Essay about Beh 225 Brain Response of Behavior

Describe the anatomy of the neuron and the ways that neurons communicate with each other.

The brain can be considered the most complex organ in the body and the centrepiece of the nervous system. Although the brain works as a unified whole, neuroscientists have identified areas within it that perform specific functions. This makes the brain interconnected by three different layers: the central core, the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex. All of which contain structures that regulate everyday life and psychological function.

Discuss the mechanisms of neural communication and explain the impact that different drugs can have on this communication.

The purpose of this essay is to explain the mechanisms of neural communication, and the influence that different drugs have on this communication. The nervous system is made up of several cells that are called neurons, which are situated inside the Central Nervous System (Martin, Carlson & Buskit, 2013). Neurons comprise of three mechanisms, a cell body which is referred to as the soma, dendrites and an axon (Pinel, 2011).

The brain is the most important organ for regulating human behavior and thought. The brain is very complex and has taken centuries to discover how it functions. The brain is separated into four distinct regions or lobes. These regions are called the frontal lobe, the occipital lobe, the temporal lobe, and the parietal lobe. The frontal lobe is located directly behind the forehead and is the brain region that controls higher level thinking such as memory, planning, and judgment. The frontal lobe also contains motor cortex which allows voluntary movements. Another vital brain region is the occipital lobe. The occipital lobe can be found in the back of the brain. Its job is to process and store visual information. The occipital lobe

In addition, the limbic system is responsible for our perception of other emotions, both positive and negative, which explains the mood altering properties of many drugs. The cerebral cortex is divided into areas that control specific functions. Different areas process information from our senses, enabling us to see, feel, hear, and taste. The front part of the cortex, the frontal cortex or forebrain, is the thinking center of the brain, it powers our ability to think, plan, solve problems, and make decisions.

There are three interconnected layers in the brain, the central core, the limbic system, cerebral cortex. The central core has five main regions that help regulate basic life processes, such as breathing, pulse, arousal, movement, balance, and sleep. The first main region in the central core is the thalamus. The thalamus begins the process of interpreting sensory information and determines fundamental propriaties and then forwards the information to the approprIate areas of the cerebral cortex. The second main region is the pons. The pons triggers dreaming and waking from sleep. The next main region is the cerebellum, which coordinates body movements, controls, posture, and maintains equilibrium. The reticular formation is another main region that is responsible for sending signals to the cerebral cortex to attend new stimulation and remain alert even during sleep. Lastly, the medulla is the center for breathing, waking, sleeping, and beating of the heart.

Let’s begin by discussing the parts and function of our brains. The neo cortex is the largest part of the brain and the most important. This part of the brain is divided into four different sections: the temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal and the frontal lobe. These four sections are located on either the right or left hemisphere of the brain they are connected by axons that send messages to and fro between both hemispheres and to specific parts of the brain then to the body. Our neo cortex is what makes us so different from our primate cousins.

. List and briefly describe the 6 primary structures of the brain and their functions:

According to Lu and Bludua, the outer layer of the cerebral hemisphere is called the cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain. Under the cortex is the limbic system, which consists of the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. In the temporal lobe, the amygdale purpose is to store and process strong feeling such as fear. Behind the amygdala is the hippocampus, which channels making memories and learning into short term memory. Then short term memory converts into long term memory. On the top of the brain stem is the thalamus. The thalamus is the “central processing center of the limbic system” (Lu & Bludau, 2011) which accumulates, processes, and distributes limbic and sensory information to the cerebral cortex. Beneath the thalamus is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis and the body’s equilibrium. To keep the system at a set point, the equilibrium monitors body temperature, blood pressure, body weight, fluid

The nervous system operates using an electrochemical process (see Video Clip: The Electrochemical Action of the Neuron). An electrical charge moves through the neuron itself and chemicals are used to transmit information between neurons. Within the neuron, when a signal is received by the dendrites, is it transmitted to the soma in the form of an electrical signal, and, if the signal is strong enough, it may then be passed on to the axon and then to the terminal buttons. If the signal reaches the terminal buttons, they are signaled to emit chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which communicate with other neurons across the spaces between the cells, known as synapses.

Neurons communicate with each other through an electrochemical process in three steps (Stufflebeam, 2008). An electrical impulse will travel down the axon to axon terminals. This causes the vesicles to open and neurotransmitter molecules are released into the synaptic gap. Neurotransmitter molecules then cross the synaptic gap and enters the receptor sites located on the dendrites of the receiving neuron. 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. This occurrence causes an electrical signal to be triggered and is generated through the neuron. Once the signal reaches the end of an axon, which is at the end of a neuron, a neurotransmitter molecule will return to the synaptic gap where they are received by the sending neuron and the process is repeated or are destroyed by enzymes (Griggs, 2014, p. 41-45).

The individual cells within the brain, the neurons, release a whole array of chemical signals in communication with one

The cortex consists of four sections, called "lobes". The frontal lobe is connected to reasoning, planning, speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving. The parietal lobe is associated with balance, recognizing, and movement. The occipital lobe is associated with vision. The temporal lobe is connected to hearing, memory, and speech. The cortex is highly wrinkled, making the brain more convenient, as this increases the brain's surface area, giving it more room for neurons. The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres- the left hemisphere, and the right hemisphere. The right hemisphere is associated with creativity, and the left one is linked with logic. A bundle of nerve fibers, known as the corpus callosum connects these "hemispheres" (Brain Structures and their Functions). The cerebellum, which is also known as the "little brain", is similar to the cerebrum, since it also has two hemispheres and a highly folded surface. This part of the brain is linked with movement and balance. The cerebellum is assumed to be older than the cerebrum "evolutionarily" (Brain Structures and Their Functions). The brain stem controls basic life functions such as blood pressure, breathing, and heartbeat. Scientists say that the brain stem is the simplest part of the brain (Brain Structures and Their Functions).

In our brain daily functions, the neurons transmit messages from one and other in the form of neurotransmitters, a chemical reaction