BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF

BEHAVIOR

Lecture 6
 In a general sense, every aspect of the body functioning
is important to behaviour , since the overall health and
wellbeing of the organism is involved.
 Many aspects of behavior and mental functioning can be
better understood with some knowledge of the
underlying biological processes.
 Our nervous System ,sense organs, muscles and glands
enable us to be aware of and to adjust to our
environment.
Perception of events → Efficiency of Sense Organs
Behavior Motivation → Needs ( Hunger, Thirst, Avoidance of pain)
Ability to use language, think, and to solve problems→ Functioning
of Brian
 Our primary interest is in the nervous system and in the
effectors or bodily organs activated by nerves.
BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

 Biopsychology: The study of how biological processes,

especially activity in the brain and nervous system, relate
to behavior. Its also called Neurosciences
 Scientist have long known that the brain is the organ of
consciousness and action
 The human brain is the size of a large grapefruit

 It weighing a little over 3 pounds, it consists of some 10

to 12 billion neurons
NEURONS : STRUCTURE &
FUNCTION
NEURONS
 The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Cells of the
nervous system, called nerve cells or neurons (Neurons:
Individual nerve cells)

 Neurons carry process , messages or information, they also

activate muscles and glands

 The brain is composed of 10 to 12 billions of nerve cells or

neurons.

 Each of these are interconnect.

 Neurons are the specialized cells that are the basic elements of
the nervous system that carry messages. Neurons have the ability
to communicate with other cells.
STRUCTURE OF NEURON
 Dendrites ;Neurons have a
cluster of fibers called
dendrites at one end of a
neuron that receive
messages from other
neurons.
 Cell body; The second part
of neuron , It is the life-
support center and provides
the energy for all the cells
activity.
 Connects the dendrites to
the axon.
 Axon ; A long extension
from the end of a neuron
that carries messages to
other cells through the
neuron.

 Terminal Buttons;
Small bulges at the end of
axon branches that
transmit messages to
other cells.
 Myelin Sheath ; A protective
coating, made up of series of
specialized cells of fat and protein
that wrap themselves around the
axon.
 The purpose of the myelin sheath
is to allow impulses to transmit
quickly and efficiently along the
nerve cells. If myelin is damaged,
the impulses slow down.
 If your hand touches a painfully hot stove, the
information regarding the pain is passed through
neurons in the hand and arm that contain a relatively
large quantity of myelin, speeding the message of pain
to the brain.
Nodes of Ranvier
oThe mylian sheeth is not a continuous covering, but
consists of segmants with small gaps, called nodes of
ranvier.(approximately 1 micrometer in diameter)
they allows nutrients and waste to enter and exit the
neuron.
THE SYNAPSE
 A tiny gap between two neurons.
Neurons do NOT touch each
other- the space in between is
call the synapse.

 Nerve Impulse;. the electrical

and chemical transmission of
information from one neuron to
another

 A neural Impulse fires when the

neuron is stimulated by pressure,
heat, light , or chemical
messages from nearby neuron.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
 Neurotransmitter are
chemicals that alters
activity in other neurons
 Receptor Sites are tiny
areas on the surface of a
cell that are sensitive to
neurotransmitters
 A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries,
increases and modulates signals between neurons and
other cells in the body.
 Neurotransmitters play a major role in everyday life and
functioning. Scientists do not yet know exactly how
many neurotransmitters exist, but more than 100
chemical messengers have been identified.
 When neurotransmitters are affected by disease or drugs,
there can be a number of different adverse effects on the
body.
 NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND MENTAL
HEALTH
 The following are those neurotransmitters which play a
significant role in our mental health.
Neurotransmitter function Psychological disorder

Dopamine Correlate with learning,a Too much dopamine

ttention, movement associated with
schizophrenia, too little
associated with depression

GABA Inhibits excitation and anxiety Too little associated with

anxiety disorders

Endorphins  involved in pain relief and

feelings of pleasure
TYPES OF NEURONS
 Sensory Neurons; that receive sensory signals from sensory
organs and send them to the central nervous system

 Motor Neurons; The central nervous system then sends

instructions out to the body’s tissues through motor neurons.

 
 Inter-neurons ; that interconnect various neurons within
the brain or the spinal cord
  send information between sensory neurons and motor
neurons. Most interneurons are located in the central
nervous system.