Biopsych - Unit 2

Neurons

• 100 Billion

• Cells that communicate

Structure of Neuros

Neurogenisis

growth of neuron

Glial Cells

• support friends

• provide nutrients, clean waste

• compromise mylein

Dendrites

Receive info, input to soma

Soma

• Cell Body

• Keeps cell alive

Axon

• tunnel highway

Myelin Sheath

Fatty layer / protection

Terminal

End of Neuron, releases neurotransmitters

Synpase

• Junction to other neuron

• Tiny gap

Receptors

On end of dendrites, next neuron

Neural Transmission

electrochemical communication within/between neurons

Resting potential

normal difference in electrical charge

Action Potential 

electrical signal pulse, sent through neuron

Refractory/Recovery Period

work to restore

All or None Principle

stimulus has to reach a certain threshold in order for it to fire

Axon Collateral

action potential impacts all branches equally

Saltatory Conduction

“to leap” - action potential jumps from node to node of myelinated axon

Neurotransmitters

Chemical Messengers, can excite or inhibit

ACH - Acetylcholine

• Muscle Contraction : stimulate muscle to contract

• Memory + Learning : Plays crucial role in memory + learning (Alzheimers")

• Automatic Nervous System : Regulates rest and digest functions

DOPAMINE (DA)

• Reward + Motivation: reward system

• Movement Control: regulates voluntary movement (Parkinson’s Disease)

• Mood + Emotion: emotional response, low = depression + anhedonia

NOREPINEPHRINE (NE)

• Fight or Flight : sympathetic nervous system (prepare body)

• Attention & Arousal : focus & vigilance

• Mood Regulation : Imbalances (depression + anxiety disorders)

SEROTONIN (5 - HT)

Mood Regulation:

Sleep + Wakefulness : regulates sleep cycle

Appetite + Digestion : Controls gastrointestinal 

GABA

Inhibition of neuronal activity : preventing overstimulation & calm

Anxiety Regulations : anxiety reducers, 🔽 anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures

Muscle Relaxation : Control muscles, 🔽 muscle spasm or tremors

Hind Brain

lowest set of structures (reptilian brain)

coordinates messages coming in & out of spinal cord, controls basic function of life

Cerebellum (sarah balance)

nonverbal learning, coordinates voluntary movements

Medulla

controls heartbeat and breathing ; part of brain stem

Pons

regulates sleep, respiration, swallowing, bladder, SOME senses, part of brain stem

MidBrain

• “bird” or “amphibian” brain

• sensory processing (vision and hearing)

• Motor control and reflexes

ForeBrain

• highest level of brain

• critical for complex cognitive, emotional, sensory, & motor functions

Cerebral Cortext

outermost layer

Subcortical Structures

inner structures

Gyri

folds

Sulci

grooves/gaps

Frontal Lobe

personality/decision making/impulse control

Parietal Lobe

helps process sensory info

Occipital Lobe

Vision/Visual data

Temporal Lobe

Auditory processing - through ears

• memory

Basal Ganglia

intentional movements, rewards

Limbic System

emotion, learning, and memory

Thalamus

sensory gateway, directing signals, traffic control

HYPOthalamus

regulates body function, (fight or flight)

Amygdala

Emotions

emotions

• esp. anger + stress

Hippocampus

Memory

Central Nervous System

brain, brainstem, spine

Peripheral

everything else

Automatic

involuntary & automatic commands (breathing, heart beat)

Somatic

voluntary commands (Info in+out of CNS)

Sympathetic

Fight or flight, heightening, action, arousel

Parasympathetic

Calms you down, normal, resting

Two Hemispheres

cerebral cortex, left + right

Corpus Callosum

Middle, bridge connecting halves, communicates

Left hemishpere

VERBAL PROCESSING : language, speech, reading, writing (CONTROLS RIGHT SIDE OF BODY

Right Hemisphere

NONVERBAL PROCESSING : spatial, musical, and visual (CONTROLS LEFT SIDE OF BODY)