Psychology 111- Chapter 3 Flashcards
Neurons
- cells in nervous system that communicate with each other
- basis for human behavior and knowledge
- help direct actions our body does and processing information
Dendrites
“fingers” reaching out trying to get info
Cell Body/Soma
the info dendrites collect is moved here, determines how to move forward with that information (sometimes the info stops here)
Axon and Myelin Sheath
Sends info down this, long part, sends info from front to back
- myelin sheath= covers axon, speeds up info transmission
Terminal Buttons
where info is released so other neurons can pick up, very end of neuron
Synapse
where info is released to, very small space between the neurons, dendrites pick up from here
Glial Cells
- support neurons, help them do their job
- help create skeletal system for neurons
- provide nourishment, helps make myelin, repairs damage, removes waste, helps create blood-brain barrier
Sensory Neurons
connect and transmit sense info, transmits that info to the brain
Afferent
carries messages inward (to the brain)
motor neurons
help with muscle movement, send info from brain outward (to muscles)
Mirror Neurons
have motor and sensory neurons
- when we perceive movement/emotion in other people, we put that emotion onto ourselves (empathy)
Interneurons
connecting neurons (one neuron to another neurons)
- most neurons
Glial neurons
help with all other types of neurons
Electrical v. chemical transmission
1) info along a neuron
2) info between neurons
action potential
occurs along axon, happens when info is being transmitted down an axon (-70 mV to +40 mV), can jump over where the myelin is located, K and Na Ions involved
Refractory Period *Absolute vs. Relative)
when neuron is not likely to fire or will not fire
Absolute: neuron will not fire, no matter what (beg of refrac.)
Relative: unlikely to fire but can if there is a strong stimulus
Neurotransmitter
chemicals that terminal button release into the synapse
Agonist vs. antagonist
1) makes neurotransmitters more effective
2) makes them less effective
Dopamine
pleasurable neurotransmitter, often release with award, helps control voluntary movement
- Parkinson’s disease: too little dopamine
- schizophrenia- too much
serotonin
associated with depression, controls negative emotionality, helps with sleep. ability to focus
- contributor to anxiety, ADHD, anorexia
Epinephrine
adrenaline, energized mental state
Norepinephrine
mental and physical arousal (alertness/focus), more focused than epinephrine
- cocaine and amphetamine are agonists
- PTSD= spike in norepinephrine
- depression= not enough
endorphins
body’s pain killers, responds similarly to morphine
- boosts mood, dulls pain
GABA
primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, responsible for telling cell body of next neuron to stop sending info along
- dysfunction associated with epilepsy
- drugs classifies as depressants are often GABA agonists
- Valium (and other anti-anxiety drugs)-> GABA antagonist
Glutamate
primary excitatory neurotransmitter, tells cell body to fire again
acetylcholine
first neurotransmitter to be discovered, helps with voluntary muscle movements, memory and learning
- dysfunction is associated with Alzheimer’s and other memory disorders
Law of Forward Condition
info goes from dendrites to terminal button and never in opposite direction
all or none principle
info always travels all along axon, doesn’t stop in the middle
excitatory vs inhibitory
if excitatory neurotransmitters win, neuron fires, if inhibitory wins, it doesn’t
enzymatic degradation
enzyme takes up some of neurotransmitters left in synapse and breaks tham down
reuptake
neuron that released neurotransmitters into synapse is going to take back some that they released
synaptic pruning
brain gets rid of synapses that are no longer useful
(As we’re learning something new, more synapses are created, but as the brain gets more efficient at processing that info, those synapses aren’t useful anymore- makes things more efficient)