Biological Basis of Behaviour and Neuron

SUBJECT: Psychology
ASSIGNMENT NO: 3rd
TOPIC: Biological basis of behaviour and neuron and its

structure
DEPARTMENT: Zoology
SUBMIITTED TO: Ma’am Khushbakht
NAMES:
 Laraib Naeem (8005)
 Asma Hadayat (8006)
 Hajra (8003)
 Anisa Shams (8034)
 Isma Zahid (8001)
 Sheeren (8004)
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 19-11-20

Introduction to Biological basis of behavior
Introduction
The physical structure of the body plays an important role in the
behavior of an individual. The most important physical structure for
psychologists is the nervous system. The nervous system carries orders
from the brain and spinal cord to various glands and muscles, it also
carries signals from stimuli receptors to the spinal cord and brain. If we
wanted to blink your eye a signal would be created in the brain, then it
would be transported by neurons to the muscle controlling the eyelid.
Have we ever taken a device apart to find out how it works? Many of us
have done so, whether to attempt a repair or simply to satisfy our
curiosity. A device’s internal workings are often distinct from its user
interface on the outside.
For example,
we don’t think about microchips and circuits when we turn up the
volume on a mobile phone; instead, we think about getting the volume
just right. Similarly, the inner workings of the human body are often
distinct from the external expression of those workings. It is the job of
psychologists to find the connection between these—for example, to
figure out how the firings of millions of neurons become a thought.
What Are Neurons?

Neurons, also known as nerve cells, send and receive signals from your
brain. While neurons have a lot in common with other types of cells,
they’re structurally and functionally unique.
Specialized projections called axons allow neurons to transmit electrical
and chemical signals to other cells. Neurons can also receive these
signals via rootlike extensions known as dendrites.
At birth, the human brain consists of an estimated 100 billion neurons.
Unlike other cells, neurons don’t reproduce or regenerate. They aren’t
replaced once they die.
The creation of new nerve cells is called neurogenesis. While this
process isn’t well understood, it may occur in some parts of the brain
after birth.
As researchers gain insight into both neurons and neurogenesis, many
are also working to uncover links to neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Parts of a neuron
Neurons vary in size, shape, and structure depending on their role and
location. However, nearly all neurons have three essential parts: a cell
body, an axon, and dendrites.
 Cell body
Also known as a soma, the cell body is the neuron’s core. The cell
body carries genetic information, maintains the neuron’s structure,
and provides energy to drive activities.
Like other cell bodies, a neuron’s soma contains a nucleus and
specialized organelles. It’s enclosed by a membrane which both
protects it and allows it to interact with its immediate surroundings.
 Axon
An axon is a long, tail-like structure which joins the cell body at a
specialized junction called the axon hillock. Many axons are insulated
with a fatty substance called myelin. Myelin helps axons to conduct
an electrical signal. Neurons generally have one main axon.
 Dendrites
Dendrites are fibrous roots that branch out from the cell body. Like
antennae, dendrites receive and process signals from the axons of
other neurons. Neurons can have more than one set of dendrites,
known as dendritic trees. How many they have generally depends on
their role.
For instance, Purkinje cells are a special type of neuron found in the
cerebellum. These cells have highly developed dendritic trees which
allow them to receive thousands of signals.
Function of neurons
 Neurons are the structural and functional unit of nervous tissue.
 The neural tissue is meant for reception , interpretation and
transmission , where the neurons receives the stimuli.
 The sensory neurons carry sensory nerve impulses to the
interneurons which send impulse through motor neurons to the
effectors.
 Neurons help in the coordination and interagetation of activities of
various body parts.
 The neurons in nervous tissue also act as seat of experiences and
memories etc.
Chemical synapses
In a chemical synapse, action potentials affect other neurons via a gap
between neurons called a synapse. Synapses consist of a presynaptic
ending, a synaptic cleft, and a postsynaptic ending.
When an action potential is generated, it’s carried along the axon to a
presynaptic ending. This triggers the release of chemical messengers
called neurotransmitters. These molecules cross the synaptic cleft and
bind to receptors in the postsynaptic ending of a dendrite.
Neurotransmitters can excite the postsynaptic neuron, causing it to
generate an action potential of its own. Alternatively, they can inhibit the
postsynaptic neuron, in which case it doesn’t generate an action
potential.
Electrical synapses
Electrical synapses can only excite. They occur when two neurons are
connected via a gap junction. This gap is much smaller than a synapse,
and includes ion channels which facilitate the direct transmission of a
positive electrical signal. As a result, electrical synapses are much faster
than chemical synapses. However, the signal diminishes from one
neuron to the next, making them less effective at transmitting.
Types of neurons
Neurons vary in structure, function, and genetic makeup. There are
thousands of different types, much like there are thousands of species of
living organisms on Earth.
In terms of function, scientists classify neurons into three broad types:
 Sensory
 Motor
 Interneurons
Sensory neurons
Sensory neurons help us
 Taste
 Smell
 Hear
 See
 Feel things around you
Sensory neurons are triggered by physical and chemical inputs from our
environment. Sound, touch, heat, and light are physical inputs. Smell
and taste are chemical inputs.
For example,
Stepping on hot sand activates sensory neurons in the soles of our feet.
Those neurons send a message to our brain, which makes us aware of
the heat.
Motor neurons
Motor neurons play a role in movement, including voluntary and
involuntary movements. These neurons allow the brain and spinal cord
to communicate with muscles, organs, and glands all over the body.
Types
There are two types of motor neurons:
 Lower
 Upper
Lower motor neurons

Lower motor neurons carry signals from the spinal cord to the smooth
muscles and the skeletal muscles.
Upper motor neurons

Upper motor neurons carry signals between our brain and spinal cord.
When we eat, for instance, lower motor neurons in our spinal cord send
signals to the smooth muscles in our esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
These muscles contract, which allows food to move through our
digestive tract.
Interneurons
Interneurons are neural intermediaries found in our brain and spinal
cord. They’re the most common type of neuron. They pass signals from
sensory neurons and other interneurons to motor neurons and other
interneurons. Often, they form complex circuits that help us to react to
external stimuli.
For instance, when we touch something hot, sensory neurons in our
fingertips send a signal to interneurons in our spinal cord. Some
interneurons pass the signal on to motor neurons in our hand, which
allows us to move our hand away. Other interneurons send a signal to
the pain center in our brain, and we experience pain.

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SUBJECT: Psychology

ASSIGNMENT NO: 3rd

TOPIC: Biological basis of behaviour and neuron and its

SUBMIITTED TO: Ma’am Khushbakht

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 19-11-20

What Are Neurons?

Lower motor neurons

Upper motor neurons

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