PSY 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Parasympathetic Nervous System, Hypothalamus, Skeletal Muscle
14 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
The nervous system: neurons, neurotransmitters, divisions of the nervous system. Neurons: cells that comprise brain and rest of nervous system, transmit electrical symbols. Dendrites: the cell"s life support center, receive messages from other cells. Axon: passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, glands. Terminal branches of axon: form junctions with other cells. Synapse: gap between two neurons, or between neuron and organ. Neurotransmitters: chemicals that transmit information across a synapse. Can be characterized by what neurotransmitters are used. Example: parkinson"s increase dopamine for treatment. Forming memories (intense events: gamma-aminobutyric acid. Agonists: increase or mimic effects of a given neurotransmitter. Antagonist: decrease effects of a given neurotransmitter. Nicotine: increases muscle activation, addictive, dopamine agonist, acetylcholine agonist. Beta blockers: reduces blood pressure, norepinephrine antagonist. Antidepressants: serotonin agonist, norepinephrine agonist, dopamine agonist. ***achieve balance: somatic, controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscle, example: talking.
