AP Psych Unit 1 - Neurotransmitters & Hormones

Nervous System

a complex communication network throughout the brain and body, need it to be coordinated

Neurons

an individual nerve cell that communicates with one another and sends messages throughout brain and body

-not connected

-100+ Billion Neuorns

Nerves

bundles of many neurons, outside the brain

Parts of a Neuron

cell body, dendrites, axon, myelin sheath

Cell body

produces the energy that fuels the communication

Dendrites

receive messages and transmits that message TO the cell body

Axon

carries messages AWAY from the cell body

Myelin Sheath

fatty covering of the Axon, affects the speed of the communication/transmission of the message

-when you grow, sheath thickens = moves message quicker

Neural Transmission

the transmission of a message from one end of the neuron to the other end of the same neuron

-begins w/ Dendrites and ends at axon

All or None principle

Once an action potential occurs, the transmission of the message will continue without interruption and with the same intensity

Synaptic Transmission

the transmission of a message from one neuron to the next neuron

-top of axon of one neuron to the dendrite of the next

Synapse (synaptic gap)

space between neurons

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substances produced by the axon that send messages between neurons

-stored in the tips of the axon

Synaptic vessels

store neurotransmitters

Selected Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine

Dopamine

Norepinephrine

Serotonin

Glutamate

Acetylcholine

Contracts body's large muscle groups and regulates wakefulness

(Neurotransmitter)

Dopamine

Control of voluntary muscle movement, pleasure, and reward system (Neurotransmitter)

Seeotonin

Appetite, anxiety, and depression (Neurotransmitter)

Norepinephrine

Attention to important events (Neurotransmitter)

Gluatmate

Keeps the brain and neural structure healthy overtime, plays role in memory and thought processing (Neurotransmitter)

Divisions of the Nervous System

1. central nervous system

2. peripheral nervous system

Central Nervous System

consists of the brain and spinal cord

Afferent neurons

Body sends message to the CNS

Efferent neurons

CNS sends message to body

Spinal cord

Link between body and brain

Spinal reflex

spinal cord can interpret messages without sending it to the brain

Peripheral Nervous System

Everything outside the brain and spinal cord

-send and receive messages to and from the CNS

Divisions of Peripheral Nervous System

somatic and autonomic

Somatic Nervous System

transmits sensory messages to/from the central nervous system (peripheral)

-SENSORY

Ex: pain

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates the body's vital functions and plays a role in emotional functioning

-AUTOMATIC functions

-Ex: heartbeat

-2 divisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic

Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

sympathetic and parasympathetic

Sympathetic nervous system

Increase vitals to deal with stress/dangers

-fight or flight

Parasympathetic nervous system

Reduce vitals after a sympathetic response

-store energy

Nervous system

CNS and PNS, PNS —> somatic and autonomic —> sympathetic and parasympathetic