PSYC 251 Lecture 1: Topic 1 definitions

• School: University of Victoria
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 251
• Professor: Adam Krawitz

Document Summary

Chemical synapses- a synapse that uses a chemical transmitter agent; the most common type of synapse in the mammalian brain. Neurotransmitters- chemical agent released at synapses that mediates signalling between nerve cells. Synapses- a specialized point of contact between the axon of a neutron (the presynaptic cell) and a target (postsynaptic) cell. Information is transferred between the presynaptic and postsynaptic cells by the release and receipt of biochemical neurotransmitters. Axon hillock- the initial portion of an axon, closest to the cell body; the point where the action potentials are typically initiated. Action potential- the electrical signal conducted along neuronal axons by which information is conveyed from one place to another in the nervous system. Ion channels- a membrane protein that uses passive energy of concentration gradients (created by ion pumps) to allow the passage of ions across the cell membrane. Ion pumps- a membrane protein that uses metabolic energy to create ion concentration gradients across neuronal membranes.