PSYC 181 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Diglyceride, Asthma, Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
Document Summary
Neurons mostly communicate chemically- dendrite on releasing neuron sends neurotransmitters to axon of receiving neuron. Most of what is taught in schools is oversimplified. Synapses are the site of action of most (70%) psychoactive drugs: usually drugs act on receptors of postsynaptic neuron. Basic terminology: soma- cell body, axon- sending site, dendrite- receiving side, synaptic vesicles- packaging for neuron, synaptic cleft- space that neurotransmitters flow across, postsynaptic neuron- receiving side, presynaptic neuron- releasing side, glia- supporting cells. Spines on dendrites are where synapses are found: spines can form and change quickly. Beginning in 15 minutes and completed by 2 hours: so, we can make more of these, unlike very stable proteins. Types of cell-cell junctions: tight junctions- membranes fused together, allowing some ions to cross, gap junctions- cells are close together (2-4 nm) Electrical communication here: chemical synapses- signal sent over synaptic cleft (20-30nm) Chemical change travels down axon, membrane becomes polarized which triggers release of neurotransmitter across synapse.
