PSYB65H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Axon Hillock, Membrane Potential, Reuptake
Document Summary
Basic physiology of neurons and how they transmit information. How to alter systems to increase or decrease activity: parkinsons affects dopamine to be depressed. Trouble walking / moving: schizophrenia affects dopamine to be overactive. What is dopamine: neurotransmitter substance in the brain. What do we do in neuroscience: deal with diseases of the brain such as parkinsons / schizophrenia, understand systems to evaluate drugs that can cure / treat these diseases. Neurons are cells: communicate information, has a membrane with channels. High amounts of sodium outside of the membrane. When it enters the cell, makes the cell more positive: if it hits a threshold triggers and fires an action potential. Firing of action potential opens all the sodium channels. High amounts of potassium inside the membrane: channels open up when electrochemically stimulated, resting membrane potential is slightly negative, starts at axon hillock fires down axon towards nerve terminals towards synapse towards dendrite.
