‘Critically evaluate the role of neural structures in subserving a specific

Preface

Like the sun being central to our solar system , the brain is the major organ responsible for the physiological aspect of living and to human life as well . It controls all activities of man , no matter how trifle It makes breathing , eating , sensation and thinking possible - it makes living possible . To a doctor , the human anatomy is the most skillfully architected structure . It was made perfect for communicating impulses and signals in such a way that events happen simultaneously and all systems needing the participation of each to be able to

complete a task With one in failure , the whole of it collapses

Introduction

This aims to evaluate how the brain makes psychological functioning possible . Consider , for example , all the processes that happen when you accidentally touched a hot cooker . Upon contact with the hot cooker your pain receptors or nociceptors will send sensory impulses to the brain telling it that something is hot and painful . The brain will realize that you are in pain and the area experiencing pain and will send back motor impulses to it . The hand will now pull back , the muscles controlling the hand to move away . After this , the brain does not stop . It will now command you to find a cold object to apply to the painful area . And once accomplished , you will feel relief . But if you were having a hard time looking for a cold compress , you will feel your respirations go up and your heartbeat also to keep your body alert and moving to alleviate pain sooner

This is how the brain helps the body cope up with stresses . Our perception of events in the environment depends largely on our sense organs and how the brain is able to analyze and interpret these

It has been identified that structures in the brain are responsible for certain tasks that human beings perform on a daily basis . This will analyze how these structures enable certain psychological functions , like that of emotion and memory possible . A background on the nervous system especially on the structures and their functions will also be included in the discussion of this

The Nervous System

Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Neuron , a specialized cell that transmits neural impulses or messages to other neurons , glands and muscles , is the basic functional unit of the brain . It is composed of a cell body , an axon and a dendrite

Neurotransmitters are substances released by the presynaptic neuron that has the potential to excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron These communicate messages from one neuron to another by crossing the synaptic cleft and binding to specific receptors in the postsynaptic cell membrane . There are seven major neurotransmitters known and these are the acetylcholine , serotonin , dopamine , norepinephrine gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA , endorphin and glutamate

Acetylcholine , the major transmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system , is usually excitatory , but can also be inhibitory . It is mostly found in the forebrain or the hippocampus , and is thought to be responsible in the formation of...