1. Unit 4: Biological Psychology
WHS AP Psychology
Unit 4: Biological Psychology
Essential Task 4-3:
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= Blue is R= 0 G=110 B=184
Border Grey is R=74 G=69 B=64

2. 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

3. Essential Task 4-3: 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Chemical Communication
Outline

8. 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

9. Neurotransmitters fit like chemical keys in chemical locks.
Outline

10. 2 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.

11. Drugs that excite a neuron are called Agonists
Outline
Agonist excites!!!

12. Drugs that inhibit a neuron are called antagonists
Outline
Antagonists stops!!!

13. 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

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