OUTLINE – Chapter 3 (Mod 7, 8, 9)

NEUROSCIENCE & BEHAVIOR

1. Neurons and Neural communication

a. Neurons/neural impulses b. Neural communication c. Neurotransmitters

2. Nervous system

a. Structure and function b. Reflexes vs. Neural networks

3. The Brain

a. Studying the brain b. Brain regions/function c. Plasticity d. Hemispheric differences • Gazzaniga article/video NEURONS: STRUCTURE

• Dendrite - the ‘in-box’

• Cell body - basic cell functions

• Axon - the ‘out-box’ (axon-away);

Myelin Sheath

• Terminal Vesicles

• Synapse

• Receptor Sites NEURONS: COMMUNICATION

How do neurons communicate?

1. How does information travel within a neuron?

2. How is information passed from one neuron to the next?
NEURONS: communication - WITHIN
ACTION POTENTIAL
1) All neurons have a resting state

2) Dendrite is stimulated ▪ Positive ions flow into the cell until…

3) Threshold is reached ▪ Action potential is triggered (all-or-nothing)

4) Wave moves down the axon

5) Wave reaches the terminal vesicles

NEURONS: communication - BETWEEN
5) Wave reaches the terminal vesicles

6) neurotransmitters are released into the synapse

7) NTs bind with receptors on dendrite of next neuron

8) Process starts in the next cell NTs can: * Excite the next neuron * Inhibit the next neuron
Refractory period -
NEUROTRANSMITTERS

Acetylcholine

Endorphins

Serotonin

Dopamine

Substance P

GABA

DRUGS - effect on neural communication

Drugs can have two effects:

1. Agonists

2. Antagonists

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Agonists: “the enhancer”

▪ binds at neurotransmitter sites (receptor sites)