PSYC 280 Lecture 4: Chapter 4 -The Chemistry of Behavior

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 280
• Professor: Neil Watson

Document Summary

C h a p t e r 4. Neurochemistry: branch of neuroscience concerned with fundamental chemical composition and processes of the nervous system. Neuropharmacology (psychopharmacology): scientific field concerned with discovery + study of compounds that selectively affect the functioning of the ns. Receptor (receptor molecule): protein that binds and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter/hormone. Ionotropic receptor: receptor protein that includes an ion channel that is opened when the receptor is bound by an agonist. Metabotropic receptor: receptor protein that doesn"t contain an ion channel but may, when activated, use a g protein system to alter the functioning of the postsynaptic cell. Receptor subtype: any type of receptor having functional characteristics that distinguish it from other types of receptors for the same neurotransmitter. G protein-coupled receptor (gprc): cell surface receptor that, when activated extracellularly, initiates g protein signaling mechanisms inside the cell. Ligand: substance that binds to receptor molecules (ex.