PSYCO104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Axon Terminal, Mecha, Avoidance Speech

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCO104
• Professor: James Farley

Document Summary

5 steps for nt action: synthesis, storage, release. B/w axon of sending neuron (presynaptic) and membrane of the receiving (postsynaptic) Via chemical breakdown or reuptake: binding, deactivation. Some nts stim the flow of positively charged ions (na) into a neuron, thus increasing the membrane potential and making it more likely to depolarize and fire an ap. Some nts stim the flow of positively charged ions (k) out of, or negatively charged ions into (cl), the neuron, decreasing the membrane potential. This results in a hyperpolarized state, in which the membrane potential is even more negative than at rest (from -70mv to -72 mv) and therefore less likely to fire an ap. Each neuron is constantly bombarded with inhibitory/excitatory input from others and a delicate balance must be maintained for optimal functioning. Many different specialized chemical messengers (current estimates of 100-150: chemical breakdown: in synapse, reuptake (reabsorbed into the presynaptic axon terminal)