Unit 3A Flashcards
(48 cards)
Explain why psychologists are concerned with human biology
Can help with learning psychological events such as sleeping, dreaming, depression, sex. Biological activity is linked with psychological events
Branch of psychology dealing with how biology is linked with behavior
Biological psychology
How are impulses generated?
Sodium ions flow into the membrane which depolarizes the section and so on. This keeps happening until the impulse travels down the axon
Carry info from sensory receptors to the CNS
Sensory neurons
Carry outgoing info from the CNS to muscles and glands
Motor neurons
Are sensory neurons afferent or efferent?
Afferent
Are motor neurons afferent or efferent?
Efferent
Neurons in the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs
Interneuron
Receives messages and conducts impulses towards the cell body
Dendrite
Messages are passed down to other neurons, muscles, glands
Axon
The minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin.
Refractory period
A brief change in a neuron’s electrical charge.
Action potential
Speeds up the time a message passes through the axon
Myelin
Level of stimulation to trigger a neural impulse
Threshold
Triggers a neural impulse to go
Excitatory
Triggers a neural impulse to stop
Inhibitory
How do nerve cells communicate?
Neurotransmitters are released at the axon terminal; the neurotransmitters then go on to the next neuron and absorbs the excess neurotransmitters
Junction between axon terminal and the next dendrite or cell body of the next neuron
Synapse
Chemical messengers that determine whether or not it’ll generate an impulse
Neurotransmitters
A process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane.
Reuptake
How do neurotransmitters influence behavior?
There are different pathways neurotransmitters can go to affect emotions and behavior
How do drugs and chemicals affect neurotransmitters?
Drugs could prevent the brain from producing opiates. Can also slow down or block neurotransmitters
Enables muscle action, learning, memory
Acetylcholine
Natural neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and pain control
Endorphins
