An essential guide to help you demystify the complex topic of neurobiology and jump into this fascinating scientific field
Neurobiology is a notoriously difficult subject, but Neurobiology For Dummies explains the essentials in terms anyone can understand. This fun and accessible book covers the fundamentals, covering the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. Students in fields like neuroscience and pharmacology will get a complete overview of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the nervous system, making it easier to complete coursework and pass exams in introductory neurobiology courses. In this updated edition, fresh examples highlight the latest research, so you'll be prepared with a current understanding of the science. Whatever your ultimate career destination, this Dummies guide will help you get neurobiology under your belt.
Get easy-to-understand explanations of complex topics in neurobiology Understand the latest breakthroughs in neurological disease treatments Learn about the fascinating ways that the brain and body are interconnected Supplement your neurobiology textbook and prepare for your exam
This is the perfect resource for students majoring in neuroscience, biology, cognitive science, medicine, and beyond. With Neurobiology For Dummies as a supplement, you can sail through any introductory neurobiology course.
Introduction 1 Part 1: Getting Started with Neurobiology 5 Chapter 1: Welcome to the World of Neurobiology 7 Chapter 2: Meeting the Building Blocks 23 Chapter 3: Constructing the Nervous System 43 Chapter 4: Modulating Membrane Potentials 61 Chapter 5: Transmitting to Targets 81 Chapter 6: Communicating through Chemicals 101 Part 2: Controlling Muscles, Movement, and Survival 117 Chapter 7: Moving Muscles with Motor Neurons 119 Chapter 8: Controlling Movement through Brain Pathways 135 Chapter 9: Focusing On the Spinal Cord and Brain Stem 153 Chapter 10: Maintaining the Internal Environment 175 Chapter 11: Topping It Off: The Neocortex 195 Chapter 12: Delving into Motor Systems Disorders 215 Part 3: Understanding Perception and Cognition 231 Chapter 13: Looking At Vision and Hearing 233 Chapter 14: Feeling, Smelling, and Tasting 261 Chapter 15: Learning to Remember 285 Chapter 16: The Frontal Lobes and Executive Motor Control 307 Chapter 17: Thinking About Intelligence, Language, and Lateralization 321 Chapter 18: Brain Dysfunction in Developmental and Mental Disorders 339 Part 4: The Part of Tens 361 Chapter 19: Ten Most Important Neural Circuits 363 Chapter 20: Ten Technologies Revolutionizing Brain Science 371 Index 381
Frank Amthor, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University at Alabama. He was an NIH-supported researcher for more than 20 years and published more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and conference abstracts. Anne B. Theibert, PhD is Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She directed an NIH-funded research laboratory for 18 years and has published numerous research articles and book chapters with a focus on cellular, molecular, and developmental neurobiology.