Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe BrainThe NeuronNeurotransmittersCommunication Systems
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Table of Contents
The Brain
The Neuron
Neurotransmitters
Communication Systems
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The brain and behavior are core topics in the study of psychology. After all, it is the brain and behavior that influence how we think, feel, and respond in every aspect of our lives. They are also central to our mental health, well-being, and functioning.
Exploring some of the basics of biological psychology means looking into the biological processes that play a role in how we think, feel, react, and behave.
At a GlanceUnderstanding how the brain influences behavior is important in psychology. Different regions of the brain are associated with different aspects of mental functioning. The brains neurons and the neurotransmitters that transmit information can also influence mental health. Understanding how these aspects of the brain work can help researchers learn more about how they contribute to problems including anxiety, depression, substance use, and other mental health conditions.
At a Glance
Understanding how the brain influences behavior is important in psychology. Different regions of the brain are associated with different aspects of mental functioning. The brains neurons and the neurotransmitters that transmit information can also influence mental health. Understanding how these aspects of the brain work can help researchers learn more about how they contribute to problems including anxiety, depression, substance use, and other mental health conditions.
Thearea of psychologythat seeks to understand how the brain affects behavior is known as biopsychology, although you may also hear this subject referred to as psychobiology or behavioral neuroscience.
Biopsychologists conduct research to explore how thought, emotion, and other mental.
Technological advances in recent years have allowed scientists to study the human brain in ways that were not possible in the past. Thehuman brainis made up of four lobes that are associated with different functions.
What Is Biopsychology?
Neuronsare the basic building blocks of life. These highly specialized cells are responsible for receiving and transmitting information from one part of the body to another.
Anatomy of a NeuronNeurons are made upof a cell body, an axon, and dendrites. The axon is the part of the cell that transmits electrical signals down the length of the cell so that they can then be transmitted to the next nerve cell. This is how signals are communicated to and from the brain.
Anatomy of a Neuron
Neurons are made upof a cell body, an axon, and dendrites. The axon is the part of the cell that transmits electrical signals down the length of the cell so that they can then be transmitted to the next nerve cell. This is how signals are communicated to and from the brain.
Neuron Functions
Neurons can also serve different functions. Some are sensory neurons that carry information we sense through touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing to the brain.
Other neurons are motor neurons, which transmit information from the brain to the muscles and glands of the body. These neurons allow us to move and respond to the world around us.
Interneurons are a special type of neuron that communicates between the sensory and motor neurons.
Neurons can communicate using electrical signals or chemical messengers. Electrical signals travel down the axon and trigger the release of chemicals that cross the synaptic gap to carry the signal to other neurons.
You’ve seen how a cell is structured and how nerve impulses are propagated down the cell, but how does this information travel from one cell to the next?
Neurotransmittersare chemical messengers that play essential roles in the brain and body. They are released from the axon terminals found at the end of the dendrites, where they cross the synaptic gap to reach the next neuron. Here, they can attach to receptor sites to trigger an action in the neuron.
Some neurotransmitters are excitatory and increase activity in the nervous system (CNS). Other are inhibitory and decrease CNS activity.
Types of Neurotransmitters
Some specific types of neurotransmitters that affect the brain and behavior include:
Neurons make up only a small part of the human body’s complex communication system. The nervous system comprises two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The body’s endocrine system also plays an important role in communication.
Central Nervous System
The central nervous system: The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cords. It’s functions are to take in sensory information, process this information, and send out motor signals to the rest of the body. Disease and damage, including infections, degenerative diseases, stroke, tumors, and trauma, can affect how the CNS functions.
Peripheral Nervous System
The peripheral nervous system is made up of all of the nerves and ganglia that lie outside of the CNS. It is further divided into two systems: the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
Theautonomic systemmanages involuntary body functions like heartbeat and blood flow, while the somatic system transmits sensory signals and controls voluntary movement.
The Endocrine System
Additionally, theendocrine systemplays a vital role in communication. The endocrine system works with the CNS to relay information and manage body functions, including metabolism, reproduction, homeostasis, and emotion.
SummaryBiopsychology, also known as behavioral neuroscience, is a branch of psychology that looks at how the brain affects behavior. It studies various aspects of the brain, including its structure, components, and systems. Important parts of the brain and nervous system, including neurons and neurotransmitters, can affect mental functioning and well-being.
Summary
Biopsychology, also known as behavioral neuroscience, is a branch of psychology that looks at how the brain affects behavior. It studies various aspects of the brain, including its structure, components, and systems. Important parts of the brain and nervous system, including neurons and neurotransmitters, can affect mental functioning and well-being.
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jawabri KH, Sharma S.Physiology, Cerebral Cortex Functions. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; April 24, 2023.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database.Acetylcholine, CID=187.Tank AW, Lee wong D.Peripheral and central effects of circulating catecholamines.Compr Physiol. 2015;5(1):1-15. doi:10.1002/cphy.c140007Lv J, Liu F.The role of serotonin beyond the central nervous system during embryogenesis.Front Cell Neurosci. 2017;11. doi:10.3389/fncel.2017.00074Bankenahally R, Krovvidi H.Autonomic nervous system: anatomy, physiology, and relevance in anaesthesia and critical care medicine.BJA Education.2016;16(11):381-387. doi:10.1093/bjaed/mkw011
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jawabri KH, Sharma S.Physiology, Cerebral Cortex Functions. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; April 24, 2023.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database.Acetylcholine, CID=187.Tank AW, Lee wong D.Peripheral and central effects of circulating catecholamines.Compr Physiol. 2015;5(1):1-15. doi:10.1002/cphy.c140007Lv J, Liu F.The role of serotonin beyond the central nervous system during embryogenesis.Front Cell Neurosci. 2017;11. doi:10.3389/fncel.2017.00074Bankenahally R, Krovvidi H.Autonomic nervous system: anatomy, physiology, and relevance in anaesthesia and critical care medicine.BJA Education.2016;16(11):381-387. doi:10.1093/bjaed/mkw011
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jawabri KH, Sharma S.Physiology, Cerebral Cortex Functions. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; April 24, 2023.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database.Acetylcholine, CID=187.Tank AW, Lee wong D.Peripheral and central effects of circulating catecholamines.Compr Physiol. 2015;5(1):1-15. doi:10.1002/cphy.c140007Lv J, Liu F.The role of serotonin beyond the central nervous system during embryogenesis.Front Cell Neurosci. 2017;11. doi:10.3389/fncel.2017.00074Bankenahally R, Krovvidi H.Autonomic nervous system: anatomy, physiology, and relevance in anaesthesia and critical care medicine.BJA Education.2016;16(11):381-387. doi:10.1093/bjaed/mkw011
Jawabri KH, Sharma S.Physiology, Cerebral Cortex Functions. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; April 24, 2023.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database.Acetylcholine, CID=187.
Tank AW, Lee wong D.Peripheral and central effects of circulating catecholamines.Compr Physiol. 2015;5(1):1-15. doi:10.1002/cphy.c140007
Lv J, Liu F.The role of serotonin beyond the central nervous system during embryogenesis.Front Cell Neurosci. 2017;11. doi:10.3389/fncel.2017.00074
Bankenahally R, Krovvidi H.Autonomic nervous system: anatomy, physiology, and relevance in anaesthesia and critical care medicine.BJA Education.2016;16(11):381-387. doi:10.1093/bjaed/mkw011
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