PSYC 1102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Axon Terminal, Bipolar Disorder, Methylphenidate
Biopsychology;
- Neurons and neurotransmitters!
Action potential: Basic process of communication in the brain and the basis of all behavior.
[Create and control behavior.]
• 2 Phases
1. Signals received at dendrite which is a strong enough, electric current that travels
down the axon and to the synaptic terminal.
2. At the end of the axon terminal, neuro-transmitters are released into the synapse
that then leads to the receptors that receive cell’s dendrites.
~Communication within the neurons is ELECTRICAL.
~Communication between neurons is CHEMICAL. i.e.(neurotransmitters.)
Chemical Structures of the Brain; *Know the affects of too much and too little of each
chemical*
Acetylcholine} Controls muscle action, memory/learning, sleeping/dreaming!
o Botulinum Toxin} “Botox” Synthetic—Blocks ACH receptors which eventually
causes paralysis.
Norepinephrine} (a.k.a. Adrenaline) Controls quick increase in energy, attentiveness,
sleeping/dreaming—Linked to Bipolar disorder and Manic-Depressive disorder.
Serotonin} Controls mood and arousal.
o Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors} Treatment for severe depression. i.e. Prozac—
Blocks reuptake.
Dopamine} Controls motor behavior: reward/pleasure.
o Amphetamines} Extra dopamine and blocks reuptake leads to addiction. i.e.
Ritalin & Adderall—Treatment for ADHD but used for “cognitive enhancement.”
Aminobutyric Acid} (GABA) Inhibits sending neurotransmitters.
Glutamate} “Excites” neurotransmitters and controls learning/memory.
Endorphins} Internally produced=ENDOgenous; Substance reduces pain=Morphine; and
elevates mood. Involved in pain pathways and emotion center.
Sensation and Perception;
Basic Principles
Sensation: Awareness due to stimulation of a sense organ.
Transduction: Process of stimulus that converts to nerve impulses.
Perception: Organize, identify, and interpret sensations.
Bottom-up processing: Sensory inputs pieced together to gradually build knowledge of an
object.
Top-down processing: Beliefs, expectations, or pre-existing knowledge about the world
drives perceptual processes.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Action potential: basic process of communication in the brain and the basis of all behavior. Chemical structures of the brain; *know the affects of too much and too little of each chemical* Acetylcholine} controls muscle action, memory/learning, sleeping/dreaming: botulinum toxin} botox synthetic blocks ach receptors which eventually causes paralysis. Adrenaline) controls quick increase in energy, attentiveness, sleeping/dreaming linked to bipolar disorder and manic-depressive disorder. Serotonin} controls mood and arousal: serotonin reuptake inhibitors} treatment for severe depression. i. e. prozac . Dopamine} controls motor behavior: reward/pleasure: amphetamines} extra dopamine and blocks reuptake leads to addiction. i. e. ritalin & adderall treatment for adhd but used for cognitive enhancement. Endorphins} internally produced=endogenous; substance reduces pain=morphine; and elevates mood. Sensation: awareness due to stimulation of a sense organ. Transduction: process of stimulus that converts to nerve impulses. Bottom-up processing: sensory inputs pieced together to gradually build knowledge of an object. Top-down processing: beliefs, expectations, or pre-existing knowledge about the world drives perceptual processes.
