Biopsychology - The process of synaptic transmission, including reference to neurotransmitters, excitation and inhibition. Flashcards
Neurons communicate with each other in groups known as…
Neural networks
What separates neurons?
Synapse
What is the name of the gap between neurons?
Synaptic cleft
How are signals transmitted WITHIN neurons?
Electrically
How are signals transmitted BETWEEN neurons?
Chemically - synaptic transmission
What is synaptic transmission?
How neighboroughing neurons communicate with each other via chemicals messages across the synaptic cleft (gap that separates them)
What is the name of the end of the neuron?
Presynaptic terminal
When an electrical impulse reaches the presynaptic terminal( end of the neuron) what is released?
Neurotransmitter
Where are neurotransmitters released from?
Synaptic vesicles
What is a neurotransmitter?
A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries information from one neuron to another.
Neurotransmitters can be divided into two main functions. What are they?
- Excitation
2. Inhibition
Once a neurotransmitter crosses the gap it is taken up by what?
Postsynaptic receptor sites
I increase positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire & pass on an electrical impulse. What am I?
Excitation
Inhibitory neurotransmitters are generally responsible for what effects on the body?
Calming the mind, inducing sleep, filtering out unnecessary excitatory signals.
Does serotonin cause an excitatory or inhibitory effect?
Inhibitory
I increase positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire & pass on an electrical impulse. What am I?
Excitation
Does adrenaline cause an excitatory or inhibitory effect?
Excitatory
Nerve cells can receive both excitatory or inhibitory signals at the same time. True or false?
True
What determines whether or not a cell fires?
SUMMATION - if excitation outweighs inhibitory the cell will fire, if inhibitory outweighs excitatory it will not fire.
The likelihood of the cell firing is determined by adding up the excitatory and the inhibitory synaptic input.
The net sum of this calculation (summation) determines whether or not the cell fires.
What is meant by summation?
The net sum of excitatory and the inhibitory synaptic inputs.
Terminal buttons send impulses to the next neuron in the chain across the…
synapse
Excitation makes it more likely a neighboring neuron will fire. True or false?
True
SSRIs slow down the reabsorption of serotonin. True or false?
False - they speed up the reabsorption of serotonin
Dopamine and serotonin are types of what?
Neurotransmitters
