...neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating brain function involved with cognition, affect, and behavior. Part One • Define neurotransmitters, and describe how they do their jobs. • Discuss neurotransmitter excitation and inhibition. Part Two Pick 1 of the following topics on which to comment: • Give an example of, and discuss how neurotransmitters play a role in your psychological health. Use examples such as sleeping, eating, memory, thinking, or mood. Pick an example from 1 of these human functions. For example, “I don’t sleep well; it could be because of serotonin imbalance,” or “When I feel good, my dopamine is flowing.” • This company sells dietary supplements to boost neurotransmitter production. This page defines neurotransmitters. Why might it not be desirable to use this as a source for an academic paper on neurotransmitters? Part One: Define & Discuss “Action potentials travel down the axon to the terminal buttons, or end feet, of the neuron. Then a change occurs in the synapse, the space between the end foot and other neurons. Located near the synapse is the neuron’s terminal button, where neurotransmitters— the chemicals that are transmitted from one neuron to another— are stored in sacs.” (Psychology CH.3 pg ) The synaptic vesicles, chemical sacs located in the terminal button, makes the vesicles release neurotransmitters once electric charges from action potentials are experienced. Once neurons are released they may drift across synapse...
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...transmit nerve impulses that control voluntary muscle movements are called Motor Neurons. These Motor Neurons spontaneously degenerate which means that the connections from the brain to the muscles are lost . Without the pathways for the nerve impulses to travel down the muscles, the brain loses control of the voluntary muscles. Sufferers of ALS have virtually lost the...
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...The brain is an outstanding formation full with different types of lobes that operates to meet our daily functioning. In order for the brain to communicate with other parts of the body, the Hindbrain, Midbrain, and Forebrain correspond with a small composition called neurons. Neurons are responsible for sending information to a different division of the body such as the eyes, muscles, brain, ears, spinal cord, and all other neurons. Neurons are also responsible for the basic things we do, our movement, thinking process, recollections and emotions (Garrett, 2011).Without neurons, it will be difficult to function daily. A case study: Joseph is a 59-year-old construction worker who recently suffered a stroke. A small blood clot became lodged in one of the vessels serving the right side of his brain and restricted blood flow to a portion of his right precentral gyrus. Many neurons in that area were damaged or destroyed and, as a result, Joseph is partially paralyzed on the left side of his body. He can move his left leg and walk, and can also move his left arm, but his left hand and the left side of his face are paralyzed. To determine the process of neural communication and how different functioning affects a particular part of the brain can help understand how the brain damage can originate from stroke and which method would best work in the recovery from brain damage. According to the case study, Joseph's left face and hand are paralyzed, but not the rest of his arm or his leg...
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...The biological functions of the brain influence the psychological actions we express mentally, emotionally, and physically. There are many parts of the brain that affect us as human beings to make the right or wrong decisions. The brain plays an important and vital role in a human’s beings life from childhood to adulthood. The body is comprised of two systems. Central nervous system (CNS) composes of the brain and the spinal cord. The central nervous system contains about 90% of the neurons our brains needs to function. The central nervous system integrates sensory information and responds accordingly. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) connects the brain and the spinal cord with the rest of the body. This serves as a communication relay...
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...biological functions and their behaviors are influenced by many factors (one of these factors is biological or physiological) Nervous system & Endocrine system (both biological & physiological) – regulators of human behaviors. The Nervous System * Most complex and elaborate system of biological structure in the human body. It regulates the behavior of an individual to make him survive. Neuron – the basic unit of the nervous system Producing and transmitting electrical and chemical signals from a stimulus to a response. (Distinct parts: dendrites, soma, axon, myelin sheath, nodes.) Dendrites – fine and tiny hairlike structure looks like a branch of a tree. They receive nerve impulses (messages/information which are electrical in nature) for nearby neurons and send the information to the cell body (the process is called axonal transmission) Cell body or soma – contains the nucleus that provide energy for transmitting the stimulus received from the dendrites to axon. It performs work of metabolism. Axon – found at the other end of cell body. It carries away the stimulus to Another neuron. *There is only one axon in neuron. (process of transmitting info from neuron to neuron is called synaptic transmission) Myelin sheath – fatty material that covers and protects the axons. Its function is tospeed up the conduction of nerve impulses. Nodes – they serve as break on the momentum of the speed o transmitting nerve impulses. (functions of neurons) 1....
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...Book 1, mapping psychology The case study of Phineas Gage referred as being within the subject of Biological Psychology. As we human beings are a “biological species”, we need to be able to understand our biological make-up, to further study the Physiological field, only once we can fully understand the different part of our bodies, including the brain can we then apply Psychological research methods to study & develop understanding . Science constantly evolves to study and gain understanding, which then can lead to data interpretation methods like Psychological .The Theorist Crick,-: His belief and scientific approach called “Reductionism” (Mapping Psychology, Pg 230) Suggests that “Potentially all psychological events and experiences can fully and only explained in terms of the activity within the components of the brain”. Other Scientists do however argue that there should be a much broader view taken, and other views et should be considered.(Bolton and Hill, 1996, Stevens, 1996: Toates, 2001) These other theorists, and studies are suggested (Mapping Psychology, Pg 230) as having equally possible explanations of how our brains components affect our actions and how we are. Phineas Gage, the study and interpretation of why his behaviours changed, relates hugely to beliefs of that era. Nowadays Phrenology is dismissed as Pseudo-science, due to scientific advances, developing a further understanding Phrenology : Franz Joseph Gall (9 March 1758 – 22 August 1828) was...
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...Neurons are just like a system of electrical wirings installed in the body systems. Just like electrical wires, neurons are responsible for the conduction or transmission of all the information produced between the neurons and cells communication. From its name, it is obvious that neurons are excitable parts of the nervous system which assume very important functions. The brain is the central part that makes communication of the different body systems successful with the neurons ‘bridging’ the sending and receiving of signals passing through special receptors, connections and terminals in specific regions of the central nervous system designated to have special function in the messaging processes. Neurons and cells cannot accomplish information transmission job by themselves. For enabling the signals between the neurons and the cells to be relayed, amplified, and regulated, another important component of the central nervous system known as neurotransmitters are required. These neurotransmitters are comprised by different chemicals released at the presynaptic nerve terminal of the neurons where the synapse, which refers to the movement occurring across a small gap between neurons and other cells, serve as facilitators to accomplish effective passing of information between the neurons and other cells involved in the process. As facilitators of communication between the neurons and the cells, neurotransmitters assumes many important functions in the body systems and have involvement...
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...Lecture 12: Neurophysiology 1 Summarize the three basic functions of the nervous system Sensory: detects events and changes in existing conditions, either outside our bodies or inside our bodies Integration, interpretation, information storage, decision making: integrate, interpret and store sensory info to decide whether action should be taken, and to determine what that action should be Motor: sends commands to muscle and glands, instructing them to take appropriate actions: this is called motor activity Draw a diagram that shows the basic divisions of the nervous system In addition to astrocytes, name three other types of neuroglia cells and describe the functions that have been suggested for them Oligodendrocyte: give support to neurons by arranging themselves in rows along nerve fibers. They also produce a phospholipid myelin sheath around axons of neurons in the central nervous system Microglia: small cells with few processes. Seem to be the brain’s macrophages - they phagocytize bacteria and cellular debris, and can migrate into an area of damaged nerves tissue. They play a housekeeping role, and eat up neurons that may have been damaged or killed by disease, trauma, etc. Ependyma: Cuboidal or columnar in shape and may have cilia. Form a continuous epithelial limning for the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord Describe all the possible functions of astrocytes important in the uptake of glucose from the capillaries...
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...that with you know. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed. A-myo-trophic comes from the Greek language. "A" means no or negative. "Myo" refers to muscle, and "Trophic" means nourishment–"No muscle nourishment." When a muscle has no nourishment, it "atrophies" or wastes away. "Lateral" identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where portions of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates it leads to scarring or hardening ("sclerosis") in the region. As motor neurons degenerate, they can no longer send impulses to the muscle fibers that normally result in muscle movement. Early symptoms of ALS often include increasing muscle weakness, especially involving the arms and legs, speech, swallowing or breathing. When muscles no longer receive the messages from the motor neurons that they require to function, the muscles begin to atrophy (become smaller). Limbs begin to look "thinner" as muscle tissue atrophies...
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...the whole body The nervous system is comprised of the cerebrum, the spinal cord, which is the cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers, and associated tissue that is enclosed in the spine, and also the sensory organ, all of these organs are having control over the body and correspondence among its parts The (PNS) the peripheral nervous system . it carries this information to the CNS. The (CNS) central nervous system takes information coming from the PNS, processes this information to generate behavior, and then communicates...
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...control for the human body; it receives, organizes, and responds to all stimuli that are detected outside and within the body. However, what makes the human brain superior to all other organisms is its ability to carry out cognitive processes of which less complex organisms are not capable. As Myer states, “cognition refers to all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating” (176). In order for the brain to achieve the ability of cognition, its development must begin in the prenatal stage of life. The anatomy of the brain, environmental influences, and genetics are crucial factors that influence cognitive development. The brain has been classified not only as the control for physical processes but also the control center of the mind. As neuroscientists continue to make discoveries about how the brain develops and how it works, they have begun to understand the effect the brain has on cognitive development (Meadows 316). The brain is made up of neurons. These neurons are the part of the brain that is responsible for cognition. As Meadows states, “neurons are large as body cells go, with a cell body that has many filaments of tissue protruding from it, called the dendrites. One protrusion is longer that the others, and this is called the axon (328). The brain is composed of a network of neurons made of thousands of fibers that join up with each other to create connections. Signals are sent throughout this network of neurons using electrical...
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...350- to 700-word response to the following: Explain the communication process of neurons in the brain. List some common neurotransmitters and describe their effect on behavior. The communication process of neurons in the brain A brain of an average human contains approximately 100 billion nerve cells or best known as neurons. Neurons perform as information transmitters and receivers to other neurons or to muscles in the body. Neurons have these tiny fibers that extend from the body of the cell and its main function is to receive incoming messages and transmit them to the main cell. Outgoing messages to other neurons and muscles or glands are carried out by a single long fiber called the axon. Axons are covered with a white fatty tissue called myelin sheath. The myelin sheath provides insulation to avoid signals from other neurons to interfere with each other and it also increases speed when signals are been transmitted. Motor neurons carry messages from the spinal cord or the brain to the muscles and glands. Al l neurons in the nervous system only speak one language ON or OFF electrochemical impulses. The communication process of neurons in the work by impulses or what it’s also called firing. When a neuron receives a message from other neurons it automatically excites the neuron or tells the neuron to fire. This term is also known as electrochemical impulse or discharge. After the neuron has fired, it returns to a resting state and remains ready to fire again. During...
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...process of neurons in the brain. List some common neurotransmitters and describe their effect on behavior. Through an electrochemical process, the communication of neurons takes place. Neurons processes all the information in the human body. Neurons are responsible for the transmission of communication in the brain and several parts of the nervous system. Sensory receptors interact with stimuli such as sound, light, pain and temperature which transform into a code that is then carried to the brain by a chain of neurons. When this takes place, systems of neurons within the brain interpret this information. Dendrites play the role for receiving impulses from other neurons and then transmit them to the neuron that they are in. Axons are the fiber that carries the impulses to other dendrites of other neurons.The information is carried along axons and dendrites because of changes in electrical properties which we call action potential. An action potential is initiated when a messenger attaches itself to a receptor. When that occurs, an electrical signal is triggered to be generated through the neuron. Once the signal reaches the end of an axon, which is at the end of a neuron, a neurotransmitter is released and the process repeats. Because of this communication in the brain, information is abled to be sent and carry out through the whole human body. The communication process in the brain, also allows the message to be converted from the neurotransmitters. Without Neurons, we would...
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...Effects of Diet on Brain Function Have you had a conversation with someone lately where you found you just couldn't pay attention to what you were hearing? Do you know what kind of diet you had during the week? Do you know if what you are eating is the best thing for your mental health? Your diet is affecting your every move right now. It is even affecting your ability to comprehend what you are reading right now. Whether you notice it or not, the way you are acting and feeling on a daily basis the result of what you choose to eat. Mental health is directly related to personal diet choices. For people to function in the simplest every day tasks, from putting on shoes or even following verbal commands, necessary energy must be supplied to the brain in order for it to function properly. The human body requires basic nutrition as energy to transmit brain signals from the brain's neurons (independent nerve cells) to regulate all basic behaviors and bodily functions. The vitamins and minerals your body consumes helps to dictate how these neurons fire neurotransmitters effectively and efficiently (Hollis 26). This, being the most elementary step in understanding brain function, opens studies into what different possibilities can be attributed to how and in what ways different nutrients can effect brain function (Hollis 26). A common way of observing these effects is by examining what types of diets will alter a person's basic overall mood. The link between a clean diet...
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...Brain Response of Behavior Neurons are electrical cells found in the nervous system which are responsible for sending information between neurons and the cells. With neurons, all body systems are able to talk with the brain through sending and receiving signals. A connection with the specific regions of the central nervous system is found. In order to get to where they are going, neurotransmitters are needed by the neurons so that signals between a neuron, and a cell are relayed, modulated and amplified. Neurotransmitters are chemicals released by a neuron at the presynaptic nerve terminal by which movement across a small gap called synapse facilitates accomplishment of communication of information between the neurons and the other cells. Neurotransmitters play major roles in regulating moods, emotions, affects, sensory functions, and perception giving it a impact on behavior. Common neurotransmitters that can affect the behavior are dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine . Dopamine gets released in different parts of the brain. Natural factors like food, sex, and drugs are usually where dopamine is released. Dopamine has stimulating effects with many functions which include roles in behavior and cognition, motivation and pleasure, sexual arousal, sleep regulation, mood, attention, motor activities, and learning. Serotonin controls mood and behavior such as sexual behavior and hallucinogenic behavior, appetite, sleep, memory, and learning. Norepinephrine distributes...
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