Introductory Psychology Open Course: Unit 3
Biological Bases of Behavior
In this unit we'll look at the basic building blocks of communication within the body, which are neurons and neurotransmitters, then we'll look at the brain's key structures and their functions, and how researchers attempt to understand the role of genes in shaping behavior.
The parts of a neuron & their functions
How messages travel within a neuron
How messages travel between neural synapses
Processes that occur after neurotransmitter release
Introduction to key neurotransmitters and their associated functions
How other chemicals can influence neurotransmitter release
The divisions and subdivisions of the nervous system
How early researchers attempted to study brain function
Introduction to brain scanning; EEG, CAT, MRI, PET, fMRI, & DTI
Structure of the hindbrain and their functions
Structure of the midbrain and their functions
The subcortical structures of the forebrain and their functions
The cerebral cortex and associated functions of each lobe of the brain
Split-brain patients and severing the corpus callosum
Concepts for discussing genetics and shared genes
What a heritability score indicates about the role of genes
Examples of chromosomal abnormalities & molecular genetics
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