Module 9: Bio. Psych And Neurotransmittion Flashcards
(25 cards)
Phrenology
Studying the bumps on the skull to reveal underlying brain size, mental abilities, and character traits
Neurons
Cells which receive, transfer, and process information allowing your brain to control the body
Dendrite
The neurons branching extensions that receive and integrate messages
Axon
An single extension of the neuron cell body that passes messaged through its own terminal branches to other neurons, muscles, or glands
Myelin Sheath
A layer of fatty tissue that insulated the axon and speeds up their impulses
(A lack of which secant result in multiple sclerosis- loss of muscle control due to lack of neuron communication)
Glial Cells
Provide nutrition to the Neurons and play a role learning, thinking, and memory
The action potential
The brief neural impulse, the “message”
Thresholds
Minimum amount of neurotransmitters needed in the synapse to start the reaction
Resting potential
The overall negative charge inside the neuron
Refractory period
After the neurons fire, subsequent action potentials can’t occur until the axon return sit a resting state (regular negative state) and that amount of necessary time is the refractory period
All or none response
Neurons either fire or they don’t, there is no spectrum
Synapse
The junction between the end of one axon and the dendrite branches of another receiving neuron
Synaptic Gap
The tiny gap between the Axon of one neuron and the receiving dendrite of the second neuron. Neurotransmitters pass this gap
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps and bind to receptor sites in the receiving neuron, influencing whether that neuron will generate its own actions potential
Reuptake
After neurotransmitters flood the receiving terminal, releasing ions to possibly fire the neuron, the excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the sending neuron
Mood for enhancing drugs
They work by blocking the reuptake sites. Excess neurotransmitters now flood the synapse and can impact ones mood.
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Enables muscle action, learning, and memory
Thus, a deterioration of ACh leads to memory loss- AKA Alzheimer’s
Dopamine
Influenced movement, learning, attention span, and emotion
Oversupply- schizophrenia
Under supply- Parkinson’s disease (tremors and immobility)
Serotonin
Mood, hunger, sleep, arousal
Under supply - depression
Norepinephrine
Alertness, arousal
Under supply- depression
GABA
Inhibitory neurotransmitter (stops messages from passing) Under supply- seizures, tremors, insomnia
Glutamate
Excitatory Neurotransmitter involved in memory
Oversupply can overstimulate the brain and lead to migraines
Endorphins
Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain and pleasure
Oversupply (opioids) can suppress the body’s natural endorphin supply
Agonist Molecules (drugs)
Increases the neurotransmitters’ action. Some increase production of neurotransmitters, some prevent reuptake, while others mimic the neurotransmitters and bind to receptor sites
