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Psychology 101: Neuroscience

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WHAT IS BIOPSYCHOLOGY?

  • A branch of psychology and science concerned with the links between biology (genetics, biochemistry) and behaviour
  • a.k.a. behavioural neuroscience; cognitive neuroscience; neuropsychology; behavioural genetics; physiological psychology

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Composed of the CNS and PNS, interconnected systems that help run the body and its behaviours

THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • network of sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the body
  • divided into the autonomic and somatic systems
  • NEURONS:
  • information processing and information transmitting element of the nervous system
  • contain dendrites (receive), axon (signal/info), cell body, myelin sheath (insulation), terminal junctions + buttons (transmission)
  • SENSORY NEURONS:
  • “afferent”
  • activated by sensory input from the environment (physical or chemical)
  • INTERNEURONS:
  • connect the spinal cord to motor and sensory neurons
  • form circuitry and transfer signals and communicate
  • MOTOR NEURONS:
  • “efferent”
  • motor neurons of the spinal cord are part of the CNS, connect to muscles, glands and other organs throughout the body
  • transmit impulses from the spinal cord to skeletal and smooth muscles to directly control muscle movement
  • notably large dendrites
  • REFLEXES:
  • simple spinal reflex involves a single sensory neuron and a single motor neuron that communicate via interneuron; automatic response that occurs before sensation even registers in the brain
  • GLIAL CELLS:
  • non-neuronal cells that support neurons
  • e.g. support, nutrients, cleaning, regulation
  • include:
  • ASTROGLIA: star-shaped, physical and nutritional support, break down debris, digest dead neuron parts, regulate extracellular space
  • MICROGLIA: digest parts of dead neurons
  • OLIGODENDROGLIA: provide myelin to neurons in CNS
  • SATELLITE CELLS: provide support to neurons in PNS
  • SCHWANN CELLS: provide myelin to neurons in PNS
  • ACTION POTENTIAL:
  • neuron communication
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