Psychobiology Flashcards
Describe the sensory neurone
Activated by sensory input. They are bipolar or unipolar. Sends info form periphery (afferent)
Describe the two different PNS systems
Somatic: controlled movement via skeletal muscles. Controls the reflex arc.
Automatic:
Parasympathetic: calms us down
Sympathetic: speeds us up.
What does anterior/rostal refer to?
Front of brain
What does caudal/prosterior refer to?
Back of brain
What does dorsal/superior refer to?
Top of brain
What does ventral/inferior refer to?
Bottom of brain
What does gyrus refer to?
Ridges on cerebral cortex
What does sulcus refer to?
Depression in cerebral cortex
What does fissure refer to?
Deep grooves in cerebral cortex
What are the main regions and their functions in the hindbrain?
Medulla: cranial nerve input and automatic centre for vital functions.
Pons: cranial nerve integration and respiration
Cerebellum: fine motor control, cognitive functioning, coordination of movement.
What are the regions and their functions in the midbrain?
Tectum:
1. Superior Colliculus: visual processing and control eye movements
2. Inferior Colliculus: auditory processing
Tegmentum: unconscious processes, movement
What are the regions and their functions in the forebrain?
Hypothalamus: homeostasis Thalamus: sensory processing Amygdala: emotion Hippocampus: episodic memories Cerebral cortex: frontal lobe (executive functioning and impulse control), parietal lobe (somatosensory interpretation), occipital lobe (visual processing), temporal (PVC)
What are the characteristics of an electrical synapse?
Gap junctions, close together, less common
What are the characteristics of a chemical synapse?
Slower, complex connections, common
What is the process of synaptic communication?
Nerve impulse arrives at the axon terminal
Calcium channels open and ions enter cell
Increase in calcium activates synaptic vesicles
Neurotransmitters bind to receptors in adjacent neurone
Ion channels open
Neurotransmitter returns to OG neurone.
What are the three criteria for a neurotransmitter?
Substance must be present in pre-synaptic neurone
Substance released due to depolarisation and must be calcium dependant
Specific receptors must be present in post-synaptic cell.
What is neuromodulation?
When a neurotransmitter is not returned to the presynaptic cell and instead travels to modulate another neurone. Monoamines, cholinergic systems and neuropeptides act as modulators.
What are the two types of receptors?
Ionotropic: ligand-gates ion channels. Rapid effect to generate IPSPs and EPSPs.
Metabotropic: g-protein coupled receptors. Slow acting, activates an enzyme cascade and can alter function of a cell.
Describe two examples of amino acid transmitters
Glutamate: excitatory neurotransmitter. 3 types; Kainate, AMPA (initiates EPSPs) and NMDA (neuroplasticity and learning)
GABA: primary inhibitory neurotransmitter
Describe an example of a cholingeric neurotransmitter
Acteylcholine: transmission system for PNS. Associated with cognitive functioning in CNS. Used to treat side effects of Alzheimers.
Describe two examples of monoamine neuroreceptors
Catecholamine:
1. Dopamine: associated with reward and movement. Used to treat Parkinsons.
2. Epinepherine/adrenaline: sympathetic NS activation. Concentration and stress in fight/flight.
Serotonin: associated with depressive disorders, appetite, sleep, cognitive functions.
Describe examples of neuropeptides
Endorphins: block pain and increase pleasure
Oxytocin: pair bonding and linked to dopamine reward system.
Neuropeptide Y: drives appetite
Angiotensin II: maintaining blood pressure, driver of thirst
Corticotrophin- releasing factor (CRF): involved in stress response.
What is a pharmacodynamic?
Physiological effects of drugs on the body
What is a pharmacokinetic?
Effects of the body on drugs
What is the main pharmacological treatment for MDD?
SSRI - inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT only.
What is the function of antipsychotics?
Treat the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Typical antipsychotic is a D2 receptor antagonist which prevents the effects of dopamine.
Describe the two types of communication systems in the body
Neural communication: sent out to specific cells
Endocrine: signal is sent out wide, by only detected by specific cells.
What are the three general principles of hormones?
Only affect cells that have a specific receptor protein
Levels vary rhythmically throughout the day
Have multiple effects on different cells and behaviours.
Describe the three types of hormones
Peptides: composed of many amino acids.
Steroids: cholesterol derived
Amines: single amino acids. Converts by enzymes into hormones.
