Biological Bases of Behaviour

Dr. Sasmita Mishra

 Biological Bases of Behaviour

Brain case study: Phineas Gage

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Structure of Neuron
 Types of Neurons
• Sensory
• Motor
• Interneurons
Function of different Neurons
Function of different Neurons
 Communication within neurons
• Graded potential
• Action potential
• Nodes of Ranvier
Graded Potential
Action Potential
Communication between neurons
• Nerve impulse
• Synaptic vesicles
• Neurotransmitters
 Neurotransmitters
Steps in chemical transmission of information across synapses from neuron
• The transmitting or synaptic neuron manufactures or synthesizess the
neurotransmitter molecules from simpler molecules derived from the foods we eat
and from other sources
• The manufactured neurotransmitter is stored in the bouton vesicles of the transmitter
neuron.
• Nerve impulses reaching the boutons initiate a process which causes some of the
vesicles to move to the synaptic cleft, where they discharge their stored
neurotransmitter.
• The neurotransmitter rapidly diffuses across the narrow synaptic cleft and combines
with specialized receptor molecules on the membrane of the receiving, or
postsynaptic neuron
• The combination of neurotransmitter and receptor initiates changes in the receiving
neuron that lead to excitation or inhibition.
• The combined neurotransmitter is rapidly deactivated, as is excess neurotransmitter
in the synaptic cleft, to make the post synaptic cell ready to receive another message.
 Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter Location
Acetylcholine Found throughout the central
nervous system, in the
autonomic nervous system, and
at all neuromuscular junctions
Nor epinephrine Found in neurons in the
autonomic nervous system
Dopamine Produced by neurons located in Involved in movement,
a region of the brain called the
substantia nigra
Effects
Involved in muscle action,
learning and memory
Primarily involved in control or
alertness and wakefulness
attention, and learning.
Degenration of dopamine
producing neurons has been
linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Too much dopamine has been
linked to Schizophrenia.
 Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter Location Effects
Serotonin Found in neurons in the brain and Plays a role in the regulation of mood
spinal cord and in the control of eating, sleep,
and arousal. Has also been
implicated in the regulation of pain
and in dreaming.
GABA (gamma- Found throughout the brain and GABA is the major inhibitory
amino-butyric spinal cord neurotransmitter in the brain.
acid) Abnormal levels of GABA have been
implicated in sleep and in eating
disorder.
Endrophin found in the pituitary gland, in Stress and pain are the two most
other parts of the brain, or common factors leading to the
distributed throughout the release of endorphins. Endorphins
nervous system interact with the opiate receptors in
the brain to reduce our perception of
pain and act similarly to drugs such
The Nervous System
BRAIN
 Central Nervous System
• The brain
– The hind brain
• Medulla
• Pons
• Reticular formation
• Cerebellum
 Central Nervous System
• The brain
– The mid brain
• Superior and inferior colliculus
• Substantia nigra
 Central Nervous System
• The brain
– The forebrain
• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary gland
• Limbic system
• Cerebral cortex
 Central Nervous System
• Cerebral cortex
 Central Nervous System
• Corpus Callosum
 Plasticity of Brain
• Brain activity associated with a given function
can move to a different location as a
consequence of normal experience, brain
damage or recovery.
• “
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Perso
nal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Scien
ce
,” (Book)
Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Brain and higher mental processes
Thank You