PS268 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Neurotransmission, Vasopressin, Resting Potential
CHAP 4: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
-the difference between drugs and other chemicals is that drugs have specific effects on
living tissue
-drugs are psychoactive bc they alter ongoing functions in the brain
Homeostasis
-most of biochemical reactions basic to maintenance of life are temperative dependent (37
degrees C)
-alcohol inhibits release of antidiretic hormone vasopressin which causes an increase in
urination
Evidence suggesting homeostatic processes mobilize to counteract alcohol effect:
1) following alcohol consumption, heavy drinkers have less urine output than infrequent
drinkers
2) during withdrawal, drinkers exhibit increased vasopressin release resulting in greater
water retention
Neurotransmission
-action potential (electrical signal) initiates chain of events that allows one neuron to
communicate w another through release of neurotransmitters
-occurs as result of opening ion channels (pores in membrane) that allow electrically charged
Document Summary
The difference between drugs and other chemicals is that drugs have specific effects on living tissue. Drugs are psychoactive bc they alter ongoing functions in the brain. Most of biochemical reactions basic to maintenance of life are temperative dependent (37 degrees c) Alcohol inhibits release of antidiretic hormone vasopressin which causes an increase in urination. Evidence suggesting homeostatic processes mobilize to counteract alcohol effect: following alcohol consumption, heavy drinkers have less urine output than infrequent drinkers, during withdrawal, drinkers exhibit increased vasopressin release resulting in greater water retention. Action potential (electrical signal) initiates chain of events that allows one neuron to communicate w another through release of neurotransmitters. Occurs as result of opening ion channels (pores in membrane) that allow electrically charged particles (ion) access to inside of cell which moves cell"s membrane away from resting potential to more positively charged voltage. When at rest, cell membrane has uneven distribution of ions b/w intracellular and extracellular cell.
