Bases Biológicas de la Conducta: Syllabus and Thematic Content Overview

Overview of the Course: Bases Biológicas de la Conducta

This syllabus outlines the structure, objectives, and thematic content for the course 'Bases Biológicas de la Conducta' (Biological Bases of Behavior), which is fundamental for understanding the biological factors underlying behavior in psychology.

General Objectives

• Understand the main biological factors influencing behavior.

• Comprehend the relationship between biological traits and psychological development.

• Recognize the importance of the nervous system in behavior and its evolutionary development.

• Distinguish the biological approach in psychology from other perspectives.

Specific Objectives

• Identify the main biological principles of the body-brain relationship and their impact on behavior.

• Analyze the genetic and evolutionary bases of behavior.

• Describe the structure and function of the nervous system.

• Explain the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neural communication.

• Compare the biological approach with other psychological perspectives.

Thematic Index

Unidad	Tema	Horas Teóricas	Horas Prácticas
1	Evolución, herencia y adaptación	6	0
2	Genética y conducta	6	0
3	Organización estructural y funcional del sistema nervioso	8	0
4	Desarrollo del sistema nervioso y sus funciones	6	0
5	La célula del sistema nervioso	8	0
6	La neurona como sistema de procesamiento de información	8	0
7	Comunicación entre las neuronas: transmisión sináptica	6	0
8	La química de la conducta	0	0

Detailed Thematic Content

Unidad 1: Evolución, herencia y adaptación

• Concepts of biological evolution and modern synthesis of evolution.

• Processes of evolution: Natural selection, genetic drift, and adaptation.

• Genetic variation as a driver of evolutionary change.

• Evolution of the nervous system in humans and other species.

• Psychobiological approaches to human behavior.

Unidad 2: Genética y conducta

• Basic concepts of genetics: DNA, protein synthesis, chromosomes, and genes.

• Mechanisms of genetic expression and inheritance.

• Genetic mutations and their effects on behavior.

• Genetic syndromes with behavioral alterations.

Unidad 3: Organización estructural y funcional del sistema nervioso

• Structural and functional organization of the nervous system.

• Major divisions of the nervous system: Central and peripheral nervous systems.

• Major nuclei and systems of the nervous system.

• Functional organization of the brain.

Unidad 4: Desarrollo del sistema nervioso y sus funciones

• Developmental stages of the nervous system.

• Neurogenesis, migration, and differentiation of neurons.

• Synaptogenesis and apoptosis.

• Plasticity and functional maturation of the nervous system.

Unidad 5: La célula del sistema nervioso

• Structure and function of neurons and glial cells.

• Types of neurons and glia.

• Functional organization of neurons and glia.

Unidad 6: La neurona como sistema de procesamiento de información

• Neuronal processing of information: Electrical and chemical signaling.

• Action potentials and synaptic transmission.

• Integration of neural signals.

• Alterations in neural processing and their behavioral consequences.

Unidad 7: Comunicación entre las neuronas: transmisión sináptica

• Synaptic transmission mechanisms.

• Neurotransmitters and their functions.

• Alterations in synaptic communication and their psychological effects.

Unidad 8: La química de la conducta

• Neurochemical bases of behavior.

• Major neurotransmitter systems and their roles in psychological processes.

• Alterations in neurochemical systems and their behavioral consequences.

Teaching and Evaluation Strategies

Estrategias de Enseñanza/Aprendizaje	Aplicado	Mecanismos de Evaluación	Aplicado
Exposición oral	Sí	Exámenes parciales	Sí
Exposición audiovisual	Sí	Examen final	Sí
Ejercicios fuera del aula	Sí	Participación en clase	Sí
Lectura dirigida	Sí	Trabajos escritos	Sí
Seminarios	Sí	Exposiciones orales	Sí

Recommended Bibliography

• Alcaraz, V. M. y Guma-Díaz, E. (2001). Texto de Neurociencias Cognitivas. México: Manual Moderno.

• Bear, M. F., Connors, B., Paradiso, M. (2005). Neurociencia: Explorando el cerebro.

• Carlson, N. R. (2006). Fisiología de la Conducta. México: Pearson-Addison.

• Purves, D. (2007). Neurociencia. México: Prentice Hall.

• Rosenweig, M. R., Leiman, A. L., Breedlove, S. M. (2003). Psicología Biológica. España: Ariel.

Additional info: This syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of the biological bases of behavior, covering topics such as genetics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry, which are essential for understanding the biological perspective in psychology.