Physiological Psychology: Neural Transmission Flashcards
Neural Conduction
The electrical process within the neuron (between the dendrites, cell body and axon)
Neural Transmission
The chemical process between neurons. (on synapses)
Resting Potential
A slight (negative) charge stored inside the neuron’s cell membrane just waiting to be transformed into a nerve impulse.
Membrane Potential
The cell membrane separates the negative charge from the positive charge within a neuron.
Semipermeable
It is a partial barrier that allows some substance to pass through but blocks others.
Ions
A small electrically charged particle
Polarized
When charged particles are separated resulting in a net negative charge inside the neuron. Thus the resting stage is polarized
Sodium-Potassium Pump
An example of the resting potential, where a cell membrane must maintain the resting potential by “pumping” positively charged sodium back outside and keep negatively charged potassium inside.
Stages of Action Potential
- Resting Potential
- Depolarization
- Action Potential Spike
- Hyperpolarization
Depolarization
The second stage in the action potential where a stimulus has been significant enough to cause the member’s potential to increase to the threshold potential. (Firing of the neurons)
Action Potential Spike
The third stage in the action potential where the membrane isn’t able to stop the positive ions entering the cell. The membrane’s charge suddenly becomes positive and produces a rapid electrical pulse.
Repolarized
During the third stage in the action potential, the membrane will push all of the positive ions back out. The membrane will then be its original negative state.
Hyperpolarization
The fourth and final stage in the action potential where the repolarization happens so quickly that the membrane briefly overshoots its original negative charge.
All-or-Nothing Law
The idea that if the action potential reaches its critical threshold, it will fire every time.
Axon Hillock
The small elevation on a neuron where the axon meets the cell body. It is where the graded potential of the soma becomes the all-or-nothing potential of the axon.
Graded Potential
The process by which the dendrites and soma receive input.
Myelin
The cover of the axon that insulates and protects it from conduction
Saltatory Conduction
The conduction along a myelinated axon.
Nodes of Ranvier
The gaps in the myelin sheath and where the depolarization occurs. When one action potential begins in one node, it initiate a new action potential in the next node.
Full Process of Neural Transmission
- Dendrite receives input
- Processes it in the Soma
- Graded Potential becomes Action Potential
- Resting Potential initiates Depolarization through the Nodes of Ranvier
- Builds up electrical energy and triggers Neurotransmitters through the Terminal Buttons
Synapse
The gap between a dendrite and a terminal button. aka Synaptic Cleft
Presynaptic Membrane
The membrane that covers the terminal button
Vesicles
Tiny sacs in the Terminal Button that contain neurotransmitters
Postsynaptic Membrane
The membrane that covers the dendrites
3 Possibilities for Neurotransmitters
- They can attach themselves to the receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane
- They can remain in the synapse (they are destroyed)
- They can be drawn back into the vesicles of the terminal button (Reuptake)
Binding
The process in which the neurotransmitter fits and attaches itself to the receptor site and communication between nerve cells occurs
Synaptic Transmission and Medicine
It is where certain drug act to change behavior. Certain neurotransmitters are linked to different moods/ behaviors.
Postsynaptic Potential
The tiny electrical charge that is produced when a neurotransmitter attaches to a receptor site.
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)
When the postsynaptic potential makes it likely for the neurons to fire
Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)
When the postsynaptic potential makes it unlikely for the neurons to fire.
Eric Kandel
Studied the simple neural network of sea snails. With habituation, specific changes in synaptic transmission underlie change in behavior.
