Physiological Psychology 1

Physiological Psychology

The study of biological basis of behaviors, focusing on the relationship between the nervous system and behavior.

Central Nervous System

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Includes nerves and sensory organs that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Neurons

Cells that process and transmit information in the nervous system.

Glial Cells

Support, nourish, and protect neurons, playing a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and facilitating communication.

Bipolar Neurons

Neurons with two extensions; one axon and one dendrite, crucial for integrating information in sensory pathways.

Multipolar Neurons

The most common type of neuron with multiple dendrites and a single axon for integrating large amounts of information.

Unipolar Neurons

Neurons with a single elongated process that bifurcates into a branch acting as a dendrite and one as an axon.

Pseudounipolar Neurons

Neurons with a single process that splits; typically found in the peripheral nervous system.

Anaxonic Neurons

Interneurons characterized by lack of axons, integrating information locally within the central nervous system.

Afferent Neurons

Sensory neurons that bring information from sensory organs to the central nervous system.

Interneurons

Receive information from sensory neurons and send it to motor neurons; facilitate communication between sensory and motor neurons.

Efferent Neurons

Motor neurons that carry information away from the central nervous system to muscles and control movement.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of neurons that receive messages from other neurons.

Axon

A long projection of a neuron transmitting electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Synaptic Terminals

Endpoints of the axon where neurotransmitters are released to communicate with other neurons.

Myelin

A rich membrane covering axons that facilitates faster transmission of electrical impulses.

Astrocytes

The most abundant glial cells in the CNS, providing support and nourishment to neurons.

Microglia

Primary immune cells of the CNS, responsible for removing waste material and infectious agents.

Resting Membrane Potential

The state of a neuron when not receiving or sending messages, typically measured at -70 mV.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A mechanism that maintains resting membrane potential by transporting sodium out and potassium into the neuron.

Action Potential

A change in membrane potential indicating that a neuron has fired, facilitated by the permeability of the neuronal membrane.

Relative Permeability

The selective ability of a membrane to allow certain ions to pass through; at rest, the membrane is more permeable to potassium ions than sodium ions.

Leak Channels vs Voltage-Gated Channels

Leak channels are always open, allowing ions to diffuse, while voltage-gated channels open in response to electrical changes in the membrane potential.

Force of Diffusion

The movement of ions from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration, contributing to the ion distribution across the neuronal membrane.

Electrostatic Pressure

The force that drives ions of different charges to attract each other and ions of the same charge to repel each other, influencing ion movement across the membrane.

Sodium-Potassium Exchange

The exchange mechanism in neurons where 3 sodium ions are pumped out for every 2 potassium ions pumped in, crucial for maintaining ion gradients and resting potential.

Hyperpolarization

A change in membrane potential that makes the inside of the neuron more negative, decreasing the likelihood of an action potential occurring.

Depolarization

A change in membrane potential that makes the inside of the neuron more positive, increasing the likelihood of an action potential firing.