Neurobiology

As a specialized branch of biology and a foundational discipline within the broader field of neuroscience, neurobiology is the scientific study of the nervous system. It investigates the structure, function, development, and physiology of nerve cells, neural circuits, and the nervous system as a whole, from the molecular level up to the systems that govern behavior. By examining the biological mechanisms underlying processes like learning, memory, sensation, and consciousness, neurobiology provides the fundamental principles for understanding how the brain and nervous system operate.

1. Introduction to Neurobiology
   1. Defining Neurobiology
      1. Core Concepts and Scope
      2. Relationship to Neuroscience
      3. Interdisciplinary Connections
         1. Molecular Biology
         2. Psychology
         3. Medicine
         4. Psychiatry
   2. Sub-disciplines of Neurobiology
      1. Cellular Neurobiology
      2. Systems Neurobiology
      3. Behavioral Neurobiology
      4. Cognitive Neurobiology
      5. Developmental Neurobiology
      6. Computational Neurobiology
   3. Historical Development
      1. Ancient Views of Brain Function
         1. Cardiac Hypothesis
         2. Cephalic Hypothesis
         3. Egyptian and Greek Contributions
      2. The Neuron Doctrine
         1. Reticular Theory
         2. Evidence for Individual Neurons
         3. Resolution of the Debate
      3. Pioneering Scientists
         1. Santiago Ramón y Cajal
         2. Camillo Golgi
         3. Charles Sherrington
         4. Edgar Adrian
         5. Alan Hodgkin
         6. Andrew Huxley
   4. Levels of Analysis
      1. Molecular Level
         1. Genes and Gene Expression
         2. Proteins and Enzymes
         3. Ion Channels and Receptors
      2. Cellular Level
         1. Neuronal Structure and Function
         2. Glial Cell Biology
         3. Cell-Cell Interactions
      3. Circuit Level
         1. Local Neural Networks
         2. Functional Circuits
         3. Information Processing
      4. Systems Level
         1. Sensory Systems
         2. Motor Systems
         3. Regulatory Systems
      5. Behavioral Level
         1. Neural Basis of Behavior
         2. Cognitive Functions
         3. Pathological States