CHEMISTRY OF PSYCH Flashcards
1
Q
CLASSES OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS
A
• Small molecules; peptides; gases
2
Q
• Small molecules; peptides; gases
A
CLASSES OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS
3
Q
SMALL MOLECULES
A
- Acetylcholine
- Nonrepinephrine (noradrenaline)
- Seratonin
- Dopamine
- GABA
- Glutamate
4
Q
- Acetylcholine
- Nonrepinephrine (noradrenaline)
- Seratonin
- Dopamine
- GABA
- Glutamate
A
SMALL MOLECULES
5
Q
ACETYCHOLINE
A
- a neurotransmitter used by neurons in the peripheral and central nervous systems in the control of functions
- ranging from muscle contraction (movement) and heart rate
- to digestion and memory
- neurons of parasympathetic S use it to slow heartbeat and activate digestive system
- neurons of muscles, for contractions
- In the brain, neurons that use acetylcholine (called cholinergic neurons) are common
- Necessary in the formation of memories – Alzheimer’s
6
Q
- a neurotransmitter used by neurons in the peripheral and central nervous systems in the control of functions
- ranging from muscle contraction (movement) and heart rate
- to digestion and memory
- neurons of parasympathetic S use it to slow heartbeat and activate digestive system
- neurons of muscles, for contractions
- In the brain, neurons that use acetylcholine (called cholinergic neurons) are common
- Necessary in the formation of memories – Alzheimer’s
A
ACETYCHOLINE
7
Q
NOREPINEPHRINE (noradrenaline)
A
- Occurs in both CNS and PNS
- a neurotransmitter involved in arousal;
- learning, sleep, mood regulation (depression)
- neurons of sympathetic NS use it, to prep. you for action
8
Q
- Occurs in both CNS and PNS
- a neurotransmitter involved in arousal;
- learning, sleep, mood regulation (depression)
- neurons of sympathetic NS use it, to prep. you for action
A
NOREPINEPHRINE (noradrenaline)
9
Q
SERATONIN
A
- a neurotransmitter used by cells in parts of the brain involved in the regulation of sleep, mood and eating
- most of cells that use it midline of hindbrain
- neurons’ axions send branches into forebrain
- sleep and mood (depression); appetite
- partly comes from tryptophan (from carbs)
- impairment = aggression and impulse control (impulsivity); depression; obesity
10
Q
- a neurotransmitter used by cells in parts of the brain involved in the regulation of sleep, mood and eating
- most of cells that use it midline of hindbrain
- neurons’ axions send branches into forebrain
- sleep and mood (depression); appetite
- partly comes from tryptophan (from carbs)
- impairment = aggression and impulse control (impulsivity); depression; obesity
A
SERATONIN
11
Q
DOPAMINE
A
- a neurotransmitter used in the parts of the brain involved in regulating movement and experiencing pleasure (reward)
- thus dopaminergic neurons
- impairment = Parkinson’s; schizophrenia; drug addiction
12
Q
- a neurotransmitter used in the parts of the brain involved in regulating movement and experiencing pleasure (reward)
- thus dopaminergic neurons
- impairment = Parkinson’s; schizophrenia; drug addiction
A
DOPAMINE
13
Q
GABA
A
- Gamma-amino butyric acid
- a neurotransmitter that inhibits the firing of neurons
- assist in sleep / movement
- certain drugs amplify ‘braking action’ of GABA—being drunk
- impairment = severe anxiety, Huntingdon’s, dementia. Epilepsy
14
Q
- Gamma-amino butyric acid
- a neurotransmitter that inhibits the firing of neurons
- assist in sleep / movement
- certain drugs amplify ‘braking action’ of GABA—being drunk
- impairment = severe anxiety, Huntingdon’s, dementia. Epilepsy
A
GABA
15
Q
GLUTAMATE
A
- an excitatory neurotransmitter that helps strengthen synaptic connections between neurons
- mostly in cerebral cortex & hippocampus
- root of normal development/ learning & memory
- overactivity = neuron death = oxygen cut off from neurons = stroke–brain damage
16
Q
- an excitatory neurotransmitter that helps strengthen synaptic connections between neurons
- mostly in cerebral cortex & hippocampus
- root of normal development/ learning & memory
- overactivity = neuron death = oxygen cut off from neurons = stroke–brain damage
A
GLUTAMATE
17
Q
PEPTIDES
A
- ENDORPHINS: a class of neurotransmitters that bind to opiate receptors and moderate pain
- Pseudo - neurotransmitters can come from external world (e.g. opiates)
18
Q
- ENDORPHINS: a class of neurotransmitters that bind to opiate receptors and moderate pain
- Pseudo - neurotransmitters can come from external world (e.g. opiates)
A
PEPTIDES
19
Q
GASES
A
- Nitric acid & carbon monoxide – can act as neurotransmitters
- Nitric oxide: memory
20
Q
- Nitric acid & carbon monoxide – can act as neurotransmitters
- Nitric oxide: memory
A
GASES
21
Q
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
A
- Regulates functions ranging from stress response to physical growth. Made up of glands that communicate with each other via chemicals called hormones.
- Contains cells that form organs called glands and that communicate with one another by secreting chemicals called hormones
- neurons are not the only cells that can use chemicals to communicate with one another in ways that affect behaviour and mental processes
- cells of endocrine organs (glands) secrete chemicals (here: hormones)
22
Q
- Regulates functions ranging from stress response to physical growth. Made up of glands that communicate with each other via chemicals called hormones.
- Contains cells that form organs called glands and that communicate with one another by secreting chemicals called hormones
- neurons are not the only cells that can use chemicals to communicate with one another in ways that affect behaviour and mental processes
- cells of endocrine organs (glands) secrete chemicals (here: hormones)
A
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
23
Q
GLANDS
A
• organs that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
24
Q
• organs that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
A
GLANDS
25
HORMONES
* similar to neurotransmitters – except neurotransmitters release via synapses, not directly into bloodstream
* chemicals secreted by a gland into the bloodstream, which carries them throughout the body
* will only influence cells who can receive them (like neurotransmitters)
* androgynes and oestrogen affect development of brain/body and sexual behaviour
26
* similar to neurotransmitters – except neurotransmitters release via synapses, not directly into bloodstream
* chemicals secreted by a gland into the bloodstream, which carries them throughout the body
* will only influence cells who can receive them (like neurotransmitters)
* androgynes and oestrogen affect development of brain/body and sexual behaviour
HORMONES
27
TARGET ORGAN
• organs whose cells have receptors for a hormone
28
• organs whose cells have receptors for a hormone
TARGET ORGAN
29
MAJOR GLANDS
* Pituitary
* Hypothalamus
* Thyroid
* Adrenal cortex
* Pancreas
* Adrenal medulla
* Testes
* Ovaries
30
* Pituitary
* Hypothalamus
* Thyroid
* Adrenal cortex
* Pancreas
* Adrenal medulla
* Testes
* Ovaries
MAJOR GLANDS
31
BRAIN AND HORMONES
* Brain has ultimate control over secretion of hormones
* Controls pituitary.
* Chain: Hypothalamus releases hormones – pituitary gland releases hormones – adrenal gland releases cortisol – activates cells and sympathetic S (fight/flight)
32
* Brain has ultimate control over secretion of hormones
* Controls pituitary.
* Chain: Hypothalamus releases hormones – pituitary gland releases hormones – adrenal gland releases cortisol – activates cells and sympathetic S (fight/flight)
BRAIN AND HORMONES
33
FIGHT-FLIGHT
* Brain governs it
* a physical reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system that prepares the body to fight or to run from a threatening situation
34
* Brain governs it
* a physical reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system that prepares the body to fight or to run from a threatening situation
FIGHT-FLIGHT
35
FEEDBACK SYSTEMS
* hormones provide feedback to the brain, as well as to the pituitary gland.
* Just as a furnace regulates heat, this feedback system regulates hormone secretion so as to keep it within a certain range.
* Feedback can suppress further action = negative feedback system
36
* hormones provide feedback to the brain, as well as to the pituitary gland.
* Just as a furnace regulates heat, this feedback system regulates hormone secretion so as to keep it within a certain range.
* Feedback can suppress further action = negative feedback system
FEEDBACK SYSTEMS
