PSYC 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Peripheral Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System, Pituitary Gland
Document Summary
Links between psychology biology = emotions, feelings. The body"s information system is built from billions of interconnects cells called neurons. Neuron nerve cells: cell body life support center, dendrites branching extensions at the cell body. Action potential: neuron stimulation causing a brief charge in electrical charge, all or nothing impulse, intensity of action potential remains the same throughout the length of the axon. Threshold (of excitation: when the excitatory signals minus the inhibitory signals exceed a minimum intensity (threshold) the neuron fires an action potential. Neurotransmitters (messages: chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps between neurons, stimulate receptors on receiving neuron, chemicals are then taken back up into the sending neuron to be used again. How neurotransmitters influence us: mood, arousal. movement, attention, emotion. Dopamine influences learning, and helps schizophrenia, Starved of dopamine the brain produces tremors and decreases mobility. Acetylcholine (ach) enables muscle action, learning and memory. Norepinephrine helps control alertness and arousal. Glutamate major excitatory neurotransmitters; involved in memory.
