Chapter 2 Flashcards
biological psychology
studies relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems
also called biopsychology and psychobiology
neuroscience
study of the nervous systems especially the brain
Components on neuron
neuron dendrite axon cell body glial cells myelin sheath
neuron
specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form
nerve cell
dendrite
multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron’s cell body and receives information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells
axon
long fluid filled tube that carries a neuron’s message to other body areas
cell body
processes nutrients and provides energy for the neuron to function
contains the cell’s nucleus
also called the soma
glial cells
support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes
myelin sheath
a white fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed
Communication within neuron
resting potential stimulus threshold ion membrane action potential refractory period
resting potential
state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its messages if it receives enough stimulation
action potential
a brief electrical impulse by which information is transmitted along the axon of a neuron
stimulus threshold
the minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron
all or none law
principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or a neuron is not sufficiently stimulated and an action potential does occur
communication between neurons
known as synapse
electrical & chemical
1. action potential travels along axon of sending neuron
2. action potential triggers release of neurotransmitters by synaptic vesicles
3. neurotransmitters cross synaptic gap and bind to the correctly shaped receptor sites on postsynaptic neuron
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron
excitatory messages
increases likelihood that the postsynoptic neuron will activate and generate an action potential
inhibitory messages
decreases likelihood that the postsynoptic neuron will activate
neurotransmitter and effect
- acetylcholine- causes muscles to contract, learning, memory; Alzheimer’s disease
- dopamine- movement, thought process, rewarding satisfaction; Parkinson’s disease, Schizophrenia, drug addiction
- serotonin- emotional states, sleep, sensory perception; depression
- norepinephrine- physical arousal, learning, memory, regulation of sleep; depression & stress
- GABA- inhibition of brain activity; anxiety disorders ADD or ADHD
- endorphins- chemical responding to stress or trauma, pain perception, positive emotions; opiate addiction
“runners high”
type of endorphin
manage stress
only feel good bc body is addicted
how drugs affect synaptic transmission
some drugs inc or dec the amount of neurotransmitters released by neuron
may also affect length of time the neurotransmitter remains in the synaptic gap
can block reputake of neurotransmitter by the sending neuron
two parts of nervous sytem
central & peripheral nervous system
central nervous system
includes spinal cord and brain cerebral fluids protects it center of our thoughts interpreter of our environment origin of control over body movement
peripheral nervous system
responsible for keeping body functioning
two parts- somatic & autonomic nervous system
