PSYC 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Myelin, Neurotransmitter Receptor, Membrane Potential

• School: UBC
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 101
• Professor: Steven Barnes

Document Summary

Lock n key relationship: specific neurotransmitters fir specific receptors similar to how a key fits a lock: the neurotransmitter binds to any receptor that it fits. Reuptake: neurotransmitter being pumped back into neuron that released it, in order to clear synapse. Agonists: chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site & strengthen its effects. Ex: depression: treated w/ selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris, ssris strengthen the effect of serotonin, giving it more time to interact w/ serotonin receptors on dendrites. Intracellular recording: healthy neuron has a membrane potential of -60 to -80mv. Inside neuron is -60 to -80 mv less than outside of neuron: why polarization, due to uneven distribution of ions, inside of cell is more negative than outside. Questions: an extracellular recording electrode measures neural activity, in the space just outside of the neuron, which is not a reason for unequal distribution of ions in a neuron, massive continuous excitatory input from nearby neurons.