Neurobiology and the Nervous System

Study Notes

The separation of psychology from biology is artificial, as the human psyche is inseparable from the body, and biological features have implications for behavior and mind.
There are two main types of cells in the nervous system: neurons and glia, with glia supporting the activities of neurons.
Neurons are specialized for information processing and communication, with basic parts including the organelle cell body, axon, dendrite, intracellular and extracellular fluid, synapse, and neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transfer information across a synapse, with examples including adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine, glutamate, and endorphins.
A synapse is the junction between two neurons where information is transferred, and it consists of a nucleus, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome, mitochondria, and myelin.
Dendrites receive signals from other cells, while the cell body organizes and keeps the cell functional, and the cell membrane protects the cell.
The axon transfers signals to other cells and organs, and the myelin sheath increases the speed of signaling.
The node of Ranvier allows the diffusion of ions, and the axon terminal releases neurotransmitters.
There are different types of neurons, including unipolar, bipolar, and multipolar neurons, as well as sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.
Glia perform supportive functions, including macroglia, which provides support functions, and microglia, which removes debris resulting from damage to neurons.
The processing of an action potential involves a series of steps, including the development of an electrical signal, the release of neurotransmitters, and the transmission of signals across the synapse.
The opposite of an action potential is the resting potential, which is the measurement of the electrical charge across the neural membrane when the cell is not processing information.
The human brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons, with each neuron forming around 1000 synapses.
There are two types of synapses: chemical synapses, which use neurotransmitters to transmit messages, and electrical synapses, which directly affect adjacent neurons through the movement of ions.
Endocytosis is the process of capturing substances from outside the cell by engulfing it with the cell membrane, while exocytosis is the process of releasing substances from the cell by fusing vesicles with the plasma membrane.
Reuptake is the process of ending the action of neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap by recapturing the transmitter molecules, and it is inhibited by certain medications, such as SSRIs.

Description

Learn about the structure and function of neurons, glia, and synapses, as well as the process of information transmission and the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system. This quiz covers the basics of neurobiology and its importance in understanding human behavior and psychology.