PSYCHOLOGY 11002 General Psychology

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PSYCHOLOGY 110-02General Psychology

• University of Southern Mississippi
• Department of Psychology
• Dr. David J. Echevarria, PhD
• Spring 2008
• david.echevarria_at_usm.edu
• www.usm.edu/neurolab

Chapter 3 The Biological Basis of Behavior
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Chapter 3 The Biological Bases of Behavior
Check the Facebook page for information on exam
related topics Search Dr. E or PSY
110 Links to free companion websites and I will
also post answers to student questions
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Minute Quiz

• What are glial cells???

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Communication in the Nervous System

• Hardware
• Glia structural support and insulation
• Neurons communication
• Soma cell body
• Dendrites receive
• Axon transmit away

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Neuron and Neural Impulse
Inside a neuron there is electrical activity
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Neuron and Neural Impulse
Electrical activity.Chemical.Electrical
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Neuron and Neural Impulse
Electrical activity.Chemical.Electrical
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Neural CommunicationInsulation and Information
Transfer

• Myelin sheath speeds up transmission
• Terminal Button end of axon secretes
  neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitters chemical messengers
• Synapse point at which neurons interconnect
  with chemical communication

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The Synapse is the space between two
neurons Remember the neurons never actually
touch!!
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The Synapse Chemicals as Signal Couriers
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The Synapse Chemicals as Signal Couriers

• Synaptic cleft
• Presynaptic neuron
• Synaptic vesicles
• Neurotransmitters
• Postsynaptic neuron
• Receptor sites

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The Synapse Chemicals as Signal Couriers

• Synaptic cleft
• Presynaptic neuron
• Synaptic vesicles
• Neurotransmitters
• Postsynaptic neuron
• Receptor sites

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The Synapse Chemicals as Signal Couriers

• Synaptic cleft
• Presynaptic neuron
• Synaptic vesicles
• Neurotransmitters
• Postsynaptic neuron
• Receptor sites

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The Synapse Chemicals as Signal Couriers

• Synaptic cleft
• Presynaptic neuron
• Synaptic vesicles
• Neurotransmitters
• Postsynaptic neuron
• Receptor sites

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The Synapse Chemicals as Signal Couriers

• Synaptic cleft
• Presynaptic neuron
• Synaptic vesicles
• Neurotransmitters
• Postsynaptic neuron
• Receptor sites

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The Synapse Chemicals as Signal Couriers

• Synaptic cleft
• Presynaptic neuron
• Synaptic vesicles
• Neurotransmitters
• Postsynaptic neuron
• Receptor sites

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Figure 3.3 The synapse
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Figure 3.4 Overview of synaptic transmission
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Signals From Postsynaptic Potentialsto Neural
Networks

• Synaptic connections
• Elimination and creation
• Synaptic pruning

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Figure 3.5 Synaptic pruning
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Now lets talk more about neurotransmitters
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Neurotransmitters

• Specific neurotransmitters work at specific
  synapses
• Lock and key mechanism
• Agonist mimics neurotransmitter action
• Antagonist opposes action of a neurotransmitter
• 15 20 neurotransmitters known at present
• Interactions between neurotransmitter circuits

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Table 3.1 Common Neurotransmitters and Some of
their Functions
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EXAM 1 THIS FRIDAY

• 30 multiple choice questions
• 2 short answer/matching questions
• Please wait outside of the classroom until
  instructed to enter
• Place all belongings (book bags, coats) to the
  sides
• Turn off all cell phones
• No talking or communication once you enter