Introduction to Neuroscience
Dr Claire Gibson
School of Psychology, University of Leicester
cg95@le.ac.uk
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Functional Neuroanatomy
The Nervous System and Behaviour
Overview
Cells of the nervous system (NS)
Gross neuroanatomy
Introduction to the larger-scale neural structures that are
constructed from the cellular building blocks
Functional neuroanatomy
Correlating anatomy with behaviour
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Glial cells
support (variety of mechanisms)
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The Neuron
Camillo Golgi (1843-1926)
Neurons were continuous with one
another
Nearly endless network of connected
tubes
Revolutionary staining
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2. Integration zone
Cell body region
3. Conduction zone
A single extension (axon) transmits information away
from the cell body
4. Output zone
Axon terminals (synaptic boutons), communicate the
cells activity to other cells
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Classification of neurones
1. Shape
2. Size
3. Function
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Classification of neurones
1. Shape
1. Bipolar neurones
2. Monopolar neurones
3. Multipolar neurones
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Classification of neurones
2. Size
larger neurones
more complex inputs/outputs
cover greater distances
convey information more rapidly
.than smaller neurones
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Classification of neurones
3. Function
i) motor neuron (motoneuron)
located in spinal cord,
transmits information from the spinal cord to the
muscles,
iii) Interneuron
neither a sensory or motoneuron,
receives information from and sends output to other
neurones,
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Glial cells
Glia = glue (greek)
Originally thought to simply stick NS together
Structural support
Communicate (with each other and
neurones)
Directly affect neuronal functioning
Provide raw materials and chemical signals
Directly affect neuronal structure and excitability,
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Glial cells
Dendrites
Astrocyte
Oligodendrocyte
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Synapses (PS1003)
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The Brain
1400g (~2% body weight)
Cerebral hemispheres
Convolutions = folding= gyri (gyrus)
Separated from each other by sulci
(sulcus)
White matter fiber tracts
Grey matter cell bodies and
dendrites (lack myelin)
CNS = hierarchial
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Forebrain
Cerebral hemispheres,
thalamus, hypothalamus
Cerebral hemispheres
Frontal
Parietal
Occipital
Temporal
(bones)
Corpus callosum
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Structure
Major Function
Frontal Lobe
Motor cortex
Basal ganglia
Brocas area
Prefrontal cortex
Parietal lobes
Somatosensory cortex
Association cortex
Temporal lobes
Auditory cortex
Wernickes area
Inferior temporal cortex
Auditory information
Language area meaning
Visual identification of objects
Occipital lobes
Primary visual cortex
Visual association cortex
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Summary
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