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This course is the first part of a two-course series. Its aim is to provide you with an
introduction to the brain, how it works, and what its neural and neurochemical mechanisms are
that underlie behavior. The emphasis on mechanisms, structures, and concepts is designed to
prepare you for the next course in the series, called “Brain and Behavior” that makes use of the
concepts learned in this course and applies them to complex motivated behaviors. It is also
necessary for any other neuroscience-related courses that may be offered in the future, such as
Hormones and Behavior, Drugs and Behavior, etc. Although the highly interdisciplinary
material is drawn primarily from the subdisciplines of neuroscience, including neuroanatomy,
neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neuroendocrinology, our ultimate interest is in
behavior. How do we understand behavior on the basis of its biological mechanisms?
The course is divided into three units with an equally-weighted examination at the end of
each. In the first unit, we will examine the gross structure and function of the nervous system
and neuron, with an emphasis on the mechanisms by which nerves send information over long
distances. The second unit examines the electrochemical connections between nerve cells and
the way that those connections convey information from one cell to another and across networks
of nerve cells. You will be exposed to concepts developed in molecular biology, and the way
that neurobiologists have applied those concepts to the neuron. The third unit will focus on
neurochemical pathways in the brain, neuroendocrinology, and the organization of the autonomic
nervous system. This section will conclude by exploring the way in which sensory information is
transmitted in the brain using the chemical senses of taste and smell as examples.
Last update: Prikrylová Katarína, Mgr. (04.12.2023)
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The course has three equally-weighted units. The first unit is on neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, and the second is on synaptic connections made by neurons, membrane activation and inhibition, and genomic regulation. The third is on neurochemistry, neruoendocrinology, and chemical senses. A test will follow each of the units, composed of multiple choice, true-false, and short answer questions. The course syllabus and Powerpoint lecaures are available on the course Moodle site. The lectures are structured to give you an overview of the material covered and should serve as a space for discussion. During the lectures, previous knowledge acquired by reading and trying to understand the compulsory literature is assumed.
UNIT 1: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology Oct. 6 Introduction: What is neuroscience? BCP, Ch. 1, pp. 4-21 BCP, Ch. 7, pp. 179-262 Oct. 13 Structure of the nervous system and neuron BCP, Ch. 2, pp 23-54, BCP, Ch. 3, pp. 55-79 Oct. 20 Ionic bases of the membrane resting and action potentials BCP, Ch. 4. Oct. 27 Regulation of membrane potentials BCP, Ch. 4. Nov. 3 FIRST EXAM UNIT 2: Synaptic Connections, Membrane Regulation, and Genomic Activation Nov. 10 The neuromuscular junction and synapses BCP, Ch. 5 Nov. 17 Synaptic functions and signal transduction BCP, Ch. 5, BCP, Ch 25, pp. 871-873 BCP, Ch. 6, pp. 163-177 Nov. 24 Signal transduction: Receptors and second messengers Dec. 1 SECOND EXAM UNIT 3: Neurochemistry and Brain Function Dec. 8 Neurochemistry I: Classic transmittersBCP, Ch. 6, pp. 143-178, BCP, Ch. 15, pp. 538-548 Dec. 15 Neurochemistry II: Glutamate and GABA BCP, Ch. 6, BCP, Ch. 15, pp. 538-548 Jan. 5 Neurochemistry III: Peptides and "oddballs" BCP, Ch. 15, BCP, Ch. 8, pp. 265-292 Moodle Video Endocrine systems and chemical senses BCP, Ch. 15, BCP, Ch. 8, pp. 265-292 Jan. 12 THIRD EXAM Last update: Pfaus James George, Ph.D. (08.10.2026)
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