3750:100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Phineas Gage, Myelin, Frontal Lobe
Document Summary
Railroad worker whose personality was severely impacted after damage to the frontal lobe. Neurons re when stimulated by sense organs by other neurons. Cell body determines wether or not neurons should re acton potential- a neural impulse, an electrical charge that travels down an axon threshold- the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse. Chemical messages synapse- junction or gap between two neurons neurotransmitters- chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons dopamine- movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Too little - parkinson"s serotonin- mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Antidepressants increase serotonin in the brain acetylcholine- muscle contraction, learning, memory. Too little - alzheimer"s endorphins- natural painkillers, mood booster. Peripheral nervous system (pns) automatic nervous system- part of the pns that controls the glands and other muscles (digestion and heartbeat) somatic nervous system- division of the pns that controls the body"s skeletal muscles.
