brain structures and neurochemistry

What is the role of the CNS?

Brain and spinal cord that control behaviour and coordinate responses

Processes sensory information and sends instructions to the body

What does the PNS do? (peripheral nervous system)

Relays information between the CNS and the rest of the body

Includes voluntary movement and involuntary functions (breathing)

What are the key brain lobes and their functions?

Frontal lobe - decision making, planning, personality

Parietal lobe - sensory processing

Occipital lobe - vision

Temporal lobe - memory, language, auditory processing

What’s limbic system for

Emotion regulation, memory, motivation

Includes hippocampus and amygdala

What’s neurochemistry?

Study of neurotransmitters and brain chemicals that influence neural activity and behaviour

Focuses on how chemical imbalances affect mental processes

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses

Influence mood, movement, cognition and behaviour

What behaviour is serotonin linked to?

Mood regulation, sleep, appetite

Low serotonin is associated with depression and aggression

What behaviour is dopamine linked to?

Reward, motivation and movement

High dopamine activity is linked to schizophrenia