Lecture 3 - Neural and Hormonal Systems Flashcards
Why do psychologist study the brain
Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be traced to electrical signals traveling through the brain and the body.
How does the brain work
Nervous system and communication system
Nervous system
Vast network of wiring and circuit boards
Communication system
Made up of neurons
what is the nervous system made of
nervous system cells, neurons, dendrites, cell body, axon, glial cells
Neuron
Specialized cell that transmits neural messages to other neurons, glands, and muscles
Dendrites
Receives neural messages from other neurons
Cell body
A.k.a. the Soma and it houses DNA
axon
thin tube that transmits message
glial cells
A.k.a. glia and it acts as glue
it provides structure for neurons, communicates with each other, response to an release neurotransmitters, important in learning and memory
myelin sheath
specialized cells that are wrapped around the axon to help transmit message
Action potential
electrochemical impulses that travels from the cell body down to the end of the axon
Threshold
Level of electric charge needed to stimulate action potential
All or none response
Once the electric charge of the neuron reaches a certain threshold, it fires an action potential
Synapse
junction between two neurons
How are impulse is transmitted across the synapse
Via neurotransmitters
reuptake
sending neuron reabsorbs excess neurotransmitters
Inhibitory signals
Decreased likelihood that a neuron will fire
ExcitatorySignals
Increased likelihood the neuron will fire
Neurotransmitters
Chemical signal between neurons
Acetylcholine
Affects neurons involved in muscle action, learning, memory
Endorphins
Reduce pain and promote pleasure
what is Dopamine and what is the result of having too much?
affect neurons involved in voluntary movement, reward, learning, memory
schizophrenia
Serotonin
Affects neurons involved in sleep, appetite, mood
If a person has depression do they have high or low levels of serotonin?
Low levels
what is GABA and what is the result of having too little?
Inhibitory - calms
anxiety builds
epinephrine and norepinephrine
aka adrenaline and noradrenaline
Involved in stress response
agonists
Bind to receptors
Antagonists
Block receptors
