PSYC 102 CHAPTER 3: Biological psychology

Biological Psychology

study of how the nervous system impacts our thoughts, emotions, and behavior

Neurons

a nerve cell specialized for communication, varing in shape, size, and chemical comp.

Cell Body

central region of the neuron also called SOMA containing the nucleus and DNA. It takes the information and passes signal to Axon

Dendrites

portion of the neuron that receives signals from sensory receptors or other neurons, they are branch-like fibers on cell body

Axon Hillock

regulates the firing of the neuron in all-or-none matter, it connects the cell body and the axon

Axon

Portion of a neuron that sends transmitters. long fiber specialized for sending messages to other neurons, between cell body and axon terminal.

Myelin Sheath

insulator wall on axon for neuron signals made of glial cells

Glial cells

Cells that form the myelin and blood-brain barrier, clean, enhance learning and memory

Nodes of Ranvier

gaps on the myelin sheath that allow electrical activity

Axon Terminal Buttons

A bulb-like structure at the end of an axon that sends signals to other sensory receptors or neurons by releasing neurotransmitters

Sensory Neurons

carry messages from sense receptors to CNS, allows touch, pain, pressure, cold, itch…

Motor Neurons

carries messages from sense receptors to CNS, allows performing movements

Interneurons

relay messages for sensory neurons to other interneurons or motor neurons

Mirror Neurons

a neuron that responds to actions that we see in others

Neuronal Transmission

allows communication between neurons via transmitters produced by sodium, calcium, potassium, and chlorine

Resting Potential

state of neuronal transmission when neuron is not stimulated or inhibited, it is polarized and has a high concentration of Cl in cell and Na outside cell

Action Potential

state of neuronal transmission when a neuron is stimulated by an electrical pulse down the axon, triggered by sodium producing electricity

Absolute Refractory Period

Time when another action potential is possible, then leads back to resting potential

Neurotransmitters

chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron

Glutamate

neurotransmitter for memory and learning, main excitatory transmitter, plays role in sleep, mood, pain. abnormal levels: epilepsy, insomnia, panic disorder, social anxiety, anxiety, ADD, depression, parkinsons

GABA

neurotransmitter for regulating anxiety and fear, main inhibitory transmitter, plays role in sleep, mood, pain, social skills. Abnormal levels: epilepsy, insomnia, panic disorder, social anxiety, anxiety, ADD, depression, parkinsons

Acetylcholine

neurotransmitter for motor neurons for voluntary movement, excitatory and inhibitory, plays a role in pain, hormones, muscle movement. Abnormal levels:alzhemiers, parkinsons, myasthenia gravis

Norepinephrine

neurotransmitter for the control of flight-fight-freeze, excitatory, plays a role in alertness, attention, mood, sleep. Abnormal levels: migraines, insomnia, panic disorder, anxiety, bipolar, depression, ADHD

Dopamine

neurotransmitter for control of motor function and rewarding experiences, excitatory and inhibitory, plays a role in behavior, learning, sleep, mood, attention, immune health, pleasurable reward. Abnormal Levels:  addiction, eating disorders, ADD, bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, parkinsons, alzheimers, huntingtons

Serotonin

neurotransmitter for regulating sleep and wakefulness, inhibitory, plays a role in mood, sleep, anxiety, smexuality, appetite. Abnormal levels: seizure, panic disorder, social anxiety, anxiety, depression, OCD

Presynaptic Neuron

action potential travels to the terminal button stimulating synaptic vessels to move neurotransmitters to cell membrane, releasing them to the synaptic cleft

Synaptic Cleft

also known as synapse, area that neurotransmitters travel on, receptor is lock, key is neurotransmitter

Postsynaptic Neuron

ion channels open, neurotransmitters bind to appropriate receptors, all that do not bind go back through the cycle