Intro to Psychology | Introductory Themes" into Core Science
SEM
01
Biological basis of behavior
Basic Structure
A synapse is the gap between two neurons where signals are
transmitted. Neurotransmitters facilitate chemical transmission
• structures and functions of the body, particularly the across this gap.
brain and nervous system, determine an individual's
actions and mental processes. Element Description
Synapse The space between two neurons
Central Nervous System: Brain and Spine
Peripheral Nervous System: Network of Nerves Neurotransmitters Chemicals that transmit signals
across the synapse
Basic Unit of a Neuron
Chemical Process of neurotransmitters
o First discovered by Santiago Ramon Y Cajal. Transmission releasing into the synapse
Neurons are specialized cells that send messages
throughout the body.
Synapses and Neurotransmitters
- Synapse is the small gap between the axon
Component Function
of a sending neuron and the dendrite of a
receiving neuron
Brain Processes information, makes - Action potential (electrical messaging)
decisions, coordinates reaches the end of an axon, it causes
behavior terminal buttons to release chemical
messengers called neurotransmitters into
Nervous Connects the brain to the body, the synapse.
System facilitates signal
transmission
Messages can be excitatory or inhibitory
Neurons serve as the fundamental communication units in the
nervous system, responsible for sending messages throughout
the body. They use two types of signals:
Signal Type Characteristics
Electrical Rapid transmission within a neuron
Chemical Slow transmission between neurons at
synapses
Neurons transmit electrical signals within themselves and convert
these to chemical signals at synapses, the junctions between
neurons, to pass information onward.
, Neurotransmitters are blockers and inhibitors.
● Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known for its calming
effects and mood regulation.
- Low serotonin levels are linked to Neuroadaptation: the brain attempts to protect itself from
depression and anxiety. being overwhelmed by powerful drugs.
- disrupt mood regulation
1. Receptor downregulation (less receptors)
● Norepinephrine and epinephrine are associated with 2. Neurotransmitter suppression.
alertness, arousal, and stress response.
- prepare the body to react to situations, This may lead to tolerance and withdrawal
often referred to as the "fight or flight"
response. - People with addiction can't just stop using drugs using
- help your body respond quickly. willpower , people with disorder don't lack willpower; their
brain has been physically altered. Without the drug, their
● Acetylcholine is crucial for muscle contractions and brain's reward and motivation systems simply cannot
memory function normally.
- Muscle Contractions: It signals
muscles to contract, enabling movement.
Think of it like a key that unlocks the
muscle's ability to move.
- Memory: It plays a significant role in
learning and memory formation. It helps
consolidate and retain new information
● Glutamate: most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. Nervous System
- Crucial to learning, memory, and
cognition. Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Too much = cell death (excitotoxicity); - Brain: about 3 pounds (1.3 kg) and billions of neurons in
stroke, brain injury, and average adults
neurodegenerative diseases.
● GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): primary inhibitory - Spinal Cord: a bundle of neurons the thickness of a pencil
neurotransmitter. running down the brain to the lower back
- Controls anxiety, stress, and fear.
- "Downers" can work like or enhance the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
effect of GABA.
Neurons with long axons and dendrites branching out to
● Dopamine: modulatory neurotransmitter; reward and
extremities.
pleasure
- Motivation, movement, and emotional
Division of the Peripheral Nervous system
responses.
- Imbalances associated with Parkinson's
Somatic Division:
disease (due to a lack of
dopamine-producing neurons),
- Control of voluntary movements (e.g., moving your eyes to
schizophrenia (linked to excessive
read or hands to scroll)
dopamine activity), and addiction.
- Communication of information to and from the sense
organs.
Lock and Key Mechanism
Autonomic Division:
Neurotransmitters (lock) and receptor sites (key) are specific to
each other. Agonist drugs can mimic neurotransmitters by fitting - Controls the parts of the body that function involuntarily
into receptor sites (think of a duplicate key). without our awareness and are essential for survival (e.g.,
heart, blood vessels, glands, lungs, and other organs).
- Some agonists may not look like the key, but they can bind
to the same receptors and to enhance effects.
- Alcohol and GABA
a. Sympathetic Division - Acts to prepare the body
Some indirect agonists prevent reuptake and inhibits breakdown. for action in stressful emergency situations,
engaging all the organism's resources to respond
- Ampethamine and dopamine to a threat (freeze-flight-fight)
b. Parasympathetic Division -Acts to calm the
Antagonists bind to receptor sites without activating them. They body after an emergency, Rest and Digest
SEM
01
Biological basis of behavior
Basic Structure
A synapse is the gap between two neurons where signals are
transmitted. Neurotransmitters facilitate chemical transmission
• structures and functions of the body, particularly the across this gap.
brain and nervous system, determine an individual's
actions and mental processes. Element Description
Synapse The space between two neurons
Central Nervous System: Brain and Spine
Peripheral Nervous System: Network of Nerves Neurotransmitters Chemicals that transmit signals
across the synapse
Basic Unit of a Neuron
Chemical Process of neurotransmitters
o First discovered by Santiago Ramon Y Cajal. Transmission releasing into the synapse
Neurons are specialized cells that send messages
throughout the body.
Synapses and Neurotransmitters
- Synapse is the small gap between the axon
Component Function
of a sending neuron and the dendrite of a
receiving neuron
Brain Processes information, makes - Action potential (electrical messaging)
decisions, coordinates reaches the end of an axon, it causes
behavior terminal buttons to release chemical
messengers called neurotransmitters into
Nervous Connects the brain to the body, the synapse.
System facilitates signal
transmission
Messages can be excitatory or inhibitory
Neurons serve as the fundamental communication units in the
nervous system, responsible for sending messages throughout
the body. They use two types of signals:
Signal Type Characteristics
Electrical Rapid transmission within a neuron
Chemical Slow transmission between neurons at
synapses
Neurons transmit electrical signals within themselves and convert
these to chemical signals at synapses, the junctions between
neurons, to pass information onward.
, Neurotransmitters are blockers and inhibitors.
● Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known for its calming
effects and mood regulation.
- Low serotonin levels are linked to Neuroadaptation: the brain attempts to protect itself from
depression and anxiety. being overwhelmed by powerful drugs.
- disrupt mood regulation
1. Receptor downregulation (less receptors)
● Norepinephrine and epinephrine are associated with 2. Neurotransmitter suppression.
alertness, arousal, and stress response.
- prepare the body to react to situations, This may lead to tolerance and withdrawal
often referred to as the "fight or flight"
response. - People with addiction can't just stop using drugs using
- help your body respond quickly. willpower , people with disorder don't lack willpower; their
brain has been physically altered. Without the drug, their
● Acetylcholine is crucial for muscle contractions and brain's reward and motivation systems simply cannot
memory function normally.
- Muscle Contractions: It signals
muscles to contract, enabling movement.
Think of it like a key that unlocks the
muscle's ability to move.
- Memory: It plays a significant role in
learning and memory formation. It helps
consolidate and retain new information
● Glutamate: most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. Nervous System
- Crucial to learning, memory, and
cognition. Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Too much = cell death (excitotoxicity); - Brain: about 3 pounds (1.3 kg) and billions of neurons in
stroke, brain injury, and average adults
neurodegenerative diseases.
● GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): primary inhibitory - Spinal Cord: a bundle of neurons the thickness of a pencil
neurotransmitter. running down the brain to the lower back
- Controls anxiety, stress, and fear.
- "Downers" can work like or enhance the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
effect of GABA.
Neurons with long axons and dendrites branching out to
● Dopamine: modulatory neurotransmitter; reward and
extremities.
pleasure
- Motivation, movement, and emotional
Division of the Peripheral Nervous system
responses.
- Imbalances associated with Parkinson's
Somatic Division:
disease (due to a lack of
dopamine-producing neurons),
- Control of voluntary movements (e.g., moving your eyes to
schizophrenia (linked to excessive
read or hands to scroll)
dopamine activity), and addiction.
- Communication of information to and from the sense
organs.
Lock and Key Mechanism
Autonomic Division:
Neurotransmitters (lock) and receptor sites (key) are specific to
each other. Agonist drugs can mimic neurotransmitters by fitting - Controls the parts of the body that function involuntarily
into receptor sites (think of a duplicate key). without our awareness and are essential for survival (e.g.,
heart, blood vessels, glands, lungs, and other organs).
- Some agonists may not look like the key, but they can bind
to the same receptors and to enhance effects.
- Alcohol and GABA
a. Sympathetic Division - Acts to prepare the body
Some indirect agonists prevent reuptake and inhibits breakdown. for action in stressful emergency situations,
engaging all the organism's resources to respond
- Ampethamine and dopamine to a threat (freeze-flight-fight)
b. Parasympathetic Division -Acts to calm the
Antagonists bind to receptor sites without activating them. They body after an emergency, Rest and Digest
