PSYC 3030 Lecture 3: Week 3.docx

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3030
• Professor: Taryn Grieder

Document Summary

Review of structure and function of nervous system; Embryonic stem cells (have ability to become any cell in body, can proliferate - freezing the umbilical cord) that form the nervous system become two primary cell types: Contains pairs of chromosomes (strands of dna) which have many genes (section of chromosome) that code for proteins. Complementary mrna made by transcription factors (nuclear proteins that bind to promoter region of dna) which are then translated to proteins by ribosomes. Drug use can effect gene expression (epigenetics - changes in gene expression without changing the dna: dendrites - projections from soma, receive information. Covered with short dendritic spines that increase surface area. Constantly modified and shaped in response to changes in synaptic transmission, increased activity. Change rapidly - can change in number, shape and size. Some say dendritic spines are key to addiction.