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Synapses: A Comprehensive Overview of Neural Communication, Slides of Biological Psychology

A detailed explanation of synapses, the specialized junctions between neurons, and the process of chemical transmission. It covers key concepts such as temporal and spatial summation, excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, the discovery of chemical transmission, and the role of neurotransmitters. The document also explores the different types of synaptic effects, including ionotropic and metabotropic effects, and the role of neuropeptides in long-term changes in behavior. Finally, it discusses the inactivation and reuptake of neurotransmitters and the importance of negative feedback mechanisms in regulating synaptic transmission.

Typology: Slides

2024/2025

Uploaded on 09/20/2024

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BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
CHAPTER 2
SYNAPSES
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Download Synapses: A Comprehensive Overview of Neural Communication and more Slides Biological Psychology in PDF only on Docsity!

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

CHAPTER 2

SYNAPSES

THE SYNAPSE

  • (^) Synapse - Specialized gap that exists

between neurons

 Neurons communicate by transmitting chemicals

across junction

THE SYNAPSE

 Sherrington

 Studied reflex arc to see how neurons communicate
 Difference in speed of conduction in a reflex arc from
action potentials

TEMPORAL SUMMATION

 Repeated stimuli over a short period of time produce a

stronger response

 can have a cumulative effect and produce nerve impulse when
single stimulus too weak

TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL SUMMATION

TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL SUMMATION

 Critical to brain functioning

 Both ordinarily occur together

 Order of a series of axons influences results

INHIBITORY SYNAPSES

 During reflex, dog’s leg pinched retracts while other 3 extend

 Interneuron in spinal cord

 (^) send excitatory message to flexor muscles of 1 leg & extensor muscles of other 3 legs  (^) inhibit extensor muscles in pinched leg & flexor muscles of other 3 legs

INHIBITORY POSTSYNAPTIC POTENTIAL

(IPSP)

 Temporary hyperpolarization of
membrane
 Synaptic input selectively opens gates
for K
to leave cell, or CL
to enter cells
 Active “brake” suppresses excitation

THE DISCOVERY OF CHEMICAL TRANSMISSION AT SYNAPSES

 Neurotransmitters: chemicals that travel across

synapse & allow communication between neurons

 Chemical transmission predominates throughout nervous
system

THE SEQUENCE OF CHEMICAL EVENTS AT

THE SYNAPSE

 (^) Neuron synthesizes chemicals (neurotransmitters)  (^) Vesicles: neurotransmitters are held for release  (^) Action potentials  (^) Exocytosis: bursts of release of neurotransmitter from presynaptic terminal into synaptic cleft (caused by calcium entering cell)  (^) Released molecules diffuse across cleft, attach to receptors, & alter activity of postsynaptic neuron

RELEASE AND DIFFUSION OF

TRANSMITTERS

 Most neurons release at least 2+

different kinds of neurotransmitters

 Neurons may respond to more

types of neurotransmitters than

released

 Effects of neurotransmitters vary

depending on postsynaptic

receptor

IONOTROPIC EFFECTS

 Occurs when a neurotransmitter attaches to a type of

receptor and immediately opens ion channels

 Most effects:

 Occur very quickly & are very short lasting
 Rely mostly on glutamate (excitatory) or GABA (inhibitory)
 Involved in processing visual and auditory stimuli

NEUROPEPTIDES

Often called neuromodulators

 Release requires repeated stimulation
 Released peptides trigger other neurons to release same
neuropeptide
 Diffuse widely & affect many neurons via metabotropic
receptors
 Hunger, thirst, & other long-term changes in behavior &
experience

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF

NEUROPEPTIDES

Neuropeptides Neurotransmitters Place synthesized Cell body Presynaptic terminal Place released Mostly from dendrites, also cell body and sides of axon Axon terminal Released by Repeated depolarization Single action potential Effect on neighboring cells They release the neuropeptide too No effect on neighbors Spread of effects Diffuse to wide area Effect mostly on receptors of the adjacent postsynaptic cell Duration of effects Minutes Milliseconds to seconds