Biology of Behavior (Module3)

Biological psychology is the scientific study of the link

between our biology and behavior
The neurons are cells in the nervous system that transmit
information.
A Neuron consist of a cell body and its bushing fibers.
Growing out of the cell body are branchlike structure called
Dendrites
Axon : A long tail-like structure growing out of the cell body
including its parts, their locations & main functions

 An action potential : Is a normal impulse brief electrical

charge that travels down an axon
o Why it is all or nothing
o How it travels down the neuron
o The threshold is the level of stimulation required to
trigger a neural Impulse
Neurotransmitters : are Chemical messengers that cross
the synaptic gap between neurons. When released by the
sending neurons, Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse
and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron ,thereby
influencing Whether that neuron will generate a neural
impulse.

 what neural communication entails

o Possible functions & malfunctions of ACh, dopamine &

serotonin
o The synapse is a meeting point between neurons
o The Reuptake is the reabsorption of the execess
neurotransmitters by the sending neuron
o Endorphins are natural opiate like neurotransmitters
linked to pain control and pleasure
Information travels in the nervous system through three
types of neurons:

o Sensory Neurons : neurons that carry incoming

information from the sensory receptor to the brain and
spinal cord
o Motor Neuron : neuron that carry outgoing information
from the brain and spinal cord to the muscle and the
gland.
o Interneurons: neurons within the brain and spinal cord
that communicates internally and intervene between
sensory and motor inputs
o How a reflex works
What the endocrine system is

o What its chemical messengers are called

o What the master gland of the endocrine system is

o What region of the brain controls it
All parts of the brain, including their locations & main
functions
o The parts of the brain that make up the brainstem
o The parts of the brain that make up the limbic system
o The lobes in the cerebral cortex
o What the motor, sensory, visual & temporal cortices are &
what lobes they are located in
o What the corpus callosum & association areas are &
where they are located
o What brain plasticity means