Biopsychology Exam 2 Terms

Action Potential

A rapid change in membrane potential that occurs when a neuron sends an electrical signal down its axon.

EPSP and IPSP

EPSP (excitatory postsynaptic potential) increases the likelihood of a neuron firing, while IPSP (inhibitory postsynaptic potential) decreases it.

Exocytosis

The process by which neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A protein that moves sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the resting membrane potential.

Refractory Period

The period of time following an action potential when a neuron is less likely to fire another action potential.

Golgi Stain

A histological stain that labels a small number of neurons in their entirety, allowing for examination of their structure.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

An imaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; responsible for overseeing animal research to ensure ethical treatment.

Monoamine Neurotransmitters

A group of neurotransmitters that includes dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, involved in regulating mood and behavior.

Drug Tolerance

A condition in which a person's response to a drug decreases over time, requiring a higher dose to achieve the same effect.

Antagonist

A substance that binds to a receptor and blocks or dampens the biological response.

Agonist

A substance that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.

Evoked Potential

A measured response in the brain following stimulation, reflecting neural activity related to perception or motor actions.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances while allowing essential nutrients to pass through.

Cross-Tolerance

A phenomenon where tolerance to the effects of one drug can lead to tolerance of another drug due to similar effects.

Microdialysis

A technique used to measure the concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain interstitial fluid.

Sensitization

An increased response to a drug following repeated exposure, which can shift the dose-response curve.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

An imaging technique that uses radioactive substances to visualize and measure metabolic processes in the body.

Electrical Synapse

A type of synapse where electrical signals pass directly from one neuron to another through gap junctions.

Inbred Mouse

A genetically homogeneous mouse strain used in research to control genetic variables.

Knockout Mouse

A genetically modified mouse in which a specific gene has been disrupted to study the gene's effects.

Transgenic Mouse

A mouse that has been genetically modified to carry genes from another species, used to study gene function.

Dose-Response Curve

A graph that shows the relationship between the dose of a drug and its pharmacological effect.