Biological Basis of Behaviour Flashcards
What makes up the central nervous system
Brain, spinal cord, optic nerve, retina
What makes up the peripheral nervous system
cranial nerves, spinal nerves, autonomic nervous system, somatic nervous system
what makes up the autonomic nervous system
sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, enteric nervous system
What is a neuron
the basic unit of the nervous system, receives and sends signals to other cells
What does a neuron need to stay alive
a constant flow of oxygen and glucose, can die fast without these
glial cell
provides sturctural and nutritional support, without them neurons couldnt function, 4 different kinds
soma
can have 1+ dendrites and typically one in the axon, synthesizes macromolecules, integrates electrical signals
dendrites
tapered extensions of the soma/cell boy, collects info from other neurons
axon
single/cylindrical, can be myelinated or unmyelinated, conducts info to other neurons
axon terminals
vesicle-filled apposition to part of another neuron, transmit info to other neurons, known as the synapse
Inside there are synaptic vesicles that contain neuron transmitters, form the base for communication between neurons, and wait for the action potential which travels down and causes the vesicles to bind, then released into the synaptic cleft, bind to receptors on dendrites
What is the neural impulse
result of an electromechanical reaction
What are the different amino acids
Glutamate
aspartate
glycine
gaba
What are neuropeptides
endorphins-large molecule neurotransmitters
Dopamine
(DA)
○ Used by neurons that control voluntary movements
○ Degeneration of dopamine that can cause Parkinson
○ Too much dopamine can be a factor in schizophrenia
Known for its “reward pathway”
Seratonin
(5-HT)
○ SSRIs, prevent the re-uptake of serotonin in the synapse, and don’t have an instant effect
Depleted levels of this seem to be the cause of anxiety, depression, aggression
