Interactive Presentation SlidesFor Introductory Psychology

Table of ContentsBiological Psychology

The Action Potential

Anatomy of the Synapse

Types of Neurotransmitters

The Nervous System

The Endocrine System

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Neural impulses travel through the human body at the same speed that electricity travels through a wire.

Endorphins are neurotransmitter molecules similar to morphine.

For you to be able to run, your central nervous system must “talk” to your leg muscles.

The simplest neural pathways are those that govern our sexual drives.

The knee-jerk reflex requires the activity of the central nervous system.

Biological Psychology

Everything psychological—every idea, every mood, every urge—is simultaneously biological.

Everything psychological—every idea, every mood, every urge—is simultaneously biological.

is the scientific study of links between biological and psychological processes.

behavioral neuroscientists

neuropsychologists behavior geneticists physiological

psychologists biopsychologists

There are many kinds of biological psychologists, including:

Cell body (soma) – nucleus with chromosomes Dendrites – receive information from other neurons Axon – transmits information to other neurons, muscles,

and glands

The Neuron

Junction between one neuron’s axon and another’s dendrites/cell body

Neurotransmitters cross the synapse Plays a fundamental role in the communication between

neurons

The Synapse

Insulating layer of fatty material

Composed of glial cells

Helps efficient transmission of signals to other cells

Gaps in myelin sheath are nodes of Ranvier

Myelin

Video:Signal Transmission

Video:Signal Transmission

Sensory Interneurons Motor

Types of Neurons

The Action Potential Electrical charge gathered by dendrites and cell body Electrical charge travels down the axon to synapse Stimulates the release of neurotransmitters into synapse Occurs only when electrical signal is at a certain level

(threshold) “All-or-none”—electrical impulse is the same no matter how

much stimulation the neuron receives Neuron returns to resting state after electrical charge is

transmitted

High concentration of K+ inside neuron

Lower concentration of K+ outside neuron

Higher concentration of Na+ outside neuron

K+ channels in cell membrane open in resting state

K+ moves out of neuron, leaving a -70 mv charge

The Resting Potential

Animation: Ion Flow: Part 1

Animation: Ion Flow: Part 1

The electrical charge reaches a threshold

K+ channels close Na+ channels open Na+ flows into the

neuron + charge inside the

neuron increases Charge inside the

neuron is +40 millivolts

The Action Potential is Initiated

Animation: Ion Flow: Part 2

Animation: Ion Flow: Part 2

Intracellular fluid is positively charged (+40 millivolts)

Adjacent Na+ channels open

The action potential travels down the axon membrane

K+ channels open K+ moves out of the cell Intracellular fluid becomes

negative again K+ channels close

The Action Potential Travels Down the Axon

Animation: Ion Flow: Part 3

Animation: Ion Flow: Part 3

Na+ and K+ channels close

Na+ concentration is higher inside the cell

K+ concentration is lower inside the cell

Na+/K+ pump restores resting state charge

Na+/K+ Pump Restores Ion Balance

Animation:Ion Flow: Part 4

.mov

Animation:Ion Flow: Part 4

.mov

The time following an action potential

Another action potential can’t occur during the refractory period

After the action potential reaches +40 mv, membrane channels return to original state

The neuron can now generate another action potential

The Refractory Period

Excitatory Messages

Inhibitory Messages

Animation:Signal Transmission

Animation:Signal Transmission

Animation:Signal Transmission

Animation:Signal Transmission

Presynaptic neuron’s axons end in terminal buttons

Terminal buttons contain synaptic vesicles

Synaptic vesicles contain neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit information across the synaptic gap (cleft)

Postsynaptic neuron’s dendrites contain receptor sites

Receptor sites fit certain neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters bind to specific receptor sites in a lock-and-key system

Anatomy of the Synapse

Synaptic Transmission

What happens to the neurotransmitters in the synapse? synact_part2_SB.mov

Animation:Synaptic Transmission: Part 2

synact_part2_SB.mov

Animation:Synaptic Transmission: Part 2

Animation:Synaptic Transmission: Part 1

Animation:Synaptic Transmission: Part 1

Reuptake—Neurotransmitters are absorbed back into the presynaptic neuron

Enzyme Deactivation (Disassembly)—Neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes in the synapse

Autoreceptors—Neurotransmitters bind to autoreceptor sites on the presynaptic neuron

Neurotransmitters passively drift out of the synaptic gap

What happens to neurotransmitters in the synapse?

Video:Parkinson’s Disease:

A Case Study

Video:Parkinson’s Disease:

A Case Study

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Dopamine

Serotonin

Norepinephrine

Endorphins

Enables muscle action, learning

and memory

With Alzheimer’s, ACh producing neurons

deteriorate

Influences movement, learning, attention and

emotion

High levels linked to schizophrenia, low levels

linked to Parkinson’s disease

Affects mood, hunger, sleep arousal

Low levels linked to depression

Helps control alertness and arousal

Low levels depress mood

Boosts mood, lessens pain

Artificial opiates cause brain to stop

producing endorphins

Functions Malfunctions

Types of Neurotransmitters

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Central Nervous System (CNS)

The Nervous System

Connects the central nervous system to the body’s organs and muscles

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) Somatic nervous system (skeletal nervous system)

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The Central Nervous System Brain Spinal cordThese are composed of interneurons

Sympathetic Nervous System Parasympathetic Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Dual Functions of the Autonomic Nervous System

Arousal Returning the

body to its resting state

SLIDE DESCRIPTION CREDITSlide 1 Brain graphic NLshop/ Fotolia.comSlide 4 Man playing violin Jeremy Woodhouse/ Getty ImagesSlide 20 Photo of man with gas mask Thinkstock

Despair by Munch SuperstockRoller coaster AP PhotoPhoto of rock climber Getty Images

Photo Credits