Understand the significance of the biology that underlies behavior and identify reasons why psychologists study these biological underpinnings, especially the brain and the nervous system.
Describe the structure of the neuron and its parts.
Describe the all-or-none law of neural transmission, the resting state and action potential of the neuron.
Describe the complete transmission of a message from initial stimulation to transmission across the synapse.
Name the key neurotransmitters and their functions and describe their known or suspected roles in behavior as well as in illnesses.
Describe the major divisions of the nervous system, including the central and the peripheral, the autonomic and somatic, and the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
Outline the major developments in the evolution of the nervous system and describe the associated fields of evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics.
Describe the function of the endocrine system, including the relationship to the hypothalamus and the functions of the pituitary glands.
Name the techniques used to map and study the brain.
Name the components of the central core and describe the functions of its individual parts.
Name the major areas of the limbic system and describe the roles of each area in behavior.
Name the major areas of the cerebral hemispheres, especially the lobes and the cortex areas, and describe the roles of each area in behavior.
Understand the concept of neuroplasticity and the fact that the brain can repair itself throughout life.
Discuss the issues involved with brain specialization, brain lateralization, and the split-brain operation, including what has been learned about the two hemispheres from this procedure.
Discuss the differences in brain lateralization as influenced by gender and culture.
Describe how biofeedback can be used to control some basic biological processes.
