (a disease called
multiple sclerosis), hampering the electrochemical activity of the neuron.
 The Neuron Network
Information comes into the neuron
through the Dendrites from other
neurons. It then continues to the
Cell Body (soma) which is the
main part of the neuron, which
contains the nucleus and
maintains the life sustaining
functions of the neuron. The soma
processes information and then
passes it along the Axon. At the
end of the axon are bulb-like
structures called Terminal Buttons
that pass the information on to
glands, muscles, or other neurons.
 The role of neurotransmitters in
behavior
Neurotransmitters have a relation
on psychology and human behavior.
Neurotransmitters play a role in the
way we behave, learn, the way we
feel, sleep & some play a role in
mental illnesses.
 The neurotransmitters functions

Since neurons aren't physically connected to one another,

they have to releases these neurotransmitters and then
have them received by receptors on another neuron.
In order for any behavior to actually present itself in a
physical form, a series of messages must be sent from the
brain to another part of the body along these neurons
through the use of neurotransmitters.
Since these neurotransmitters are just freely floating in the
body, its easy for them to be modified by external forces.
Example: your body wanted to dilute some pain, it could
release chemicals that would stop neurotransmitters that
would otherwise tell your brain that you're in pain.
 Neurotransmitters which play a
significant role in our mental health
Acetylcholine involved in voluntary movement, learning, memory, and sleep
Too much acetylcholine is associated with depression, and too little in the
hippocampus has been associated with dementia.
Dopamine correlated with movement, attention, and learning
Too much dopamine has been associated with schizophrenia, and too little is
associated with some forms of depression as well as the muscular rigidity and
tremors found in Parkinsons disease.
Norepinephrine associated with eating, alertness
Too little norepinephrine has been associated with depression, while an
excess has been associated with schizophrenia.
Epinephrine involved in energy, and glucose metabolism
Too little epinephrine has been associated with depression.
Serotonin plays a role in mood, sleep, appetite, and impulsive and aggressive
behavior
Too little serotonin is associated with depression and some anxiety disorders,
especially obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some antidepressant medications
increase the availability of serotonin at the receptor sites.
GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid) inhibits excitation and anxiety
Too little GABA is associated with anxiety and anxiety disorders. Some
antianxiety medication increases GABA at the receptor sites.
Endorphins involved in pain relief and feelings of pleasure and
 The Cell of the Nervous
System
The central nervous system (CNS) is
made up of the brain and spinal
cord. The primary form of
communication in the CNS is the
neuron. The brain and spinal cord
are absolutely vital to life and
functioning, so there are a number
of protective barriers surrounding
them starting with the bone (skull
and spine) and membrane tissues
known as meninges.
The CNS is responsible for
processing every sensation and
thought you experience. The
sensory information that is gathered
by receptors throughout the body
then passes this information on to
the central nervous system.
 The Brain

Your brain which controls everything

you do is composed of cells. Does this
means that every experience, sight,
sound, thought represents that
activity of cells in your brain??
 The Anatomy of Brain
The anatomy of the brain is complex
due its intricate structure and
function. This amazing organ acts as
a control center by receiving,
interpreting, and directing sensory
information throughout the body. The
brain and spinal cord are the two
main structures of the central
nervous system. There are three
major divisions of the brain. They are
Basic Brain Anatomy
 Basic Brain Functions
FOREBRAIN - receiving and processing
sensory information, thinking, perceiving,
producing and understanding language,
and controlling motor function.
There are two major divisions of forebrain:
the diencephalon and the telencephalon.
The diencephalon contains major
structures such as the thalamus and
hypothalamus which are responsible for
such functions as motor control, relaying
sensory information, and controlling
autonomic functions.
The telencephalon contains the largest
part of the brain, the cerebrum. Most of
the actual information processing in the
brain takes place in the cerebral cortex.
 Basic Brain Functions
Midbrain - serves to relay information
between the hindbrain and the
forebrain, particularly information
coming from the eyes and the ears. It is
composed of two (2) systems - the
reticular formation, and a cluster of
neurons having dopamine, serotonin
and norepinephrine receptors.

The reticular formation is involved with

stereotypical patterns of behavior such
as walking, sleeping, and other reflexes.
Parkinson's disease, a degenerative
disease of the brain that causes
involuntary tremors on affected body
parts, damages a section near the
bottom of the midbrain.
 Basic Brain Functions
The Forebrain-considered as
the highest region of the
brain because it essentially
differentiates us humans
from the rest in the animal
kingdom. This region is also
involved in processing
complex information. The
forebrain is composed of the
limbic system, the thalamus,
the hypothalamus, the basal
ganglia, and the cerebral
cortex.
 The cerebral cortex is the part
of the brain that functions to
make human beings unique.
Distinctly human traits including
higher thought, language and
human consciousness as well as
the ability to think, reason and
imagine all originate in the
cerebral cortex.
Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex is divided into two (2)

hemispheres - the left and the right
hemispheres. The left hemisphere is associated
with verbal processing, such as speech and
grammar, and mathematics; while the right
hemisphere is involved with nonverbal
processing, such as spatial perception, visual
recognition and emotion. The left hemisphere
processes information coming from the right
side of the body, while the right hemisphere
processes information coming from the left side
of the body. The two hemispheres of the brain
are connected with each other by a bundle of
axons called the corpus callosum. This
connection allows the left and the right
hemispheres to communicate and integrate
information with each other.
Cerebral
Cortex