Biological Psychology Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the biological psychology lecture.

Biological Psychology

The study of the biological bases of behavior and mental processes.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Neurons

Cells that send and receive information in the nervous system.

Glia

Supporting cells in the nervous system that aid in the maintenance and function of neurons.

Action Potential

An electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical signaling agents released from presynaptic terminal buttons that acts on the post synaptic cell by activating ion channels on the post synaptic spine by binding to receptor sites

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Hippocampus

A brain structure vital for the formation of new memories.

Amygdala

A structure in the brain involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain associated with higher brain functions, including thought and action.

Limbic System

A set of structures in the brain that deal with emotions and memory.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain involved in executive functions like decision making and planning.

Pharmacology

The study of drugs and their effects on the body.

Psychopharmacology

The study of how drugs affect mood and behavior.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

A type of antidepressant that increases serotonin levels in the brain by blocking its reuptake.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood.

Neural Communication

The process by which neurons transmit signals to each other via electrical and chemical signals.

Dendrites

Branching structures of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Frontal Dysfunction

Impairments in the functions of the frontal lobe which can affect behavior and emotional regulation.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain involved in coordination and balance.

Executive Functions

Higher level cognitive processes involving planning, decision-making, and impulse control.

Axon

A process that extends away from the soma and carries an important signal called the action potential to another neuron

Terminal Button

The part at the end of an axon that form synapses with postsynaptic dendrite, axon, or soma.

Soma

cell body

spines

protrusions on the dendrite of a neuron that form synapses with terminal buttons of the presynaptic axon

synaptic gap/cleft

small space (5nm) between presynaptic terminal button and post synaptic dendritic spine, axon, or soma.

synaptic vesticles

groups of neurotransmitters packaged together in the terminal button

Resting Membrane Potential

The voltage inside the cell relative to the voltage outside the cell while the cell is at rest (approx -70 mV)

Equilibrium Potential

Membrane potential where the force of diffusion is equal and opposite to the force of electrostatic pressure voltage at which no ions flow

Anions (A^-)

Highly concentrated inside the cell, contribute to negative charge of resting membrane potential. Diffusion and Electrostatic pressure have no effect, impermeable to the cell membrane

Potassium (K⁺)

Cell membrane highly permeable to this ion at rest. remains in high concentrations inside the cell. Diffusion pushes this ion outside of the cell b/c of high concentration, and Electrostatic pressure pushes it inside the cell b/c it is attracted to the negative charge inside the cell

Chloride (Cl^-)

Cell membrane highly permeable to this ion at rest, remains in high concentrations outside the cell. Diffusion pushes this ion inside the cell b/c of high concentration outside the cell, but electrostatic pressure pushes this ion out b/c it is attracted to the positive charge outside the cell

Sodium (Na⁺)

Cell membrane is not very permeable to this Ion at rest. diffusion and electrostatic pressure push this ion inside the cell, however it cannot permeate the cell membrane. This ion is brought out of the cell using the neurons energy (ATP) with sodium-potassium pumps. these pumps exchange 3Na⁺ Ions for 2 K⁺ Ions

Diffusion

the force on molecules to move from areas of high concentration to low concentration

Electrostatic pressure

the force on two ions of similar charge to repel each other, and two ions of opposite charge to attract each other

Threshold of Excitation

around -50 mV, This is the membrane potential the neuron must reach to initiate action potential

Depolarizing

more positive

Hyperpolarizing

more negative

Excitatory post synaptic potential (epsp)

a depolarizing current that causes the membrane potential to become more positive and closer to the threshold of excitation

inhibitory post synaptic response

a hyperpolarizing current that causes the membrane potential to become more negative and further away from the threshold of exitation

100 mV

The change in voltage during Action Potential (-70mV to +40 mV)

Ionotropic receptor

Ion channel that opens to allow ions to permeate the cell membrane under specific conditions such as the presence of a neurotransmitter or a specific membrane potential

Saltatory conduction

action potential degrades a little under myelin sheath, but at next node of Ranvier it is still large enough to trigger a new action potential. “jumping from node to node”

Agonist

a drug that increases/enhances a neurotransmitters effect

antagonist

a drug that blocks a neurotransmitters effect

pharmacokinetics

how the body handles the drug. this includes action of a drug through the body, and ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion)

ADME

absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion

Metabolic Tolerance

The type of tolerance that exists in the liver. Tolerance is when a user requires more of a drug over a period of time to get the same effect.

Enzyme induction

when drugs cause an increase in production of enzymes in the liver. This results in the liver being broken down more quickly and results in liver damage like fatty liver or cirrhosis. (example, alcohol)