Biopsychology Flashcards
Nerve anatomy and physiology:
The basic structure and function of a nerve cell; sends neurochemical messages throughout the body
Biopsycology
The study of the relationship between the brain and behavior. Sometimes referred to as neuroscience or neuropsychology.
Nerves
Cells which transmit messages throughout the nervous system
Make up approximately 10%of brain cells
Sensory neurons
Receive stimuli
Transducer
Communicate to the brain
Motor neurons
Communicate messages from the brain
Inter neurons
Communicate within the CNS (brain and spinal cord)
Go between the sensory and motor neurons
Glial cells
Support cells for neurons
Assist functions of neurons
Make up 90% of brain cells
Cell body(soma)
Directs activity of the neuron
Contains neurons
Dendrites:
Receive messages from neighboring neutrons
Contain the post- synaptic receptor sites
Send messages to the soma
Receive, potentially, messages from thousands of other neurons
Axons
Carry messages from the soma to the terminal buttons
The action potential occurs here
Myelin Sheath:
Surrounds the axon with isolation layer of glial cells
Keeps nerve signal from “short-circuiting”
Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps in the myelin sheath
Promotes the action potential
Terminal buttons
Aka axon terminals
Structures at the end of an axon
Contains synaptic vesicles
Synaptic vesticles
Structures within terminal buttons
Produces and stores neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
Aka neurochemicals
Chemical messengers produced by the neuron
Effects a myriad of human functions and experiences, including: vital functions, movement, emotions, emotions, cognition and states of consciousness.
Acetylcholine
Learning Memory Muscle contraction
Too little: dementia, Alzheimer’s
Too much:paralysis, convulsions
Dopamine
Movement. aspects of cognition. moods
Too little: muscle tremors
Too much: hallucinations, delusions
Endorphins
Pain relief; pleasure
Too little:stress, pain
Too much: euphoria opace addiction
GABA
Lower brain activity (inhibition of neural activity)
Too little:anxiety; epilepsy
Too much: sedative state
Glutamate
Increased brain activity(an excitatory neurotransmitter), memory formation
Too little: memory impairment
Too much: neurodegeneration, psychosis
Serotonin
Levels of arousal( states of consciousness) mood & sleep & emotion
Too little: depression
Too much: mood disorders
Substance P
Pain formation
Too little: pain insensitivity
Too much: pain stress
Agonists
Psychoactive drugs which mimic a neurotransmitter, enhance the effect of the natural neurotransmitters
Antagonists
Psychoactive drugs which inhibit the effect of a neurotransmitter
Synaptic gap
Aka synapse
Area or GAO between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the receptor sites of a neighboring neuron
Receptor sites
Located on the dendrites in the post synaptic area
Receive electrochemical signals (messages)
Neurochemicals communication
Via afferent from the brain to the body via motor neurons and within CNS via interneurons
Afferent
Sensory neurons
Resting potential
The potential to produce and impulse
Involves negative and positive ions located near the inside and outside surfaces of the axon membrane
Depolarization
A change in the resting potential
Involves exchange of positive and negative ions
Stimulus threshold
Strength of stimulation necessary to effect depolarization
All or none principle
Stimulation is sufficiently strong for a neuron to fire, or not