PSYC 2410 Chapter Notes - Chapter All: Behavioural Genetics, Pharmacology, Atomoxetine

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2410
• Professor: Boyer Winters

Document Summary

Neurons can be referred to as electro-chemical transducers" because they convert electrical signals (i. e. , action potentials) into chemical signals through the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters typically travel across the synaptic cleft from the pre- synaptic to the post-synaptic neuron, where they bind to receptor proteins to initiate new cellular events. Classical neurotransmitters are relatively small molecules that operate predominantly according to the fundamental features of synapses that we have already discussed. Behavioural pharmacology deals with the e ects of drugs on neurotransmitter systems and behaviours. Behavioural genetics concerns the study of the relationship between genetic factors and behaviour. Gaba, however, appears to play an exclusive role in neurotransmission and is derived from the modi cation of glutamate. The amino acid neurotransmitters, perhaps more than any other neurotransmitters that we will discuss, are released primarily at directed synapses and produce relatively fast-acting e ects on post-synaptic neurons. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.