Biological Psychology AP Psychology Biological Psychology Essential Task: 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. Logo Green is R=8 G=138 B=76 Blue is R= 0 G=110 B=184 Border Grey is R=74 G=69 B=64

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Chemical Communication Outline

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

Neurotransmitters fit like chemical keys in chemical locks Outline

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

Agonists: Drugs that Excite a Neuron Outline

Antagonists: Drugs that Inhibit a Neuron Outline

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

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