2007PSY Biopsychology Flashcards
What is physiological Psychology?
Invasive and direct manipulation of the nervous system.
- animals as subjects, pure research
What is Psychopharmacology?
The effect of drugs on the nervous system and on behaviour.
-use of animal models to test drugs, eventually marketed for use in patients (e.g. Prozac)
What is Neuropsychology?
Study of behavioural deficits produced in humans by brain damage
What is Psychophysiology?
Study of the relationship between physiology responses of human subjects
-usual recording device is the EEG
What is comparative Psychology?
Study of evolutionary and genetic factors in behaviour (phylogeny and ontogeny)
-laboratory work, rather than field work (ethology)
What did descartes propose?
Behaviour is reflexive -the mind is not involved.
- not only are functions such as digestion and breathing reflexive, but so are a number of mental functions, including sensory impressions, emotions and memory.
Which experiment taught us that nerves send messages by releasing neurotransmitters?
Leowi’s experiment using frog hearts. By electrically stimulating the vagus nerve, the heart slowed down and secreted neurotransmitters. When applied to the second heart, it also slowed down.
What is Acetylcholine?
The primary neurotransmitter. All muscle movement is accompanied by the release of it. Involved in regulating REM sleep, perceptual learning and memory.
What are the two types of Monoamines?
Catecholamines (more fast acting) and indolamines (more slow acting)
What are the main 3 types of Catecholamines?
Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine
What is the main type of indolamine?
Serotonin
What does dopamine (DA) do?
Produces both excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials.
- Implicated roles in movement, attention, learning and reinforcing effects of abused drugs
- Synthesized from tyrosine obtained from our diet
What does noradremanile (NA) or norepinephrine (NE) do?
Plays a central role in attentiveness or vigilance to events in the environment.
- Found in the brain and sympathetic part of the ANS
What is Epinephrine and where does it come from?
Also known as adrenaline, secreted from the adrenal medulla and serves as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
What does Serotonin (5-HT) do?
Plays a role in regulation of mood, the control of eating, sleep, dreaming and arousal.
- Also thought to be involved in regulation of pain.
What is tryptophan?
An amino acid and precursor of serotonin.
What are the most common amino acid transmitters?
Glutamate, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Glycine
What is glutamate also known as and what does it do?
Also called glutamic acid. It is the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Involved in most aspects of functioning ( i.e. cognition, memory and learning).
What is GABA?
The most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord.
What is glycine?
Appears to be the most important inhibitory transmitter in the lower brain stem and spinal cord.
What are peptides?
Released by neurons of the CNS.
- A neuron manufactures both the polypeptides and the enzymes that it needs to break them apart.
- Some act as neurotransmitters, most serve as neuromodulators.
What are the two important types of peptides?
Endorphins (endogenous opioid) and Enkephalin (a type of endorphin)
What is an endorphin?
A class of peptide secreted in the brain that act as opiates: effects opioid receptors to reduce pain
What is Nitric oxide (NO)?
A gas produced by cells in the nervous system; used as a means of communication between cells.
