PSYCHOLOGY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY BIOPSYCHOLOGY: NEUROTRANSMISSION

PSYCHOLOGY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY BIOPSYCHOLOGY: NEUROTRANSMISSION
THE LIFE CYCLE OF A NEUROTRANSMITTER

This module aligns with the following course objectives: 1 & 4

MODULE OBJECTIVES:

You will apply the process of neurotransmission to an analysis of the use of technology, and

you will describe how conformity, compliance, and obedience apply to the use of technology. The ability to do so will be measured by the completion of the following tasks:

TASKS:

1. Please read this info about the anatomy of the neuron.
2. Please watch this video, which discusses the anatomy of the neuron and the chemical processes of neurotransmission:
3. Please watch this video, which addresses the social influences on human behaviour- conformity, compliance, and obedience:
4. Drawing and labelling your own neuron is a useful exercise to learn the following parts and their functions:

   ANATOMY OF THE NEURON

   1. CELL BODY: The main part of the neuron-this houses the nucleus. It is filled

      with fluid and important chemical reactions take place here.

   2. NUCLEUS: The “brain” of the neuron. This contains the DNA.
   3. CELL MEMBRANE: A semi-permeable structure that gives the neuron structural integrity and allows some passage into and out of the cell body.
   4. AXON: A structure that carries the message AWAY from the cell body.
   5. MYELIN SHEATH: A fatty covering of the axon. The more myelin one has

      the faster and more efficiently the neuron will fire.

   6. AXON TERMINAL: The end of the axon.

7. VESICLES: Storage chambers within the axon terminal that hold neurotransmitters until they are needed.
8. DENDRITES: The “branches” that extend outward from the cell body. These RECEIVE the message from a previous neuron.
9. RECEPTORS: Structures within the dendrites that receive the neurotransmitters.

   LOCK AND KEY THEORY

PSYCHOLOGY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY BIOPSYCHOLOGY: NEUROTRANSMISSION

Neurotransmitters have a chemical structure that “fits” the receptor like a specific key fits into its specific lock. Therefore, a dopamine molecule will occupy and fire a dopamine neuron, but will not work with a norepinephrine neuron.

5. Please be sure to review the PowerPoints regarding the “Life Cycle of a Neurotransmitter”-the following is text of this process:

1. PRECUSORS: These are the raw ingredients for a neurotransmitter.
2. UPTAKE: This is the process by which the precursors move through the cell

   membrane into the cell body.

3. SYNTHESIS: This is the process by which the precursors are transformed into

   the specific neurotransmitters.

4. NEUROTRANSMITTER: This is the result of the precursors being chemically

   altered into an NT.

5. STORAGE: The completed neurotransmitters are held in the vesicles until they

   are needed.

6. RELEASE: Once the message in the form of charged ions reach the axon

   terminal (this is the “electrical” part of neurotransmission), the vesicles move and fuse with the terminal membrane. This opens a gate, which allows the neurotransmitters to enter the synapse.

7. BINDING: Some of the neurotransmitters will cross the synapse and occupy the receptor site of the next neuron. This allows the message in the form of the charged ions to also cross the synapse and “fire” the next neuron. This is the “chemical” part of neurotransmission.
8. RE-UPTAKE: In order to stop a neuron from firing, the neurotransmitters must be cleared from the synapse. One way this is occurs is through re-uptake, which is when the excess neurotransmitter is brought back into the vesicles for storage.
9. METABOLISM: This is the other way to clear the synapse. Specific enzymes will destroy the leftover neurotransmitter.

PSYCHOLOGY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY BIOPSYCHOLOGY: NEUROTRANSMISSION

Mono-amine Oxidase is an example of an enzyme-this metabolizes dopamine and norepinephrine.

THE FIRING OF A NEURON

1. RESTING POTENTIAL (or “POLARIZED”): the neuron has a slight negative charge within the cell body. The ions within the cell body have a negative charge and the ions outside the cell body have a positive charge.

2. ACTION POTENTIAL (or “DE-POLARIZED”): the positive ions cross the cell membrane into the cell body giving it a positive charge. This causes the neuron to “fire” and send the signal to the next neuron.

3. REFRACTORY PERIOD: after firing, the neuron “rests” briefly and then re-sets to the resting potential-see #1 above

6. Please read through this information about specific neurotransmitters and their function. NOTE: INHIBITORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS-slow down the central

   nervous system. GABA is an example

   EXCITORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS-“speed up” the central nervous system. Norepinephrine is an example.

7. Please read this article-pay particular attention to how the process of neurotransmission and social influences impact our use of technology:
8. Finally, please post to Discussion 6 by the due date.

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