Neuron Structure
A neuron's outer surface which allows smaller and/or neutral charged molecules to pass through, but not charged and/or large molecules to pass through.
What is a semipermeable membrane?
The difference in charge across the membrane which provides energy for a signal
This type of perspective is taken by psychologists who focus on the physiological causes of a behavior and assert that these behaviors and psychological disruptions are associated with some type of imbalance of neurotransmitters.
What is a biological perspective?
Mood, Sleep, & Learning are affected by this neurotransmitter
What is Dopamine?
Phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation
What is all-or-none?
The major extension/lengthy part of the neuron
What is the axon?
The two ions that are exchanged through a pump in the membrane, creating an internal net negative charge of the cell
Sodium and Potassiums
This type of drug treats psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
What is a psychotropic medication/drug?
Mood & Sleep are affected by this neurotransmitter
What is serotonin?
The branch-like extension of the soma that receives incoming signals from other neurons
What is a dendrite?
A fatty substance that coats the glial cells, acting as an insulator and speeding up the rate at which a signal travels.
The name of the state of a cell when the internal charge reaches a certain level of positivity, causing the neuron to become active and an action potential to begin
This type of drug is a chemical that mimics a neurotransmitter at the receptor site.
What is an agonist?
Heart, intestines, & alertness are affected by this neurotransmitter
What is norepinephrine?
Interconnected cells of the nervous system that serve as interconnected information processors.
What is a neuron?
The chemical messengers of the nervous system which are housed by synaptic vesicles inside of the terminal buttons at the end of the neuron
What is a neurotransmitter?
The positive spike of the electrical signal that moves from the cell body down the axon to the axon terminals caused by the internal charge reaching the threshold of excitation.
What is the action potential?
This type of drug blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor.
What is an antagonist?
What is a receptor?
The very small space between two neurons, which is an important site where communication between neurons occurs
What is an electrochemical event?
This type of drug prevents unused neurotransmitters from being transported back to the neuron, allowing them to remain active in the synaptic cleft for longer, increasing effectiveness
What is a reuptake inhibitor?
Brain/Cognitive function and sleep are affected by this neurotransmitter
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
When a neurotransmitter is pumped back into the neuron that released it
What is reuptake?