Psychology Chapter 3.2
synapse
a very small space between two neurons and is an important site where communication between neurons occurs
antagonist
blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor
SSRIs; prozac; paxil; zoloft
by preventing reuptake, ___ strengthen the effect of serotonin giving it more time to interact with serotonin receptors on dendrites; give 3 examples
agonists
chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site, and thus strengthen its effects
mood, sleep, and learning
dopamine is involved in what? (3)
increased pleasure, suppressed appetite
dopamine's potential effect on behavior is what? (2)
psychotropic medications
drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
multiple sclerosis (MS) which involves the large scale loss of the myelin sheath which can lead to dizziness, fatigue, loss of motor control, and sexual disfunction
give an example of a disorder that involves the loss of the myelin sheath
the neurotransmitter and the receptor have a lock and key relationship meaning that specific neurotransmitters fit specific receptors similar to how a key fits a lock
how does a neurotransmitter know which receptor to bind to?
myelin sheath
in some axons, glial cells form a fatty substance known as the ___, which coats the axon and acts as an insulator, increasing the speed at which signal travels
heart, intestines, and alertness
norepinephrine is involved in what? (3)
increased arousal, suppressed appetite
norepinephrine's potential effect on behavior is what? (2)
dendrite
once neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, they travel across the small space and bind with corresponding receptors on the ___of and adjacent neuron
glial cells
outnumber neurons ten to one and play a supportive role to neurons both physically and metabolically
semipermeable membrane
part of the neuron that allows smaller molecules and molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules
reuptake inhibitors
prevent unused neurotransmitters from being transported back to the neuron leaving more neurotransmitters in the synapse for a longer time, increasing its effects
receptors
proteins on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach, vary in shape, with different shapes "matching" different neurotransmitters
glial cells
provide scaffolding on which the nervous system is built; help neurons line up closely with each other to allow neuronal communication; provide insulation to neurons; transport nutrients and waste products; and mediate immune responses
nervous system
psychologists striving to understand the human mind may study the ___
biological perspective
psychologists who take a ___ and focus on the physiological causes of behavior assert that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter system
mood, sleep
serotonin is involved in what? (2)
modulated mood, suppressed appetite
serotonin's potential effect on behavior is what? (2)
neurons
serve as interconnected information processors that are essential for all the tasks of the nervous system
soma; axon; terminal buttons
signals from other neurons are transmitted electrically across the ___ and down a major extension known as the ___ which ends at multiple ___
neurons
the central building blocks of the nervous system; 100 billion at birth
LSD
the drug ___ is structurally very similar to serotonin and it affects the same neurons and receptors as serotonin
normal operation
the myelin sheath is crucial for the ___ of the neurons within the nervous system
glial cells and neurons
the nervous system is composed of what cell types?
input sites where signals are received from other neurons
the neuron is a small information processor, and the dendrites serve as what?
axon; terminal buttons; synaptic vesicles; neurotransmitters; synapse
the neuronal signals move rapidly down the___ to the ___ where ___ release ___ into the __
soma; cell body
the nucleus of the neuron is located where? what is this?
dendrites
the soma has branching extensions known as ___
synaptic vesicles; neurotransmitters
the terminal buttons contain ___ that house ___, the chemical messengers of the nervous system
depression has reduced serotonin levels and is treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
what would someone give a person with depression?
its associated with low levels of dopamine so dopamine agonists which mimic the effects of dopamine by binding to dopamine receptors, are one treatment strategy
what would someone give a person with parkinson's disease?
schizophrenia is associated with overactive dopamine neurotransmission so you would use antagonists for dopamine which block dopamine's effects by binding its receptors without activating them thus they prevent dopamine release by one neuron from signaling info to adjacent neurons
what would someone give a person with schizophrenia?
