PSYX 100 1st Edition Lecture 8 Outline of Last Lecture I Biological Psychology II The Neuron III Neural Communication IV Receiving Messages V Action Potential VI Myelin Sheath Outline of Current Lecture I The Synapse II Receiving Signals III Neural Networking IV Neurotransmitters and Behaviors V Acetylcholine VI GABA VII Dopamine VIII Serotonin IX Norepinephrine X Endorphins XI How Drugs Work XII CNS XIII The Brain Hindbrain These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute Current Lecture I II III IV V VI VII The Synapse a Terminal buttons located at the end of an axon and trigger the release of chemicals b Synaptic vesicles located in the terminal buttons and contain the neurotransmitters c Neurotransmitters are released into the synapse when vesicles fuse with the cell membrane Receiving Signals a Post synaptic potential neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites causing changes in voltage in the post synaptic cell membrane b Two type of post synaptic potential PSP i Excitatory PSP increases likelihood of action potential ii Inhibitory PSP decreases likelihood of action potential Neural Networking a Patterns or networks of neurons are developed to affect thought feelings and behaviors i Pathways are fluid which means that they are ever changing b Synaptic pruning more pathways are created than needed and when they no longer are in use they die off Neurotransmitters and Behavior a Neurotransmitters are the key to human behavior i They play a role in anything from muscular movement to mood also have a prominent role in psychological disorders b They are specific to receptor sites and they bind to these sites to activate the processes they code for Acetylcholine ACh a Was the first neurotransmitter that was discovered b Released by neurons that control skeletal muscles c Only neurotransmitter between motor neurons and voluntary muscles d Contributes to attention arousal and possibly memory GABA a Only has inhibitory effects b Contributes to regulation of anxiety and sleep c Is thought to contribute to seizure and anxiety disorders Dopamine a Plays a wide variety of roles within our nervous system b Controls voluntary movements c Deficiency is linked to Parkinson s d Over activation may be linked to schizophrenia e Dopamine circuits activated by cocaine and amphetamines VIII IX X XI XII XIII Serotonin a Has a role in regulation of sleep wakefulness and eating behaviors i Important in mood ii Linked to depression and OCD obsessive compulsive disorder Norepinephrine a Key factor in mood and arousal b Prepares our bodies to react to stressful situations fight or flight response c Plays a role in depression and ADHD Endorphins a Gives us our sense of well being b The bodies natural pain killer c Opiate like chemicals How Drugs Work a chemical substances bind to neurotransmitters receptor sites by fooling them into thinking that they are the neurotransmitter b Agonist mimics the action of a neurotransmitter i Has similar effects to the neurotransmitter c Antagonist opposes action of the neurotransmitter i Blocks the effects of the neurotransmitter Central Nervous System CNS a Consists of the brain and spinal cord b Cerebrospinal fluid CSF nourishes the brain and provides a protective cushion The Brain a Divided into 3 major regions hindbrain midbrain and forebrain i Hindbrain consists of cerebellum medulla and pons ii Mid brain iii Forebrain consists of the thalamus hypothalamus limbic system and cerebrum b Hindbrain Cerebellum i The cerebellum is referred to as the tiny brain ii Plays a role in fine motor skills coordination and physical balance iii Impaired by alcohol c Hindbrain Medulla i The medulla controls unconscious but vital functions ii Examples breathing maintaining muscle tone circulating blood and regulating reflexes d Hindbrain Pons i The pons is the bridge that connects the brainstem to the cerebellum ii Plays a role in sleep and arousal
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