This document provides an overview of neuroscience topics including human genetics, cells of the nervous system, parts of the nervous system like the brain and endocrine system. It discusses that the human brain contains around 86 billion neurons and 10-50 times as many glial cells that provide support. It also outlines the structure and function of neurons including their resting potential, thresholds for firing action potentials, and use of neurotransmitters like glutamate, GABA, dopamine and more. Brain imaging techniques are reviewed including EEG, MRI, fMRI and PET scans. Anatomy of the brain is covered such as the triune brain theory and structures like the corpus callosum. Finally, the endocrine system is defined including glands like the hyp

1. Neuroscience

2. Agenda
A. Human genetics
B. Cells of the nervous system
C. Parts of the nervous system
D. Brain scans, and such
E. The brain
F. The endocrine system

3. A. Human genetics

4. 23 pairs
of chromosomes
Adenine
Guanine
Cytosine
Thymine

5. actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932–2011)
genetic mutation resulting in a double row of eyelashes

7. bit.ly/3r5DFaQ
Evolutionary Psychology seeks to
understand modern human thought
and behavior as adaptive traits
resulting from natural selection.

8. B. Cells of the nervous system

9. • There are approximately 86 billion neurons in the human brain
• Neurons are responsible for input of sensations, processing, and output of
behaviors
• There are 10- to 50-times as many glial cells (or neuroglia or glia) in the
brain. They:
• Provide structural support for the brain
• Insulate by create myelin
• Supply nutrients, and remove waste

13. Single neuron structure

14. Two neuron chain

15. Ours will be
simple,
but in reality, an
individual neuron
can connect with
thousands – to
tens of thousands
– of other neurons

16. 1. Resting Potential
2. Threshold
3. Depolarization
4. Action Potential
5. Refractory Period
6. Exocytosis
7. Reuptake

17. ⓵
-70mv = resting potential

18. ⓶
Na+
Na+
Na+
Na+
Na+
Na+

19. ⓷
We do not want to
respond to everything;
we do not want to have
every thought; we do not
want to feel every
sensation.
The all-or-none
principle means our
neurons fire only if there
is enough of a signal

20. ⓸

21. Myelination

22. Nodes
of
Ranvier

23. ⓹

24. ⓺

25. exocytosis

26. ⓻
Reuptake

27. 1. Resting Potential
2. Threshold
3. Depolarization
4. Action Potential
5. Refractory Period
6. Exocytosis
7. Reuptake
REVIEW

28. B2. Neurotransmitters

29. Acetylcholine (ACh) Memory, attention, and all motor muscle movement
Dopamine Reward, motivation, emotional pleasure, and movement control
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA)
Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, regulates neuronal excitability and
helps with anxiety reduction and muscle relaxation
Glutamate
Primary excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in synaptic transmission,
learning, and memory
Glycine
An inhibitory neurotransmitter important for regulating motor reflexes
and sensory processing in the spinal cord
Norepinephrine Modulates attention, alertness, and stress response; fight or flight
Serotonin Regulates mood, emotions, sleep, and appetite
Endorphin
Acts as a natural painkiller and produces feelings of physical pleasure
and well-being

30. Excitatory neurotransmitters
(lower the threshold):
• Glutamate
• Norepinephrine
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
(raise the threshold):
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA)
• Glycine

32. Curare is an antagonist molecules for ACh

33. The neurotoxin from a Western Rattlesnake is an agonist molecules for ACh

34. 1. What is the difference between dopamine and
endorphins?
2. What is the excitatory neurotransmitter that makes
affected neurons more likely to fire?
3. What is the inhibitory neurotransmitter that makes
affected neurons less likely to fire?
4. “Caffeine is an agonist for acetylcholine.” What does
that mean?
5. Vicodin is a prescription drug that is an agonist for
endorphins. Explain how that has the effect of “a
painkiller.”
REVIEW

36. Claim a section of
whiteboard
You will be:
• drawing, then
• talking through
something; and
• you’ll eventually
need a helper to
film you

37. C. Parts of the nervous system

38. We talked about neurons,
but not nerves

39. Sensory neurons
Motor neurons

40. Does every
reaction – like the
fist closing –
require a
conscious
decision in the
brain?

41. Reflex arc

44. Take this reflex hammer and
have fun!
Then, draw and label on the
whiteboard what the heck is
happening in your body.

45. D. Brain scans, and such

49. Lesioning and correlations

51. Electroencephalogram (EEG)

52. X-ray

53. Computed Tomography
(CT) Scan

54. Magnetic
Resonance
Imaging
(MRI)
Scan

55. Positron
Emission
Tomography
(PET)
Scan

56. fMRI

57. Diffusion
Tensor
Imaging
(DTI)
Scan

58. E. The brain

60. bit.ly/3Rk5t61
Prior to brain surgery,
patients meet with a
medical ethicist to discuss
the choices that must be
made…

61. Triune brain hypothesis
525 Million years
225 Million years
6–7 Million years

62. & reticular formation

66. Corpus Callosum: big body of
nerve fibers that connects left
and right brain hemisphere of
the cerebral cortex

71. REVIEW 1. Evolutionarily speaking, what is likely the oldest part
of the brainstem for those in the Animalia kingdom?
2. Schizophrenia spectrum disorder, which causes
“altered perceptions,” likely affects what parts of the
brain?
3. For those of us who have an interior monologue
wherein we ‘hear’ our own thoughts, what specific
parts of the brain are likely involved?
4. Epileptic seizures are the result of uncontrolled action
potential in what brain region?

72. 32-year-old male construction worker
presented at emergency services with two 4”
nails in his right parietal lobe.
What are his most likely secondary somatic
symptoms?

73. 44-year-old male
presented at
emergency services
with a 5mm diameter
carbon hunting arrow
through his right
temporal lobe,
terminating in the
occipital lobe.
What are his most
likely secondary
symptoms?

74. F. The endocrine system

75. Hypothalamus
Links nervous system & endocrine system; monitors blood chemistry and controls pituitary
release of hormones.
Pituitary gland Creates several hormones (eg, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and growth hormone)
Pineal gland Regulates circadian rhythm and produces melatonin
Thyroid & Parathyroid
glands
Hormones control metabolic rate (caloric burn & body temperature), and mineral (calcium,
phosphorous, and magnesium) absorption and release
Thymus
T-cell production, maturation, and release; thymus disorders are autoimmune disorders &
immunodeficiency
Pancreas Regulates blood sugar with (↓) insulin and (↑) glucagon
Adrenal glands Produces epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol (stress hormone)
Ovaries Produces estrogen and progesterone (prevents sloughing of uterus)
Placenta Exists only during pregnancy; produces estrogen and progesterone
Testes Produces testosterone

76. Links nervous system
& endocrine system;
monitors blood
chemistry and
controls pituitary
release of hormones.