Physiological Psychology Overview

Study Notes

Physiological Psychology Overview

Physiological psychology explores the biological bases of behavior and mental processes. It examines how the nervous system, including the brain, and the endocrine system influence various aspects of cognition, emotion, and behavior.
This field integrates knowledge from neuroscience, biology, and psychology to understand the physical underpinnings of psychological phenomena.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.
They play crucial roles in various brain functions, including learning, memory, mood regulation, and motor control.
Different neurotransmitters have distinct roles and effects.
Examples include dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, and endorphins.
Dopamine is linked to reward and motivation.
Serotonin is involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite.
Norepinephrine is associated with alertness and stress responses.
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, crucial for learning and memory.
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, playing a role in calming the brain and preventing overexcitation.
Acetylcholine is important for muscle action and memory.
Endorphins act as natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Brain Structures

The brain comprises numerous structures, each with distinct functions.
Key structures include the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum, brain stem, and others.
The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the brain involved in higher-level cognitive functions like language, reasoning, and problem-solving.
The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information.
The hypothalamus regulates various bodily functions like temperature, hunger, and thirst.
The amygdala plays a role in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression.
The hippocampus is crucial for forming new memories.
The cerebellum is involved in coordinating movement and balance.
The brainstem controls basic life functions like breathing and heart rate.
Each brain structure interacts with other areas to create complex behaviors.

Neurons

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the body.
They consist of a cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon.
Dendrites receive signals from other neurons, and the axon transmits signals to other neurons or target cells.
The synapse is the junction between neurons where communication occurs.

Types of Neurons

Sensory neurons carry information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.
Motor neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles and glands.
Interneurons connect sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system. These are the most numerous type.

Synapse

The synapse is a specialized junction between two neurons or a neuron and a target cell (muscle or gland).
It's where communication occurs, using neurotransmitters to transmit signals.
Synaptic transmission is a complex process.

Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is a crucial component of a neuron, defining its boundary and regulating what enters and leaves.
It's a selectively permeable barrier, meaning it controls which substances can pass through.
The cell membrane plays a key role in electrical signaling and the action potential.
Its structure is critical for the function of neurons in the electrical and chemical signaling processes that facilitate neural communication.

Synaptic Transmission

Synaptic transmission is the process by which signals are relayed across a synapse.
It involves neurotransmitters released from the presynaptic neuron, diffusing across the synaptic cleft, and binding to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
This binding can either excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron.
The precise sequence of events in synaptic transmission determines the overall effect on the receiving neuron.
The neurotransmitter must then be removed from the synapse to prevent continuous signaling - a crucial part of regulating neuronal communication.

Description

This quiz covers the essentials of physiological psychology, focusing on the biological foundations of behavior and mental processes. It explores the roles of the nervous and endocrine systems and examines the various neurotransmitters and their functions in cognition and emotion.