Foundations of Psychobiology

Introduction to the structure and requirements of the course; the nature and importance of biopsychology; the role of structure to function mechanisms in psychological processes - from molecular to connectome level and their psychological manifestations; nervous system, general nervous system organisation; main concepts: directions, planes, NS part designations (kernels, tracts, nerves, ganglias, folds, etc.); management of the nervous system relating to organism systems (for digestive, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal muscle, etc.).

Neurons – their types, structure and underlying mechanisms; glia cells – their types and functions; synaptic transmission and neurotransmitters; neural plasticity – basic mechanisms of memory and learning.

Neurons – their types, structure and underlying mechanisms; glia cells – their types and functions; synaptic transmission and neurotransmitters; neural plasticity – basic mechanisms of memory and learning.

The brain – cortex, subcortical structures, brain stem – the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. Functional specialisation of brain regions.

The brain – cortex, subcortical structures, brain stem – middle brain, brain bridge, oblong brain. Functional specialisation of brain regions.

Structure and functions of the spinal cord; reflexes and sensors for motor integration; PNS: somatic system and autonomous system.

Vision; hearing; balance; taste; smell; somatosensory – tactile, proprioception, nociception, temperature perception.

Vision; hearing; balance; taste; smell; somatosensory – tactile, proprioception, nociception, temperature perception.

Anatomy - organs, their structure, system; physiology - functions, regulation. Neural control: motor centres, systems, transmission, neuromuscular control; integration of sensory input and motor output.

Anatomy - forming organs, their structure, system; physiology - functions, regulation. Neural control: motor centres, systems, transmission, neuromuscular control; integration of sensory input and motor output.

Anatomy - organs, their structure, system; physiology - functions, regulation. Neural control – the CNS structures involved, ENS, vagus nerve, microbiota – intestinal – brain axis.

Anatomy – organs, their structure, system (cardiovascular, blood), physiology – functions, regulation (blood circulation, circulatory arcs). Neural control - cardiac guiding system, CNS structures involved, HRV.

Anatomy – organs, their structure, system (respiratory organs, airways); physiology – functions, regulation, gas exchange. Neural management – the CNS centers involved, the role of the brain stem, the effects of anxiety and stress.

Anatomy – organs, their structure, system, gender differences; physiology – function, regulation (hormonal regulation, gender differences). Neural management – neuroendocrine system, HPA axis, ANS role in reproductive system.

Anatomy – formative organs, their structure, system, gender differences; physiology – function, regulation (hormonal regulation, gender differences). Neural management – neuroendocrine system, HPA axis, ANS role in reproductive system.

Anatomy – the organs involved, their structure, system; physiology – functions, regulation; neural management – the CNS centres involved, the role of the hypothalamus, the neural control of the immune response, the role of ANS.

Molecular genetics – genes, DNA structure, chromosomes, replication, gene expression, Mendelian laws, interaction between allelic and non-allelic genes. Gene expression and regulation – transcription, translation, epigenetics, environmental impact.

Behavioural genetics – concepts of heredity, genetic effects of behavioural traits, studies of twins and adoptions; effects of genes on brain development.

Test on the lecture material.

Practical class – developing skills for working with scientific sources: searching for publications, types and structure of publications.

Test on the lecture material.

practical class – students describe one of the neural types or glia cells, briefly tell a group of students about them.

Test on the lecture material.

Practical class - students describe brain structures and their functions.

Test on the lecture material.

practical class – students draw a map of the nervous system, marking the function of structures by accentuating the brain.

Test on the lecture material.

Practical class – developing skills for working with scientific sources: searching for publications, types and structure of publications.

Tests par lekciju materiālu.

Preparing for group presentations.

Students are divided into groups. Students work in groups to choose a presentation topic. Explains the structure of the group presentation, the ranking criteria.

Test for lecture material.

Relationship of organism systems to psychological functioning.

Group presentations

Group presentations

Group presentations

Group presentations

Group presentations

Individual work results discussion - learned, learned, learned, suggested ways to improve scientific writing.

A visit to the RSU Anatomicum.

Introduction to the structure and requirements of the course; the nature and importance of biopsychology; the role of structure to function mechanisms in psychological processes - from molecular to connectome level and their psychological manifestations; nervous system, general nervous system organisation; main concepts: directions, planes, NS part designations (kernels, tracts, nerves, ganglias, folds, etc.); management of the nervous system relating to organism systems (for digestive, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal muscle, etc.).

Neurons – their types, structure and underlying mechanisms; glia cells – their types and functions; synaptic transmission and neurotransmitters; neural plasticity – basic mechanisms of memory and learning.

The brain – cortex, subcortical structures, brain stem – the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. Functional specialisation of brain regions.

Structure and functions of the spinal cord; reflexes and sensors for motor integration; PNS: somatic system and autonomous system.

Vision; hearing; balance; taste; smell; somatosensory – tactile, proprioception, nociception, temperature perception.

Anatomy - organs, their structure, system; physiology - functions, regulation. Neural control: motor centres, systems, transmission, neuromuscular control; integration of sensory input and motor output.

Anatomy - organs, their structure, system; physiology - functions, regulation. Neural control – the CNS structures involved, ENS, vagus nerve, microbiota – intestinal – brain axis.

Anatomy – organs, their structure, system (cardiovascular, blood), physiology – functions, regulation (blood circulation, circulatory arcs). Neural control - cardiac guiding system, CNS structures involved, HRV.

Anatomy – organs, their structure, system (respiratory organs, airways); physiology – functions, regulation, gas exchange. Neural management – the CNS centers involved, the role of the brain stem, the effects of anxiety and stress.

Anatomy – organs, their structure, system, gender differences; physiology – function, regulation (hormonal regulation, gender differences). Neural management – neuroendocrine system, HPA axis, ANS role in reproductive system.

Molecular genetics – genes, DNA structure, chromosomes, replication, gene expression, Mendelian laws, interaction between allelic and non-allelic genes. Gene expression and regulation – transcription, translation, epigenetics, environmental impact.

Behavioural genetics – concepts of heredity, genetic effects of behavioural traits, studies of twins and adoptions; effects of genes on brain development.

Test on the lecture material.

Practical class – developing skills for working with scientific sources: searching for publications, types and structure of publications.

Tests par lekciju materiālu.

Preparing for group presentations.

Students are divided into groups. Students work in groups to choose a presentation topic. Explains the structure of the group presentation, the ranking criteria.

Test for lecture material.

Relationship of organism systems to psychological functioning.

Group presentations

Group presentations

Group presentations