biological foundations of human behavior

7/28/2019 Biological Foundations of Human Behavior

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L. PascuaC. Raymundo



Why should we study the

nervous system?• These are the organs that allow us

to act, think and react.



Neuroscience• Branch of life science that deals with thestructure and functioning of the brain andthe neurons, nerves and nervous tissue that

form the nervous system.• Focuses on neural function in the central

and peripheral nervous systems at the

molecular, cellular, circuit and behaviorallevels.



The NervousSystem• A network of cells that

carries information toand from all parts of

the body.



Central Nervous System • Composed of the brain and the spinal chord

which are in turn composed of neurons andglial cells that control life-sustaining functions

of the body as well as all thought, emotionand behavior.



The Brain

• The part of thenervous system that makes sense of the

information receivedfrom the senses,makes decisions andsends commands to

the muscles and therest of the body.



The SpinalChord

•

Long bundle of neurons whosefunction is to carry messages to and

from the brain.• Inside: cell bodies

of neurons

•

Outside:myelinated axonsand nerves



Neurons• Sensory: carry

messages from thesenses to the spinalchord

•

Motor: carry messages from thespinal chord to themuscles and glands

• Interneurons:connect sensory andmotor neurons



Peripheral Nervous System

• Made up of all the nerves andneurons that are not contained in thebrain and spinal chord

• Divided into somatic and autonomicnervous system



Somatic Nervous System• Made up of sensory pathway and motor

pathway

• Sensory pathway: all the nerves

carrying messages from the senses tothe central nervous system

• Motor pathway: all the nerves carrying

messages from the CNS to the voluntary or skeletal muscles of the body



HOW IS INFORMATIONTRANSMITTED?



Neuron: specialised cell in the nervous

system that receives and sends messages within that system.



Glial Cells• Structure on which

the neuronsdevelop and work

• Hold the neurons inplace.

• Make up 90% of the brain



Functions of Glial Cells1. Get nutrients to the neurons

2. Cleaning up the remains of neurons that have

died

3. Communicating with neurons and other glialcells

4. Providing insulation for neurons

5. Develop into new neurons *



Types of Glial Cells• Oligodendrocytes: produce myelin for

neurons in the brain and spinal chord

• Schwann Cells : produce myelin for

neurons of the body



Myelin• Layer of fatty substance

• Purpose of Myelin1. Insulates the neuron

2. Protection

3. Speeds up the neural message traveling down the axon• Neurilemma: serves as a tunnel through which damaged

nerve fibers can repair themselves



Ions • Semiliquid solution

found inside and

outside the cells

• Semipermeable

• Inside: negative

• Outside: positive

Reason:

1. Diffusion

2. Electrostatic fusion



Neural Signalling

RestingPotential

ActionPotential

Neurotransmission

Reuptake



THE OTHER PARTS OF THE BRAIN



Sources•

Ciccarelli, Saundra K., and J. NolandWhite. Psychology Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J.Noland White.. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.:Pearson Education, 2012. Print.

• http://tle.westone.wa.gov.au/content/file/9691

44ed-0d3b-fa04-2e88-8b23de2a630c/1/human_bio_science_3b.zip/content/002_nervous_control/page_10.htm

• http://www.appsychology.com/Book/Biological/neuroscience.htm

•http://kvhs.nbed.nb.ca/gallant/biology/schwann_myelin.html

biological foundations of human behavior

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