Unit 3: Biological Psychology

1. WHS AP Psychology Unit 3: Biological Psychology Essential Task 3-3: Describe the chemical process of transmitting a signal between neurons with specific reference to the synapse (synaptic vesicles, synaptic cleft and receptor sites), neurotransmitters (excitatory and inhibitory), drugs (agonists and antagonists) and reuptatke.

2. Endocrine System Evolutionary We are here Building Blocks Genetics Biological Psychology Neurons Neurotransmitters Nervous System Central Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System Motor Sensory Spinal Cord Brain Autonomic Somatic Brain Imaging Sympathetic Parasympathetic

3. Essential Task 3-3: Outline • Chemical communication between neurons • synapse • Terminal buttons • synaptic vesicles • synaptic cleft • receptor sites • neurotransmitters • Excitatory and inhibitory • Drugs (agonists and antagonists) • reuptatke

4. Synapse Outline Synapse [SIN-aps] a junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron.

5. The synapse has 4 key components. Outline • Terminal button - Enlarged area at the axon terminal • Synaptic vesicles - Sacs in the terminal button that release chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synaptic space • Synaptic space (synaptic cleft) - Tiny gap between neurons • Receptor sites - Location on receptor neuron where neurotransmitters can bind.

6. Chemical Communication Outline Terminal button - Enlarged area at the axon terminal Synaptic vesicles - Sacs in the terminal button that release chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synaptic space Synaptic space (synaptic cleft) - Tiny gap between neurons Receptor sites - Location on receptor neuron where neurotransmitters can bind.

7. Chemical Communication Outline

8. Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters (chemicals) released from the sending neuron that travel across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing it to generate an action potential. Outline

9. Neurotransmitters fit like chemical keys in chemical locks. Outline

10. 2 Categories of neurotransmitters:Excitatory and Inhibitory Outline Excitatory • The key fits and ‘opens’ the receiving neuron. • Activation of the receptor causes depolarization of the membrane and promotes an action potential in the receiving neuron. Inhibitory • The key fits in but only stops any other keys. • Activation of the receptor causes hyperpolarization and depresses action potential generation.

11. Drugs that excite a neuron are called Agonists Outline Agonist excites!!!

12. Drugs that inhibit a neuron are called antagonists Antagonists stops!!! Outline

13. Reuptake Outline • Neurotransmitters in the synapse are reabsorbed into the sending neurons through the process of reuptake. This process applies the brakes on neurotransmitter action. *Neurotransmitters are taken back

14. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Outline Citalopram (Celexa) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Fluoxetine (Prozac) Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) Sertraline (Zoloft)