Chapter 3 - Biological Psychology Flashcards
3 steps of Neurotransmission
- Release NT
- Binding of NT
- Stopping NT activity
Action potential
Electrical impulse that travels down the axon, triggering the release of neurotransmitters
Amygdala
-[Think “almond” cyanide=fear] -Fear/fear conditioning -Damage: inability to recognize fearful expressions
Axon
Portion of neuron that sends signals. Long extension leading away from soma -Covered with myelin sheath
Axon Hillock
Last site on soma where synaptic inputs are summed before going down axon
Axon Terminal
Also terminal button. Knob at the end of the axon. Contains/releases synaptic vessicles filled with neurotransmitters.
Absolute Refractory Period
Time when another action potential is impossible -Limits firing rate -AP propagates only in one direction
Dendrites
Extensions that receive information from neighbouring neurons
Excitatory or Inhibitory action of NT depends on…
where and how much is released
Name the four lobes of the cortex
Lobes:
- Frontal
- Parietal
- Temporal
- Occipital
Frontal Lobe
Executive functioning
Complex thoughts and process
Motor function
Language
Memory
Broca’s area on left side; important for language;damage causes brocas aphasia or speechlessness)
6 steps of action potential.
- Threshold of excitation; Na+ begins to enters cell; voltage spikes 2. K+ begins to leave cell 3. Na+ channels become refractory; no more Na+ enters cell. 4. K+ continues to leave cell; voltage drops to resting level. 5. K+ channels close; Na+ channels reset 6. Voltage is below resting from extra K+; K+ diffuses away; voltage rises slightly to resting potential
Glial cell
cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood–brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory
Hippocampus
-[Think “hungry hippos” gathering memories in space] -Memory formation, especially spacial -Contributes to fear conditioning (with Amyg. and PFC)
Hypothalamus
-Master regulator of temperature, hunger, thirst, etc -Controls Pituitary gland (master gland) -Controls Oxytocin: love hormone, milk, trust, dilate cervix -Controls Vasoppressin: regulates water retention by kidneys
Inside and Outside Neuron in Resting Potential
Outside: Na+
Inside: K+ and negative protein
Left Hemisphere Specialization
Language
Logic
Coordinate complex movements
Brocca’s Area: damage; Aphasia/Speech Disorder
Math
Myelin Sheath
Glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron’s signal
Myelinating glial cells
Schwann cells (PNS)
Oligodendrocytes (CNS)
Define: Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps in myelination on axon where ion flow occurs to regenerate and speed up signal.
“Saltatory conduction”
Occipital Lobe
-Associated with vision / visual cortex
Occipital lobe injury: -Blindness -Hallucinations
Parietal Lobe
touch information.
Involved in coordinating sensory information Perception of space, and numbers.
Helps track an objects location, shapers, and orientation
Injuries/stroke to parietal lobe
Left: Acalculia (difficulty with numbers and math) -Right: Contralateral neglect (ignore opposite side of body)
Presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons
Presynaptic is sending neuron
Postsynaptic is receiving neuron
Regarding threshold, intensity in the nervous system overall is communicated by…
the RATE of firing and NUMBER of neurons firing.
