psychology chapter 3 pt 1 Flashcards
depolarization
sodium out potassium in
increases chance of action potential
resting potential
charge of aprox -75 millivolts
membrane channels
movement of ions through ‘channels’ in cell membrane
ion
atom or molecule with unbalanced electrical charge
resulting potential
result of ‘stable’ ionic imbalance
cell membrane
surrounds neuron
axon terminal
end of axon
contains vesicles
axon
transmit signals it receives from the cell body to other neurons
electrical signal
dendrite
close contact with the neurons
receives info
cell body
structure
make neurotransmitters
activity and survival of the neuron
neurons
transmitter of information
glia
support
physical support, supply nutrients, remove waste, insulating neurons
drugs mimic neurotransmitters
benzodiazepines
synapse
connecting with other neurons
saltatory conduction
the nerve impulse jumps from node to node
nerve impulse
movement of the action potential along the length of the axon
node of ranvier
point between glial cells where the cell membrane is exposed
allows for conduction of the electrical impulse
relative refractory period
greater than normal stimulus will cause the cell to fire
action potential
no electrical charges between neurons
increases the permeability of the membrane to sodium
rapid changes in the membrane potential
absolute refractory period
no amount of stimulation will cause the cell to fire
agonist vs antagonist
mimics action of a neurotransmitter
vs
blocks the action of a neurotransmitter
neural pathways
neurotransmitters can be differentiated from one another on the basis of distribution in the brain and body
can influence a range of behaviours
