Neurobiology Basics
50% choice between 2 Essay Qs: essay Qs will be integrated – not just based on
one lecture but a variety
50% MCQ
First and last lectures will not be covered by essay Qs
TEXTBOOK: The Neuron, 3rd Edition, by Levitan and Kaczmarek, Oxford University
Pressw
NEUROSCIENCE is comprehensive and extensive (no need to learn
every detail):
Neurobiology – study of the cellular make up activity of the nervous system,
the comparative study of nervous systems of different animals,
the interaction of neurones with other cells.
Neurophysiology - the mechanisms of neural membranes and cells
Electrophysiology - the study of the ionic flow (i.e., current) arising
from the potentials generated in excitable cells
Sensory physiology - how do sensory cells (receptors) and systems
encode and process the environment
Sensory ecology - how do the sensory systems of animals enable and
limit their evolutionary success
Neuroethology - how do nervous systems control the natural behaviour
of animals and how do those systems evolve
Cognitive Neuroscience - study of how the brain produced thought and
understands the world - I.e. the functional basis of the mind
Neuropsychology - the study (mostly of the brain) with the intent to
understand how the human species perceives its world
Neurology - the study of the function and pathology of intact nervous systems
(usually human) by examining their responses to stimuli
Neuropathology - study of disease of the nervous system - study of autopsied
material
Neurochemistry - what molecules do nervous systems use to maintain their
homeostasis as well as communicate with other cells
Neuropharmacology - how do artificial and natural compounds (drugs) affect
the nervous system and how can they be used in medical treatments
NERVOUS SYSTEM: consists of the brain and spinal cord
(CNS) and nerves (PNS)
<= Directionality of the nervous
system: 3 ways of thinking about
it:-
, Organisation of the nervous system:
CNS: part of the nervous system that serves as an integrating and
coordinating function. In vertebrates it consists of the brain and
spinal cord. In those invertebrates with a CNS it consists of a brain/
cerebral ganglia, and a nerve cord.
PNS: the nervous system of vertebrates other than the brain and
spinal cord. Consists of sensory receptors of trunk, limbs and
internal organs, and nerves other than the cranial nerves.
ANS: the involuntary nervous system as a whole, supplying
smooth and
cardiac
muscles and
glands, whose
actions are not
under
conscious
control.
a)
sympathetic:
involved in
stimulating
organs (e.g.
increasing
heart rate,
activates the
fight/flight
response)
b) parasympathetic: involved in inhibiting activity of
organs (sometimes called the rest and digest system,
conserves energy as it slows the heart rate, increases
intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in
the gastrointestinal tract)
S/MNS: responsible for processing sensory information,
consists of sensory receptors, neural pathways and parts of
the brain involved in sensory perception. Allows muscle
movement via motor neurones which project axons to
muscles.
THE MAMMALIAN BRAIN:
There are structural similarities between
mammalian brains, but the human brain is
the most evolved. Displayed by the expansion
of the human cortex that is neither strictly
primary sensory nor
strictly motor.
THE SPINAL CORD:
50% choice between 2 Essay Qs: essay Qs will be integrated – not just based on
one lecture but a variety
50% MCQ
First and last lectures will not be covered by essay Qs
TEXTBOOK: The Neuron, 3rd Edition, by Levitan and Kaczmarek, Oxford University
Pressw
NEUROSCIENCE is comprehensive and extensive (no need to learn
every detail):
Neurobiology – study of the cellular make up activity of the nervous system,
the comparative study of nervous systems of different animals,
the interaction of neurones with other cells.
Neurophysiology - the mechanisms of neural membranes and cells
Electrophysiology - the study of the ionic flow (i.e., current) arising
from the potentials generated in excitable cells
Sensory physiology - how do sensory cells (receptors) and systems
encode and process the environment
Sensory ecology - how do the sensory systems of animals enable and
limit their evolutionary success
Neuroethology - how do nervous systems control the natural behaviour
of animals and how do those systems evolve
Cognitive Neuroscience - study of how the brain produced thought and
understands the world - I.e. the functional basis of the mind
Neuropsychology - the study (mostly of the brain) with the intent to
understand how the human species perceives its world
Neurology - the study of the function and pathology of intact nervous systems
(usually human) by examining their responses to stimuli
Neuropathology - study of disease of the nervous system - study of autopsied
material
Neurochemistry - what molecules do nervous systems use to maintain their
homeostasis as well as communicate with other cells
Neuropharmacology - how do artificial and natural compounds (drugs) affect
the nervous system and how can they be used in medical treatments
NERVOUS SYSTEM: consists of the brain and spinal cord
(CNS) and nerves (PNS)
<= Directionality of the nervous
system: 3 ways of thinking about
it:-
, Organisation of the nervous system:
CNS: part of the nervous system that serves as an integrating and
coordinating function. In vertebrates it consists of the brain and
spinal cord. In those invertebrates with a CNS it consists of a brain/
cerebral ganglia, and a nerve cord.
PNS: the nervous system of vertebrates other than the brain and
spinal cord. Consists of sensory receptors of trunk, limbs and
internal organs, and nerves other than the cranial nerves.
ANS: the involuntary nervous system as a whole, supplying
smooth and
cardiac
muscles and
glands, whose
actions are not
under
conscious
control.
a)
sympathetic:
involved in
stimulating
organs (e.g.
increasing
heart rate,
activates the
fight/flight
response)
b) parasympathetic: involved in inhibiting activity of
organs (sometimes called the rest and digest system,
conserves energy as it slows the heart rate, increases
intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in
the gastrointestinal tract)
S/MNS: responsible for processing sensory information,
consists of sensory receptors, neural pathways and parts of
the brain involved in sensory perception. Allows muscle
movement via motor neurones which project axons to
muscles.
THE MAMMALIAN BRAIN:
There are structural similarities between
mammalian brains, but the human brain is
the most evolved. Displayed by the expansion
of the human cortex that is neither strictly
primary sensory nor
strictly motor.
THE SPINAL CORD:
