










Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
The biological basis of behavior, specifically focusing on neurons and neurotransmitters. It explains the structure and function of neurons, including the myelin sheath and nodes of Ranvier, and the role of neurotransmitters in mental health. The document also covers the different types of neurons, including sensory and motor neurons.
Typology: Assignments
1 / 18
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!











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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
The following are those neurotransmitters which play a significant role in our mental health. Neurotransmitter function Psychological disorder Dopamine Correlate with learning,a ttention, movement Too much dopamine 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
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.