Ap Pyschology Notes
Biological Basis of Behavior
Neurons Neuroanatomy: Study of the parts/function of a neuron. Neuron: Nerve cells. Their parts are dendrites, soma, axon, Myelin sheath, and Terminal buttons. Dendrites: Rootlike structures that form synaptic connections with other neurons Soma: The body of the neuron, contains the nucleus and other cell organelles Axon: Wirelike structure that connects the soma to the Terminal buttons Myelin sheath: Fatty covering of the axon that speeds up neural impulses Terminal buttons: End of the axon, contains neurotransmitters. Also called end buttons, terminal branches of axon, and synaptic nobs Neurotransmitters: Chemicals in the Terminal buttons that allow neurons to communicate, fit into the dendrites Synapse: The space between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrites of another
Neuron “Firing” In a resting state, a neuron is slightly negative, with more negative ions on the inside, surrounded by positive ions. The cell membrane keeps the positive ions out through selective permeability. 1. Terminal buttons of Neuron A are stimulated. They release neurotransmitters into the synapse 2. The neurotransmitters enter the dendrite receptors of Neuron B 3. If the “threshold” of neurotransmitters is reached in Neuron B, Neuron B becomes totally permeable. (This is called the all-or-none principle; either the neuron totally fires, or it does not fire. It all depends on whether the threshold is reached.) 4. Positive ions flood Neuron B. The charge moving through the neuron is called action potential, and moves 120 m/s 5. When the charge reaches the terminal buttons, they stimulate them, causing them to release neurotransmitters into the next synapse.
Neurotransmitters
Excitatory neurotransmitters: Chemicals that excite neurons into firing
Inhibitory neurotransmitters: Inhibit neurons from firing The amounts of transmitters, and their type, determine whether the threshold is reached,
Neurons Neuroanatomy: Study of the parts/function of a neuron. Neuron: Nerve cells. Their parts are dendrites, soma, axon, Myelin sheath, and Terminal buttons. Dendrites: Rootlike structures that form synaptic connections with other neurons Soma: The body of the neuron, contains the nucleus and other cell organelles Axon: Wirelike structure that connects the soma to the Terminal buttons Myelin sheath: Fatty covering of the axon that speeds up neural impulses Terminal buttons: End of the axon, contains neurotransmitters. Also called end buttons, terminal branches of axon, and synaptic nobs Neurotransmitters: Chemicals in the Terminal buttons that allow neurons to communicate, fit into the dendrites Synapse: The space between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrites of another
Neuron “Firing” In a resting state, a neuron is slightly negative, with more negative ions on the inside, surrounded by positive ions. The cell membrane keeps the positive ions out through selective permeability. 1. Terminal buttons of Neuron A are stimulated. They release neurotransmitters into the synapse 2. The neurotransmitters enter the dendrite receptors of Neuron B 3. If the “threshold” of neurotransmitters is reached in Neuron B, Neuron B becomes totally permeable. (This is called the all-or-none principle; either the neuron totally fires, or it does not fire. It all depends on whether the threshold is reached.) 4. Positive ions flood Neuron B. The charge moving through the neuron is called action potential, and moves 120 m/s 5. When the charge reaches the terminal buttons, they stimulate them, causing them to release neurotransmitters into the next synapse.
Neurotransmitters
Excitatory neurotransmitters: Chemicals that excite neurons into firing
Inhibitory neurotransmitters: Inhibit neurons from firing The amounts of transmitters, and their type, determine whether the threshold is reached,