1. 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
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2. Neurotransmitters!
AP Psychology

3. Lock & Key Mechanism
Neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the receiving neuron in a key-lock mechanism.
OBJECTIVE 6| Explain how drugs and other chemicals affect neurotransmission, and describe the contrasting effects of agonists and antagonists.

4. Neurotransmitters
Chemicals released by the terminal buttons through the synapse
There are dozens of neurotransmitters (NTs) in the neurons of the body
NTs can either be excitatory or inhibitory

5. The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body
Acetylcholine:
Excitatory
Its function is motor movement (causes muscles to contract) and memory
When blocked: paralysis (hemlock, bolutin, black widows)
Too little:
Alzheimers

7. The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body
Dopamine:
Inhibitory
Motor movement, alertness, & PLEASURE
Lack of Dopamine= Parkinson’s disease
Too much dopamine= Schizophrenia

8. The Major Neurotransmitters in the Brain
GABA:
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Hunger and sleep
The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain
Too little: Huntington’s disease, anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia
Too much: sleepy (alcohol)

9. The Major Neurotransmitters in the Brain
Glutamate:
The most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain
Important for memory
Too much== ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), migraines, seizures

10. The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body
Seratonin:
Inhibitory in pain pathways
Involved in sleep, mood, appetite, and sensory perception
Too little== Depression,
Too much== anxiety, limits dreaming, anorexia

11. The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body
Endorphins
Short for "endogenous (produced within) morphine." 
Structurally very similar to the opioids (opium, morphine, heroin, etc.) (Same thing that helps bears hibernate!)
Deals with pain control
We’ve become addicted to endorphin-caused feelings

13. Neurotransmitters fit like chemical keys in chemical locks.

14. 2 Categories of neurotransmitters: Excitatory and Inhibitory
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.

15. Agonists
aGOnist

16. Antagonists
anTAGonist

17. Neurotransmission and Drugs
Drugs can affect synapses at a variety of sites and in a variety of ways, including:
Drugs mimic NT
Increasing the number of synapses
Release of NT from neurons with or without synapses
Produce more/less NT than what is normal
Prevent vesicles from releasing NT
Block intake of NT or block release of NT