1. Chapter 2
Biopsychology

2. How Does the Body Communicate Internally?
The body’s two communication systems, the nervous system and the endocrine system, both use chemical messengers to communicate with targets throughout the body

3. The Neuron Types of Neurons
Sensory neurons (carry messages from sense receptors towards the CNS)
Motor neurons (carry messages from CNS toward muscles and glands)
Interneurons (carry messages between nerve cells)

4. The Structure of a Neuron

5. The Neural Impulse
Neural impulse – Brief electric surge that carries the neuron’s message
Ions – Charged particles that are moved across the cell membrane

6. The Neural Impulse Resting potential Action potential Synapse
Synaptic transmission

7. Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters – Chemical messengers that relay neural messages across the synapse

8. Seven Important Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
GABA
Glutamine
Endorphins

9. Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Produces sensations of pleasure and reward; used by CNS neurons in voluntary movement
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Cocaine, amphetamines, Ritalin, alcohol
Glutamine
Endorphins

10. Depression, certain anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Regulates sleep and dreaming, mood, pain, aggression, appetite and sexual behavior
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Depression, certain anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder
Acetylcholine
GABA
Glutamine
Substances that Affect:
Prozac, hallucinogenics (e.g. LSD)
Endorphins

11. High blood pressure, depression
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Controls heart rate, sleep, sexual responsiveness, stress, vigilance and appetite
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
High blood pressure, depression
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers
Glutamine
Endorphins

12. Certain muscular disorders, Alzheimer’s disease
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Primary transmitter used by neurons carrying messages from CNS; involved in some kinds of learning and memory
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Certain muscular disorders, Alzheimer’s disease
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Nicotine, botulism toxin, curare, atropine
Glutamine
Endorphins

13. Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Anxiety, epilepsy
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Barbiturates, tranquilizers (e.g. Valium, Librium), alcohol
Glutamine
Endorphins

14. Brain damage after stroke
Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Normal Function:
Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS; involved in learning and memory
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
Problems with Imbalance:
Brain damage after stroke
GABA
Substances that Affect:
PCP (“angel dust”)
Glutamine
Endorphins

15. Pleasurable sensations and control of pain
Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Normal Function:
Pleasurable sensations and control of pain
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Problems with Imbalance:
Lowered levels resulting from opiate addiction
Acetylcholine
GABA
Substances that Affect:
Opiates: opium, heroin, morphine, methadone
Glutamine
Endorphins

16. Plasticity
Plasticity – Ability of the nervous system to adapt or change as the result of experience; sometimes helps the nervous system adapt to physical damage

17. Glial Cells Glial cells Provide structural support for neurons
Help in forming new synapses
Form myelin sheath

18. The Organization of the Nervous System
Peripheral nervous system
Central nervous system (CNS)
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system

19. The Endocrine System
(the body’s chemical messenger system)

20. The Endocrine System
Pituitary gland – Master gland that produces hormones influencing the secretions of all other endocrine glands; produces hormone that influences growth; attached to hypothalamus

21. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006
End of Chapter 2
Section 2.2
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006