PSYC100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Postsynaptic Potential, Peripheral Vision, Resting Potential
Document Summary
Action potential: resting potential (resting neuron, neuron not firing, but is ready, polarization inside negative charge/ outside positive charge, firing of a neuron (neural impulse) Ion channels open in membrane (wall of the neuron: positive ions (sodium: na+) rush into neuron, electrical charge in the neuron is now positive. Neural message travels along neuron: change in electrical charge in one area causes a change in electrical charge in the next area. When a neuron is myelinated the neural message travels much faster. Refractory period: period in which neuron will not fire again, negative charge on the inside of the neuron (lower than resting potential) Synaptic messages: post-synaptic potential (psp) = voltage change in receptor site caused by neurotransmitter. Drugs: agonists drug = mimic neurotransmitters and cause action potentials. Eg morphine activates endorphin receptor sites: antagonists = block receptor sites thus neurotransmitters can no longer cause action potentials. Eg drugs to treat schizophrenia block dopamine receptor sites.
