biological bases of behavior

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Neurotransmitter that enables muscle movement

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in movement

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that regulates mood

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter that controls alertness and arousal; low levels linked to depressed mood

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows brain activity and helps reduce anxiety

Glutamate

Excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and increase pleasure

Oxytocin

Hormone that stimulates uterine contractions and milk release after childbirth and promotes bonding and trust

Melatonin

Hormone that regulates sleep and circadian rhythm

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

Hormone that triggers fight-or-flight and increases heart rate

Cortisol

Stress hormone that increases energy and blood sugar during stress

Testosterone

Hormone that influences male sex characteristics and aggression

Estrogen

Hormone that influences female reproductive development

Hypothalamus

Brain structure that maintains homeostasis by regulating hunger

Hippocampus

Brain structure responsible for forming new memories and learning

Amygdala

Brain structure that processes emotions such as fear and aggression

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain responsible for thinking

Motor Cortex

Brain area that controls voluntary muscle movements

Somatosensory Cortex

Brain area that processes touch and body sensations

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when performing an action or watching someone else perform it; involved in empathy and imitation

CT (CAT) Scan

Brain imaging technique using X-rays to show brain structure and detect damage

MRI

Brain imaging technique using magnetic fields to show detailed brain structure

fMRI

Brain imaging technique that measures blood flow to show brain activity

PET Scan

Brain imaging technique that uses radioactive glucose to show active brain areas

EEG

Brain imaging technique that records electrical activity and is used to study sleep and seizures