Psych 101 (2)

• Parts of a neuron

  • Dendrite
  • Soma
  • Axon

  
• Functions of glial cells


  • Holds neurons in place while developing
  • Gets nutrients to neurons
  • Cleaning up dead neurons
  • Insulating the axons of neurons

  
• Types of glial cells

  • Oligodendrocytes
  • Schwann cells
• MyelinSheaths


  Insulates axon and speeds up message down the axon

  
• Action potential


  How neurons communicate
• Neurotransmitter effects


  • Excitatory
  • Inhibitory
• Agonist


  Magnifies neurotransmitter effect
• Antagonist


  Blocks neurotransmitter effect
• SSRIs and SNRIs


  Block the reuptake of serotonin which allows them to stay in the synapse and stimulate the postsynaptic receptors more

  
• Central Nervous System components

  • Brain
  • Spinal Cord

  
• Cells in the nervous system

  • White Matter
  • Gray Matter

  
• Peripheral Nervous System components

  • Somatic Nervous System
  • Autonomic Nervous System

  
• Autonomic Nervous System components


  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System

  
• Endocrine System


  Produces hormones which flows through the bloodstream, affects muscles, organs, glands, has excitatory or inhibitory effects on the brain
• Hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland, the "master gland"
• Hypothalamus, Endocrine System, and Stress

  Oxytocin encourages uterine contraction, milk production, and affects social cognition and behaviors
• Brain regions

  • Cortical
  • Subcortical

  
• Cortical regions

  • Occipital - processes visual info
  • Parietal - somatosensory cortex
  • Temporal - primary auditory cortex, language
  • Frontal - planning, personality, memory storage, regulating emotions
• Association Areas

  • Broca's Area - interaction between frontal, temporal, and motor areas responsible for speech production
  • Wernicke's Area - understanding the meaning of words
• Orbitofrontal Cortex


  Evaluates options based on reward value, delays gratification, has bidirectional relationship with subcortical regions
• Reward Circuit


  Ventral Tegmental Area, Nucleus Accumbens, plays a role in the experience and anticipation of pleasure, affected by cocaine and addictive drugs
• Subcortical areas and fear-based memories

  Amygdala and hippocampus are involved in forming fear-based memories
• Frontal Cortex and Limbic System

  Frontal cortex regulates emotional responses from the limbic system
• Dendrite - receives messages from

  neighboring neurons
• Soma - cell body that contains the

  nucleus
• Axon - carries messages to other cells;

  axon terminals can be found at its ends
• Myelin Sheaths:

  -Insulates axon

  -Speeds up message down the axon
• Oligodendrocytes- myelin for brain and spinal cord
• Schwann cells- myelin for body
• Oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells Generate Myelin Sheath
• neurons communicate through action potential
• Neurotransmitters after the synaptic transmission

  (1) Diffusion

  (2) Enzymatic breakdown

  (e.g. monoamine oxidase - norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, dopamine)

  (3) Glial cells clean up

  (4) Reuptake
• Neurotransmitters have excitatory or inhibitory effects on the

  synapses of the neurons
• Excitatory initiates action potential
• Inhibitory prevents action potential
• Agonist magnifies neurotransmitter effect
• Antagonist blocks neurotransmitter effect
• Acetylcholine- Excitatory or inhibitory; arousal, attention, memory, muscle contraction
• Norepinephrine- Excitatory; arousal and mood
• Dopamine- Excitatory or inhibitory; movement and pleasure