The approachable, comprehensive guide to neurobiology

Neurobiology rolls the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system into one complex area of study.Neurobiology For Dummies breaks down the specifics of the topic in a fun, easy-to-understand manner. The book is perfect for students in a variety of scientific fields ranging from neuroscience and biology to pharmacology, health science, and more. With a complete overview of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the nervous system, this complete resource makes short work of the ins and outs of neurobiology so you can understand the details quickly.

Dive into this fascinating guide to an even more fascinating subject, which takes a step-by-step approach that naturally builds an understanding of how the nervous system ties into the very essence of human beings, and what that means for those working and studying in the field of neuroscience. The book includes a complete introduction to the subject of neurobiology.

Gives you an overview of the human nervous system, along with a discussion of how it's similar to that of other animalsDiscusses various neurological disorders, such as strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophreniaLeads you through a point-by-point approach to describe the science of perception, including how we think, learn, and remember

Neurobiology For Dummies is your key to mastering this complex topic, and will propel you to a greater understanding that can form the basis of your academic and career success.

Frank Amthor, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Alabama and holds a secondary appointment in the UAB Medical School Department of Neurobiology. He has been an NIH-supported researcher for over 20 years and has published over 100 journal articles and conference abstracts.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Neurobiology 5

Chapter 1: Welcome to the World of Neurobiology 7

Chapter 2: Building Neurons from Molecules 23

Chapter 3: Gating the Membrane: Ion Channels and Membrane Potentials 47

Chapter 4: Sending Signals: Chemical Release and Electrical Activation 67

Part II: Neuroanatomy: Organizing the Nervous System 83

Chapter 5: Movement Basics: Muscles and Motor Neurons 85

Chapter 6: The Spinal Cord and the Autonomic Nervous System 101

Chapter 7: The Busy Brain: Brainstem, Limbic System, Hypothalamus, and Reticular Formation 123

Chapter 8: Generating Behavior: Basal Ganglia, Thalamus, Motor Cor tex, and Frontal Cor tex 145

Chapter 9: Topping It Off: The Neocortex 159

Part III: Perceiving the World, Thinking, Learning, and Remembering 183

Chapter 10: Looking at Vision and Hearing 185

Chapter 11: Feeling, Smelling, and Tasting 211

Chapter 12: Memory and Learning 233

Chapter 13: The Frontal Lobes and Executive Brain 253

Chapter 14: Language, Intelligence, Emotions, and Consciousness 265

Part IV: Developmental, Neurological, and Mental Disorders and Treatments 283

Chapter 15: Developing the Brain and Nervous System 285

Chapter 16: Movement Disorders 309

Chapter 17: Brain Dysfunction and Mental Illness 325

Chapter 18: Making Better Brains 341

Part V: The Part of Tens 355

Chapter 19: The Ten Most Important Brain Circuits 357

Chapter 20: Ten Technologies Revolutionizing Brain Science 365

Index 373