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Brain Response of Behavior

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Submitted By jtjjhanson
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Brain Response of Behavior
BEH/225
December 15, 2013

This paper will explain the communication process of the neurons in the brain, the major regions of the brain and what functions of behavior the systems of each region control, and the sensory process.
Part I
There are 100 billion neurons in your brain. They are the basic building block of the nervous system. They are also known as nerve cells. There are three parts to a neuron, the dendrites, the cell body and the axon. Using electrical and chemical signals neurons convey information; this process is the foundation for brain function. Neurons need to transmit information within the neuron and from one neuron to the next. To do this they use electrical signals and chemical messengers. Dendrites receive information from sensory receptors or other neurons. The information is then passed down to the cell body and on to the axon. It then travels down the length of the axon as an electrical signal. This is known as an action potential. Action potential is also known as the nerve impulse. It sweeps down the axon reaching speeds up to 200 miles per hour. There is a microscopic space between two neurons that messages must pass. This space is called a synapse. When an action potential reaches the tips of the axon terminals, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap (Coon & Mitterer, n.d.). Sometimes electrical signal can bridge the gap. If not the neurotransmitters are needed to send the information. Neurotransmitters are chemical massagers that the axon terminals release to cross the synaptic gap. If there is an interruption to the neural communication it may lead to changes in cognitive processes and behavior.
The major neurotransmitters are Acetylcholine, Dopamine, GABA, Glutamate, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin. The Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Glutamate, and Norepinephrine main action is to

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