lesson 2 Flashcards
biopsychology
explores the biological mechanisms that underlie behaviour
- genetics: how genes affect physiological and psychological traits
- structure and function of nervous system
- nervous system interaction with endocrine system
genetic variation
- contributes to species’ adaptation to environment
neuron structure
- semipermeable to small molecules and uncharged molecules
- impermeable to large und charged molecules
- signal is received by dendrites, sends signal down the axon
synapse
space between terminal button of one neuron and dendrite of another neuron
- synaptic vesicle: contains about 10.000 neurotransmitter molecules
action potential
- neurotransmitter attach to receptors on dendrites
- depolarization: membrane potential becomes less negative -> more likely for excitation
- hyperpolarization: membrane becomes more negative -> more likely for inhibition
- treshold of excitation: level of charge in membrane that causes the neurone to become active
- action potential: electrical signal
-> all or none principle
-> ion channels open: Na+ rush into the cell -> depolarization
resting potential
Na+ highly concentrated outside
K+ more inside the cytoplasm
Cl- more outside
reuptake
after action potential, excess neurotransmitters either drift away, are broken down or are reabsorbed
- reuptake involves neurotransmitters moving from synaps back into the axon terminal
neurotransmitters
chemical messenger of nervous system
- different neurons release different types with different effects
- biological perspective: psychological disorders are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems
acetylcholine
beta-endorphin
dopamin
norepinephrine
serotonin
acetylcholine: muscle action and memory
beta-endorphin: pain and pleasure
dopamine: mood,sleep and learning
norepi: heart, intestines, alertness
serotonin: mood and sleep
psychotropic medication
agonist and antagonist
psychotropic medication: drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
agonist: drugs that mimic or strengthen the effects of a neurotransmitter
antagonist: drug that block or impedes the normal activity of neurotransmitter
peripheral nervous system
- somatic nervous system: relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
- autonomic nervous system: controls internal organs and glands and can be divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic
autonomic NS
- sympathetic: stress-related activites and functions
-> fight or flight - parasympathetic: routine, day to day operations of body under relaxed conditions
-> rest and restore response - para- and sympathetic NS complement each other to maintain homeostasis (state of equilibrium)
brain
- billions of interconnected neurons and glia
- bilateral
- distinct lobes, interacting with each other
- 3 main categories: forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain
spinal cord
- delivers messages from and to the brain
- own system of reflexes
- top merges with brain stem, bottom end just below the ribs
- 30 segments, each connected to specific parts of the body through PNS
- sensory nerves bring messages in and up to the brain, motor nerves send messages to the muscles and organs
- automatic reflexes allow motor commands to be initiated without sending signals from sensory nerves to the brain first -> quick reactions
lateralization
concept that each hemisphere is associated with specialised functions
- left hemisphere: controls right side of body
- right hemisphere: controls left side of the body
