Week 2

Question 1

Describe the basic structure of neurons

Answer 1

Cell body:
Nucleus
Mitochondria floating around
Outer membrane
Dendrites branching out (carry signals)

Axon - long skinny branch carrying signals away from cell body

Axon terminal - where synapse with neighbouring neurons occurs.

Question 2

Describe the electrical processes involved in transmission of information between neurons?

Answer 2

Action potential - electrical signal generated in a cell body of a neuron.
Depolarisation - neuron is ready to fire an action potential
Hyper-polarisation - neuron wont fire message. Action stops.

Question 3

Describe the chemical processes involved in transmission of information between neurons?

Answer 3

Neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) - decide which msgs are transmitted to the next neuron.
Synapse – gap between ‘terminal button’ and next neuron.
Receptor – on target neuron (like a lock and key)
Agonist (drug) will stimulate a receptor site (e.g. Morphine) Agonist (drug) will block neurotransmitters from binding to receptor sites (anti-psychotics).

Question 4

Explain how neurotransmitter Acetylcholine affects thoughts and behaviour

Answer 4

Arousal
learning
memory
movement

Question 5

Explain how neurotransmitter Serotonin affects thoughts and behaviour

Answer 5

Sleep
mood
hunger

Question 6

Explain how neurotransmitter Norepinephrine affects thoughts and behaviour

Answer 6

Activates adrenaline
arousal
fight/flight response

Question 7

Explain how neurotransmitter Dopamine affects thoughts and behaviour

Answer 7

Voluntary movements

pleasure seeking behaviour

Question 8

Explain how neurotransmitter GABA affects thoughts and behaviour

Answer 8

Sleep

Movement

Question 9

What also moderates influence from neurotransmitters?

Answer 9

learned and social behaviour.