BIO - Brain & Behaviour - Neuroplasticity & Neurotransmitters

Neuron

Nerve cells; called neurons

Send electrochemical messages to the brain so that people can respond to stimuli (from environment/internal changes in body)

Neurotransmission

The process of where neurotransmitters are released (messages by neurons are sent).

Action Potential

The electrical impulse that travels along the body of the neuron.

Synapse

The gap between Neurons. Allows electrical impulse to be tansformed into a chemical message and back into an electrical impulse.

Neurotransmitter

Natural chemical messengers that transmit information from one neuron to another.

Down Neuron → Terminal buttons → Synapse → Next neuron

Inhibitroy (neurotransmitters)

Decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing by hyperpolarizing the neuron. Inhibitory neurotransmitters include GABA.

Excitatory (neurotransmitters)

Increase the likelihood of a neuron firing by depolarizing the neuron.  Excitatory neurotransmitters include acetylcholine.

→ INcrease cogniiton, behaviour

Agonist/Antagonist

Depending on the effect they have on the post-synaptic receptor sites

Agonist

A chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. All neurotransmittors are agonists

Antagonist

Drugs that block the receptor site and do not allow neurotansmission.

Exogenous

External to the system (body)

Endogenous

Internal to the system (body)

Hyperpolarization

An increase in negative charge on the inside of the neuron, inhibits people from firing an impulse

Depolarization

The process by which the membrane potential becomes less negative, facilitating the generation of an action potential

Acetylcholine

Our neurotransmitter → effect on memory