Psychology: Approaches
Biopsychology- Neurons and synaptic transmission:
Synaptic transmission—process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each
other by sending chemical messages across the synapse (gap) that separates them.
The structure and function of the neurons:
100 billion neurons (nerve cells) in the human nervous system, 80% of which are located in
the brain. By transmitting signals electrically and chemically, these neurons provide the
nervous system with its primary means of communication.
Types of neurons:
Neuron—Basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process
and transmits messages through electrical and chemical signals.
Sensory Neurons—Carry the messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central
nervous system. - Have long dendrites and short axons.
Relay neurons—Connect the sensory neurons to the motor or relay neurons. Have short
dendrites and axons.
Motor neurons—Connect the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and
glands. Have short dendrites and long axons. –Branch like structures that provide from the
cell body
The structure of a neuron:
- Neurons vary in sizes but all share the same basic structure.
- Cell body (or soma) includes a nucleus- contains genetic material of the cell. Branch
like structures called dendrites protrude from the cell body. These carry nerve
impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body.
- Axon carries the impulses away from the cell body down he length of the neuron.
Covered in fatty layer of myelin sheath, that protects the axon and speeds up
electrical transmission of the impulse.
- Myelin sheath is segmented by gaps called nodes of Ranvier. These speeds up the
transmission of the impulse.
- End of axon are terminal buttons that communicate with the next neuron in the
chain across the synapse.
Electrical transmission- Firing of a neuron:
Neuron is in a resting state the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the
outside. Neuron is actively by a stimulus; the inside of the cell becomes positively charged
for a split second- action potential to occur. This creates an electrical impulse that travels
down the axon towards the end of the neuron.
Chemical transmission- Synapses:
- Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
- Each neuron is separated from the next by a tiny gap called the synapse. Signals
within neurons are transmitted electrically, however, signals between neurons are
transmitted chemically across the synapse.
- When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (presynaptic terminal) it
triggers the release of neurotransmitter from tiny sacks called synaptic vesicles.
Biopsychology- Neurons and synaptic transmission:
Synaptic transmission—process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each
other by sending chemical messages across the synapse (gap) that separates them.
The structure and function of the neurons:
100 billion neurons (nerve cells) in the human nervous system, 80% of which are located in
the brain. By transmitting signals electrically and chemically, these neurons provide the
nervous system with its primary means of communication.
Types of neurons:
Neuron—Basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process
and transmits messages through electrical and chemical signals.
Sensory Neurons—Carry the messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central
nervous system. - Have long dendrites and short axons.
Relay neurons—Connect the sensory neurons to the motor or relay neurons. Have short
dendrites and axons.
Motor neurons—Connect the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and
glands. Have short dendrites and long axons. –Branch like structures that provide from the
cell body
The structure of a neuron:
- Neurons vary in sizes but all share the same basic structure.
- Cell body (or soma) includes a nucleus- contains genetic material of the cell. Branch
like structures called dendrites protrude from the cell body. These carry nerve
impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body.
- Axon carries the impulses away from the cell body down he length of the neuron.
Covered in fatty layer of myelin sheath, that protects the axon and speeds up
electrical transmission of the impulse.
- Myelin sheath is segmented by gaps called nodes of Ranvier. These speeds up the
transmission of the impulse.
- End of axon are terminal buttons that communicate with the next neuron in the
chain across the synapse.
Electrical transmission- Firing of a neuron:
Neuron is in a resting state the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the
outside. Neuron is actively by a stimulus; the inside of the cell becomes positively charged
for a split second- action potential to occur. This creates an electrical impulse that travels
down the axon towards the end of the neuron.
Chemical transmission- Synapses:
- Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
- Each neuron is separated from the next by a tiny gap called the synapse. Signals
within neurons are transmitted electrically, however, signals between neurons are
transmitted chemically across the synapse.
- When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (presynaptic terminal) it
triggers the release of neurotransmitter from tiny sacks called synaptic vesicles.
