Neuroscience and Behavior –
Chapter 2
1.Neurons
2.Neurotransmitters
3.The Nervous System
4.The Brain
5.Measuring Techniques
6.The Endocrine System
Types of Neurons
• Afferent neurons (Sensory), relay information
from the senses to the brain and spinal cord.
• Efferent neurons (motor), send information
from the central nervous system to the glands
and muscles, enabling the body to move.
• Interneurons carry information between
neurons in the Central Nervous System.
• Parts of the
Neuron
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Cell Body
Dendrites
Axon
Myelin sheath
Terminals
Synapse
• Glial cells
Neuron
Neurotransmitters
• Acetylcholine excites skeletal muscles
• Dopamine excites and inhibits learning, attention,
movement, and reinforcement.
• Norepinephrine affects eating habits, alertness, and
wakefulness. Predominant in fear.
• Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) causes surges
of energy. Predominant in anger.
• Serotonin plays role in regulating mood, sleep,
impulsivity, aggression and appetite.
• Endorphins reduce pain and positively affect mood.
Synapse
• Structures at
Synapse
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Axon Terminal
Synaptic Vesicles
Neurotransmitters
Synaptic Cleft
Nervous System
• Central Nervous
System
– Brain
– Spinal Cord
• Peripheral Nervous System
– Somatic Nervous System
– Autonomic Nervous System
• Sympathetic Nervous
System
• Parasympathetic Nervous
System
The Brainstem
• Medulla controls automatic functions such as
heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, coughing,
and swallowing
• Reticular formation regulates attention and
alertness
• Pons plays a role in body movement and sleep
and dreaming
Structures of the Human Brain
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Corpus Callosum
Cerebrum
Cerebral Cortex
Substantia nigra
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Cerebellum
Click to see picture
Lobes of the Brain
• Frontal Lobe
– Motor cortex Special Language Centers
• Parietal Lobe
– Somatosensory cortex
• Occipital Lobes
– Primary visual cortex
• Temporal Lobes
– Primary auditory cortex
Special Language Centers
• Broca’s Area
• Wernicke’s Area
Scanning Techniques
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CT Scan (computerized axial tomography)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
PET Scan (positron-emission tomography)
Functional MRI (fMRI)
• Views or cuts
– Axial
– Sagittal
– coronal
Whole Brain Atlas
Brain Waves
• Beta wave – waves present while awake
• Alpha wave – waves present in light sleep
• Delta wave – waves present in deep sleep
Endocrine System
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Pituitary gland
Thyroid gland
Pancreas
Adrenal glands
Gonads