1. Neural communication, addiction and neuroplasticity
Biopsychology day 2

2. Action potential
Fluid outside the axon membrane has mostly positively charged ions (+)
At rest, the fluid interior of an axon has negatively charged particles
This state is called the resting potential
The surface of the axon is selectively permeable

3. Action Potential: Electrical & Chemical Communication
A brief electro/chemical signal that travels down the axon to the terminal buttons.

4. A Closer Look at a Neuron
Neural impulse - hyperlink
Details of an action potential - hyperlink

5. Not in isolation but in connection

6. Someone touched a… _ _ _ _ _
In the peripheral nervous system a bundle of axons is called a nerve.
In the CNS a bundle of axons is called a tract.
Nerves can be categorized into two groups based on where they connect to the central nervous system:
spinal
cranial  (parts of the head and connect directly to the brain).

8. A Closer Look at a Terminal Button
Neurotransmitter
endogenous chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
synapse - hyperlink

9. Keys in the lock Neurotransmitter – the key fits in nicely
Agonist – (excites) mimics the neurotransmitter and stimulates the receptor
Antagonist – (inhibits) blocks and does not stimulate the receptor

10. Neurotransmitters Serotonin Dopamine Acetylcholine Norepinephrine GABA
Substance P
Endorphins
Hyperlink

13. A Closer Look at Reuptake
the process by which the sending neurons collect the excess neurotransmitter
hyperlink

14. Pathways
40 billion neurons each connect to approx other neurons, thus we end up with possibly 400 trillion synapses
Neurons cluster into neural networks
Neurotransmitter pathways – may use only one or two neurotransmitters and neurotransmitters may affect specific behaviours and emotions
Learning occurs as experience strengthens connections

15. Two key pathways

16. Plasticity
This is the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood
Reorganizing after damage or building new pathways based on new experiences or neurogenesis (new brain cells produced)
Not all damage can be remediated – neurons that are severed usually do not regenerate
Neurons that fire together, wire together
We have synaptic pruning but we also have creation of synapses

17. Teenage Brain
To what extent do you see a mismatch between the teenage brain and how society is set up?
If you could change, if you could have a revolution, how would you change society to fit you?
Can we, or should we, try to save you from yourselves?