Physiological Basis of

Behavior
Ms. Paulene I. Ronquillo
 Neurons : the basic
elements of behavior
 NEUROTRANSMITT
ERS
Neuron - specialized nerve cell that
receives, processes, and transmits
information to other cells.

Neurotransmitters is the chemical signal

released for every transmission
 The structure of neuron

Neurons – are nerve cells and the basic element of the nervous system.
• Dendrite – a cluster of fibers at one end of a neuron that receives
messages from other neurons.
• Axon – the part of neuron that carries messages destined for other
neurons.
• Terminal buttons – small bulges at the end of axons that sends messages
to other neurons.
• Myelin sheath – a protective coat of fat and protein that wraps around
 How neurons communicate?
THE ACTION POTENTIAL
- is an electrical impulse that travels along the
axon of a neuron.
• From -70 millivolts to +40 millivolts

all-or-none law - is the principle that the strength by which a nerve or

muscle fiber responds to a stimulus is independent of the strength of
the stimulus.
 synapse
- Is the space between two neurons where the axon
of a sending neuron communicates with the
dendrites of a receiving neuron by using chemical
message.
 SYNAPSE

It is an area where two neurons

come close enough to one another
that they are able to pass chemical
signals from one cell to another.

Synaptic Cleft - the space in

between
 Vesicles – small package filled
Neurotransmitter
with thousands of
neurotransmitter molecules.

Postsynaptic Neuron –
receives signal

Presypnatic Neuron – neuron

where signal is initiated.

Receptors - signals molecules outside the cell

and distributes the signal to the appropriate
parts of the cell.
 Cell Body (soma) –
contains the nucleus and
maintains the life sustaining
functions of the neuron.

Dendrites - impulses received

from other cells at synapses
are transmitted to the cell
body.
Axon Terminals

Axon - pass the information

on to glands, muscles, or
other neurons.
 Two types of neurons
• Afferent or sensory neurons – these carry messages towards
the central nervous system from the receptors such as the eyes,
ears and other organs.

• Efferent or motor neurons – these carry messages from central to

the muscles and glands.
Neurotransmitters - Chemicals that carry messages across the synapse to the dendrite of
a receiver neuron.
• Although messages travel in electrical form within a neuron, they move between
neurons through a chemical transmission system.
• There are several types of neurotransmitters, and not all neurons are capable of
receiving the chemical message carried by a particular neurotransmitters.

Excitatory message - excitatory synapse is a synapse in which an action potential in

a presynaptic neuron increases the probability of an action potential occurring in a
postsynaptic cell.

Inhibitory message - is a kind of synaptic potential that makes a postsynaptic neuron less
likely to generate an action potential.

Reuptake - the absorption by a presynaptic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has

secreted.
 Acetylcholine

involved in voluntary movement, learning, memory,

and sleep.

High:

Headaches

Muscle Tension

Less:

Depression
Dementia – is a syndrome, not a disease. A syndrome is a group of symptoms
that doesn’t have a definitive diagnosis. Dementia is a group of symptoms that
affects mental cognitive tasks such as memory and reasoning. Dementia is an
umbrella term that Alzheimer’s disease can fall under.

As dementia progresses, forgetfulness and confusion grow. It becomes harder to

recall names and faces. Personal care becomes a problem. Obvious signs of
dementia include repetitious questioning, inadequate hygiene, and poor
decision-making.
 Dopamine

correlated with movement, attention, and

learning.

High:

Schizophrenia - chronic and severe mental disorder

that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.
People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost
touch with reality.

Less:

muscular rigidity

Dementia/Alzheimer’s
 Norepinephrine

associated with eating, alertness.

Excess:

Schizophrenia

High Blood Pressure

Heart Palpitations

Less:

Depression
 Epinephrine
involved in energy, and glucose metabolism.
Innate response to stress, fear, anger, panic
and excitement.
High:
Weight Loss
Excessive sweating

Less:
Depression
Sleep disorders
Lowered immunity
 Serotonin
plays a role in mood, sleep, appetite, and
impulsive and aggressive behavior

High:

Agitation

Confusion

Rapid heart rate

Less:

Depression

Anxiety

Obsessive-compulsive disorder
 GABA (Gamma-
Amino Butyric Acid)
inhibits excitation and anxiety

High:

Balance problems.

Irritation.

Increased appetite

Less:

Anxiety
 Endorphins
involved in pain relief and feelings of
pleasure and contentedness. Triggers a
positive feeling in the body

High:

Sleeplessness

Less:

Depression

Unexplained pain
• Norepinephrine - too little amount of this may lead
to depression and too much causes hyperactivity.
• Dopamine – Low levels of this neurotransmitter
could cause Alzheimer’s disease.
THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM
THE BRAIN
How does nervous system affects
our behavior?
Nervous System
• Nervous System has different parts, the Autonomic nervous system is the part
that mostly affect our behaviors.

• Sympathetic Branch deals with fear. When we face danger it prepares the
body to fight or to flight.

• Parasympathetic Branch affects our behavior by telling our body to relax and
slow down.
LIMBIC SYSTEM
– The limbic system, located just beneath the cerebrum on both sides of
the thalamus, is not only responsible for our emotional lives but also many
higher mental functions, such as learning and formation of memories.
– The primary structures within the limbic system include
the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and
cingulate gyrus.
– The amygdala is the emotion center of the brain, while the hippocampus
plays an essential role in the formation of new memories about past
experiences.
– The thalamus and hypothalamus are associated with
changes in emotional reactivity.
– The cingulate gyrus coordinates smells and sights with
pleasant memories, induces an emotional reaction to pain,
and helps regulate aggressive behavior.
– The basal ganglia is a group of nuclei lying deep in
the subcortical white matter of the frontal lobes; its
functions include organizing motor behavior and
coordinating rule-based, habit learning.
The endocrine system
 What is endocrine system?
• It is the collection of glands that produces different hormones that affects our
metabolism, growth, and development, tissue function, sexual function,
reproduction, sleep, and mood.
• A gland selects and removes materials from the blood then it processes them
and produce the new product for uses of other organs in the body.
• Hormones - chemical messages in order to make a change in the body.
• It is made up of :
 Pituitary glands – major endocrine gland. Responsible for controlling
growth and development and functioning of other glands. (pea-sized
body attached to the based of the brain)
 Thyroid glands – secretes hormones regulating growth and development
through the rate of metabolism.
 Adrenal Glands – cortex (outside) steroid, medulla adrenaline
 Parathyroid glands – control the calcium in our bodies.
 Gonads – sex hormones
 Pancreas – makes digestive juices and hormones that control blood
glucose level.
 The Endocrine System
• Controls the way your body system functions.
• Produces hormones that travel to all parts of the body.
• Few areas governed:
 Reproduction
 Responses to injury
 Growth and sexual development
 Body energy levels
 Internal balance of body systems
 Bone and muscle strength
 The Organ and its hormones
Ovaries
• Maintain the health
of the female
reproductive
system
OVARIES
 The Organ and its hormones
Estrogen
• Sets off puberty

• Regulates your
menstrual cycle
OVARIES
• Helps maintain
pregnancy

• Keeps your bones

strong
 Progesterone
• Triggers the lining
to thicken to accept
The Organ and its hormones
a fertilized egg

OVARIES • Prepare your uterus

for a fertilized egg

• Prohibits the muscle

contractions in the
uterus that would
cause the body to
reject an egg
 The Organ and its hormones
Testosterone
• Initiates the internal and
external development of a
male fetus

• Plays an important role

during male puberty, sparking
OVARIES growth spurts, hair growth
and genital changes

• Enhances libido for both

genders

• Signals the body to make new

Testes blood cells, so the muscles
and bones stay strong during
and after puberty
The Organ and its hormones
Pituitary Gland
• "Master control
gland“

• Promotes growth in
Pituitary gland
childhood

• Helps to maintain
healthy muscle and
bone mass

• Controls other glands

The Organ and its hormones
Prostaglandin
• Controls healing
process

Pituitary gland
• Stimulate the
formation of a
blood clot and the
contraction of the
blood vessel wall
The Organ and its hormones
Growth Hormone
• increases muscle and
bone strength in
women
Pituitary gland
• protects your tissues
against breakdown

• keeps your
metabolism humming
The Organ and its hormones
Hypothalamus
• The portion of the brain that
maintains the body’s internal
balance (homeostasis)

• The link between the endocrine

and nervous systems

• Produces releasing and inhibiting

hormones, which stop and start
Hypothalamus the production of other hormones
throughout the body

• Responsible for body

temperature, hunger, moods and
the release of hormones from
other glands; and also controls
thirst, sleep and sex drive
The Organ and its hormones
Leptin
• Satiety hormone

• Communicates to
your brain that
you’ve been fed so
you stop eating
Hypothalamus
 The Organ and its hormones
Oxytocin
• Signaling contractions of
the womb during labor

• Promotes lactation by
moving the milk into the
breast
Pituitary gland
• controls some human
behaviors and social
interaction

• triggers the bond between

Hypothalamus a mother and an infant

• play a role in recognition,

sexual arousal, trust and
anxiety
 The Organ and its hormones
Adrenals
• Helps to control blood
sugar
Adrenals • Helps regulate
metabolism and helps
your body respond to
stress
• Helps control blood
pressure
• Helps your body react
to stress
• Controls sex drive
 The Organ and its hormones
Adrenaline
• fight or flight
hormone
Adrenals
• causes a noticeable
increase in strength
and performance

• heightened
awareness
 The Organ and its hormones
Dopamine
• Happy Hormone

Adrenals • brighten your mood

• tells your brain to

repeat a
pleasurable
activities
 The Organ and its hormones
Cortisol
• help control blood
sugar levels

• regulate metabolism
Pituitary gland
• help reduce
Hypothalamus inflammation

• assist with memory

formulation
Adrenals
• helps control blood
pressure
 The Organ and its hormones
Thyroid
• Controls a person's
metabolism

• Govern many of the

functions in your
body, such as the way
the body uses energy,
consumes oxygen and
Thyroid produces heat
 The Organ and its hormones
Thyroxine
• Secreting a number
of hormones that
affect everything
from heart health
to metabolism

Thyroid
The Organ and its hormones
Pancreas
• Maintain healthy
blood sugar levels

Pancreas
The Organ and its hormones
Insulin
• Regulates many
metabolic processes
that provide cells
with needed energy

• Allows the cells in

Pancreas the muscles, fat and
liver to absorb
glucose that is in
the blood
The Organ and its hormones
Glucagon
• Prevents blood
glucose levels from
dropping to a
dangerous point

• Stops the liver from

Pancreas consuming some
glucose
The Organ and its hormones
Serotonin
• Most commonly
known for its mood-
boosting effects

• Low levels may lead

to depression
Pancreas
The Organ and its hormones
Ghrelin
• Hunger Hormone

Pancreas
 The Organ and its hormones
Pineal
• Produces melatonin
which helps the body
recognize when it is
time to go to sleep

Pineal
 The Organ and its hormones
Melatonin
• Sleep Hormone

Pineal
 How does endocrine system affects our
behavior?
• Hormones affects our behavior.
• Behavior is coordinated response to environment.
• Cognitive behavioral activity (CBT) – is about realizing and changing the
cognitive patterns that lead to maladaptive behavior, not controlling your
physiology.
• Example: Being afraid. Epinephrine courses to our blood vessels that
increased our heart rates, and making our digestion and immune system to
receive energy it leads us to fight or flight response.
 SUMMARY
• From the Neurons to the Nervous system and Endocrine system, and to the
brain, our behavior have physiological bases. It lead us to learn how our
brains permit us to think, reason, speak, recall and experience emotions.
• Neuron is the basic element of nervous system and behavior. Neurons have
body called axon, which is covered by Myelin Sheath to improve electric
impulse, and terminal buttons at the end of axons, where the message will be
send. Other neuron will receive through their dendrites and pass to the soma
and axon and terminal buttons.
• Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carries messages in the synapse. One
example of this is dopamine which affects our behavior by increasing
pleasure and suppresses our appetites.
 Summary
• The nervous system is divided in two, the Central NS and Peripheral Ns. Central NS
consists of brain stem, spinal chord and brain. It is called as “Body’s master control unit.”
The other is Peripheral NS which is divided into autonomic and somatic. Autonomic is
further divided n two which are: sympathetic and parasympathetic.
• We then learn about the endocrine system which is a process of sending chemical
messages called “Hormones” to the bloodstream by the glands. The process is slower, so
the effects last longer. The glands are Pituitary glands, thyroid glands, Adrenal Glands,
Gonads, and Pancreas.
• By learning how the neurons work, by knowing the Nervous system and endocrine
system, and by understanding the brain, we can see that these systems and processes
makes the Physiological aspects of our behavior, but it is only the glimpse there are
much to discover.
 REFERENCES
• Floyd Henry Allport,, Chapter 2: The Physiological Basis of Human
Behavior. Retrieved from:
https://brocku.ca/MeadProject/Allport/1924/1924_02.html
• Feldman, R. S. (1996). Understanding psychology. New York:
McGraw-Hill
• What is the physiological basis of behavior? (n.d.). Retrieved
August 16, 2016, from https://www.reference.com/world-
view/physiological-basis-behavior-6fd4e8581849c1d1#