
The Biology of Thought
A Neuronal Mechanism in the Generation of Thought - A New Molecular Model
Description
Key Features
- Written to provide a comprehensive coverage of the electro-chemical events that occur at the neuron and how they interact to generate thought
- Provides physiology-based chapters (functional anatomy, neuron physiology, memory) and the molecular mechanisms that may shape thought
- Contains a thorough description of the process by which neurons convert external stimuli to primary thoughts
Readership
Neuroscientists, researchers working in the field of neurobiology, neurologists and related specialists, psychologists and experimental neuroscientists
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- What is ‘The Biology of Thought’?
- How is This Book Organized?
- Authors’ Note: On the Uses of the Molecular-Grid Model
- Sources and Acknowledgments
- Part I: Basic Concepts in Neurobiology
- Chapter 1. Functional Anatomy of the Brain
- Overview
- General Plan of the Nervous System
- Structure of the Brain
- Cerebral Cortex
- Microscopic Anatomy of Cortex
- Structural Types of Neurons
- Diencephalon
- Basal Ganglia
- Brainstem
- Cerebellum
- Spinal Cord
- Peripheral Nerves
- Chapter 2. Physiology of the Neuron
- Overview
- General Plan of Nervous System
- Mechanism of Neuronal Electrical Activity
- Soma
- Dendrites
- Axon
- Synapse
- Signaling Activity of Neurons: A Summary
- Neurotransmitters
- Energetics
- Chapter 3. Memory
- Overview
- How is Memory Initiated?
- Formation of Memory
- Mechanism of LTM Formation
- Neuronal Basis of Memory
- Factors Affecting Memory
- Some Phenomena Related to the Brain
- Chapter 1. Functional Anatomy of the Brain
- Part II: The Molecular-Grid Model
- Chapter 4. Primary Thoughts and Ideas
- Overview
- Concept of Primary Thought
- Primary Thought as a Fundamental Unit
- Primary Thoughts and Memory
- Sensory Experience is the Same Irrespective of Stimulus
- We Can Only Sense What our Mind Knows
- How Innovative is Human Thought?
- Primary Thoughts are Inherited
- Chapter 5. The Perceptual Neurons
- Overview
- Pathways of Perception
- Perceptual Neurons
- Simple Ideas and Complex Ideas
- Locating Perceptual Neurons in the Cortex
- Chapter 6. Dendrites and Primary Thoughts
- Overview
- General Outlines
- Events at Synapses
- Events at Axons
- Events at Dendrites
- Electrical Activity at Dendrites
- Where in the Neuron?
- The Final Conclusion
- Chapter 7. Molecular-Grid Model
- Overview
- Cell Membrane
- Lipid Rafts and Microdomains
- Signal Transduction in Neurons
- Anatomy of Molecular Grid
- Mechanism of Generation of Primary Thoughts
- Genetic Basis of Primary Thoughts
- Molecular Grids as ‘Biological Transistors’
- Chapter 8. Memory, Intelligence and Molecular Grid
- Overview
- Memory: A Review
- Molecular Mechanism of Memory
- Storage of Memory and Recall
- Forgetfulness
- Intelligence
- Some Weird but Explainable Phenomena
- Chapter 4. Primary Thoughts and Ideas
- Part III: The Evolution of Human Mind
- Chapter 9. Mind and Consciousness
- Overview
- Evolution of the Human Mind
- Evolution of the Central Executive
- Volition, Memory and Central Executive
- Will Versus Volition
- The Wine-Glass Analogy!
- Chapter 10. Metaphysics of Thought
- Overview
- The Problem of the Observed: The Enigma of the External World
- The Problem of the Observer: The Paradox of the Human Mind
- How is Thought Initiated?
- Who am ‘I’?
- Chapter 9. Mind and Consciousness
- Part IV: The Computer and the Brain
- Chapter 11. Molecular Grids and Computers
- Overview
- The Essentials of a Computer
- The Neuron as the Chip
- Some Highlights in the Comparison
- Chapter 11. Molecular Grids and Computers
- References
- Glossary
- Index
Product details
- No. of pages: 248
- Language: English
- Copyright: © Academic Press 2014
- Published: August 28, 2014
- Imprint: Academic Press
- eBook ISBN: 9780128011614
- Hardcover ISBN: 9780128009000
About the Author
Krishnagopal Dharani

Affiliations and Expertise
Ratings and Reviews
Latest reviews
(Total rating for all reviews)
Yves M. Thu Dec 13 2018
Very nice book to introduce someone to brain neuroscience
I read this book in preparation for master studies work in brain computer interfaces. It is a very nice book that gives you a good understanding of the central nervous system and makes a proper analogy between the brain and digital computers. I can only recommend it for beginners in this field.