Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Brain & Behaviour.......................................................................................................................................... 1
Neurons: The Origin of Behaviour ...................................................................................................................... 1
The Electrochemical Actions of Neurons ............................................................................................................ 2
Chemical Signalling ....................................................................................................................................... 2
The Organization of the Nervous System........................................................................................................... 3
Evolution and Development of Nervous Systems............................................................................................... 5
Investigating the Brain....................................................................................................................................... 5
Eating ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Sleeping ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Dreaming ........................................................................................................................................................... 8
Feeling Good ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Brain & Behaviour
Neurons: The Origin of Behaviour
• Neurons are cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform
information processing tasks
• Glia Cells are cells that support the functionality of neurons by providing physical support,
supplying nutrients, and enhancing neuronal communication (myelin sheath)
Neurons are composed of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon
• Cell Body: Coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive - protein
synthesis energy production and metabolism & the nucleus that houses chromosomes (DNA)
• Dendrites: Receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body
• Axon: The part of the neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or
glands
Bea Lume Nunes | PSYU911/01 ‘20-‘21 1