Ap Psych *neural firing vocab* unti 3

Resting potential

The baseline electrical state of an inactive neuron (not firing)

Action potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down the neuron

Threshold

The minimum level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

All or nothing response

A neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all

Refractory period

A brief pausing period after firing durning which the neuron cannot fire again

Polarization -resting state

At rest but ready to fire , fluid inside (- change), fluid outside (+change)

Depolarization - action potential

Getting more positive, firing, switches from - inside and +outside to +inside and -outside, creates the action potential.

Repolarization

Resetting, refactory period, cannot fire, returns to resting state.

Excitatory

Pushed the neuron closer to its threshold, increasing the likelihood of an action potential

Inhibitory

Pushes the neuron deeper into a resting state decreasing the likelihood of firing

Agonists

Mimic the neurotransmitter (enhance neurotransmitter effects)

Antagonists

Block a receptor site (stops neurotransmitter effects), prevents the effect neurotransmitter.