Introduction to Cognitive Psychology - Department of Psychological ...

Prof. Greg Francis 8/12/11Neurons and neurotransmittersPSY 200Greg FrancisLecture 05Neurons!! The brain cells that are responsible for cognitionare neuronsWhy does (nearly) everyonelove Prozac?Purdue UniversityPurdue UniversityInput / outputInput at dendrites!! Electrical signal!! Established by therelative amount ofcharged ions insideversus outside the cellmembrane!! Inputs change theresting potential of thecell!! Output identifies whenthe cell potential hasincreased a lotelectrode-70 millivoltsresting levelPurdue UniversityNA+K+NA+K+!! Changes the cell membranepotential!! which causes furtherchanges in the cell’schemistry!! which causes furtherchanges in the membranepotential!! Strong enough input crossesa threshold and the cell fires!! action potentialhttp://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/neurons_intro/action_potential_1.0.swfPurdue UniversityA neuron!! An action potentialgenerated at thesoma travelsdown the axon tothe terminalsA neuron!! The action potential then affects the membranes ofother cells’ dendritesPurdue UniversityPurdue UniversityPSY 200: Intro. to Cognitive Psychology 1