Nervous System and Neurons

Nervous System

• The nervous system consists of:
  • Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): nerves that connect CNS to the rest of the body
• Functions:
  • Integration and processing of information
  • Control of voluntary and involuntary movements
  • Regulation of body functions (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure)

Neurons

• Basic units of the nervous system
• Consist of:
  • Dendrites: receive signals
  • Cell body: processes information
  • Axon: transmits signals
  • Terminal buttons: release neurotransmitters
• Types of neurons:
  • Sensory neurons: transmit information from senses to CNS
  • Motor neurons: transmit information from CNS to muscles and glands
  • Interneurons: integrate and process information within the CNS

Neurotransmission

• Process by which neurons communicate with each other
• Steps:
  1. Synthesis: neurotransmitters are produced in the terminal buttons
  2. Storage: neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles
  3. Release: neurotransmitters are released into the synapse
  4. Binding: neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
  5. Signal transmission: signal is transmitted to the postsynaptic neuron
  6. Termination: signal is terminated through reuptake or breakdown of neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

• Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons
• Examples:
  • Acetylcholine: involved in muscle contraction, memory, and learning
  • Dopamine: involved in motivation, reward, and movement
  • Serotonin: involved in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep
  • Norepinephrine: involved in attention, arousal, and stress response

Brain Structures

• Cerebrum: divided into two hemispheres, responsible for higher-level thinking and processing
• Cerebellum: coordinates movement and balance
• Brainstem: regulates basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
• Limbic system: involved in emotions, motivation, and memory
• Hippocampus: plays a key role in forming and consolidating new memories

Genetics and Behaviour

• Genes influence behaviour through the expression of proteins and neurotransmitters
• Epigenetics: environmental factors can influence gene expression
• Heritability: the proportion of variation in a behaviour that can be attributed to genetics
• Gene-environment interaction: the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that influences behaviour

Nervous System

• Consists of Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• CNS includes brain and spinal cord, while PNS includes nerves that connect CNS to the rest of the body
• Functions include integration and processing of information, control of voluntary and involuntary movements, and regulation of body functions like heart rate and blood pressure

Neurons

• Basic units of the nervous system, consisting of dendrites, cell body, axon, and terminal buttons
• Dendrites receive signals, cell body processes information, axon transmits signals, and terminal buttons release neurotransmitters
• Types of neurons include sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons
• Sensory neurons transmit information from senses to CNS, motor neurons transmit information from CNS to muscles and glands, and interneurons integrate and process information within the CNS

Neurotransmission

• Process by which neurons communicate with each other through neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitters are synthesized in terminal buttons, stored in vesicles, released into the synapse, bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, and transmit signals
• Signal transmission is terminated through reuptake or breakdown of neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

• Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons
• Examples include acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
• Acetylcholine is involved in muscle contraction, memory, and learning
• Dopamine is involved in motivation, reward, and movement
• Serotonin is involved in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep
• Norepinephrine is involved in attention, arousal, and stress response

Brain Structures

• Cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres and is responsible for higher-level thinking and processing
• Cerebellum coordinates movement and balance
• Brainstem regulates basic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
• Limbic system is involved in emotions, motivation, and memory
• Hippocampus plays a key role in forming and consolidating new memories

Genetics and Behaviour

• Genes influence behaviour through the expression of proteins and neurotransmitters
• Epigenetics: environmental factors can influence gene expression
• Heritability is the proportion of variation in a behaviour that can be attributed to genetics
• Gene-environment interaction influences behaviour through the interaction between genetic and environmental factors