PS101 Chapter 3: Chapter 3 - Biological Bases of Behaviour
Document Summary
Steps in neuro-communication (starting from pre-synaptic neuron: dendrites, soma, message enters here, cell body (containing nucleus, preliminary processing, myelin sheath, axon: long thin fibre that transmits information. Serves as insulation, allowing speed and protection from waste other signals. Key for coordination, sensation, memory: terminal buttons, connected to the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron. Resting potential (the stable, negative charge of a cell when inactive) Action potential (shift in neuron"s electrical charge) All-or-none law (a neuron fires or it doesn"t: strength is conveyed by rate of firing of a neuron (quicker firing = a stronger stimulus. 6: action potential (ap) allows the synaptic vesicle to release the, if the neurotransmitter fits the receptor site, the message is passed to neurotransmitter the post-synaptic neuron; if it doesn"t fit, then it gets reabsorbed (reuptake) Neural networks: patterns of neural networks. Serve as perceptions, thoughts, behaviors, memories, etc. Synaptic pruning: elimination of less active synapses (space between pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuron)
