Summary of "AP Psychology: 2.3-2.4 The Nervous System, Neurons, and Neural Firing [Part 2]"

Summary of "AP Psychology: 2.3-2.4 The Nervous System, Neurons, and Neural Firing [Part 2]"

Main Ideas and Concepts

  1. Introduction and Context
    • Miss Fenton from Stevenson High School addresses sound issues in the original video and re-records the lesson faster for clarity.
    • The video focuses on reviewing an AP Psychology FRQ (Free Response Question) and covering nervous system content, neural firing, and neurotransmission.
  2. FRQ Review and Tips
    • Emphasis on the "apply" part of FRQs: applying psychological terms to specific scenarios.
    • Example scenario: Freddy Schmidt struggles to watch AP review videos due to nervousness, anger, and hunger.
    • Practice pacing for AP exam: Concept application questions will have 8 concepts; research-based questions will have 6.
    • Suggested strategy: Write applications first, then add definitions to save time.
    • Encouragement to practice under timed conditions.
  3. Key Terms Applied to Freddy’s Situation
    • Epigenetics: Study of how environmental factors affect gene expression without changing DNA; influences can be inherited.
    • Hypothalamus: Limbic system structure regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, fight-or-flight, sex drive, and hormones via the pituitary gland.
      • Application: Freddy’s hunger driven by Hypothalamus activity (lateral Hypothalamus signals hunger; ventromedial signals fullness).
    • Pancreas: Endocrine gland regulating blood sugar by secreting insulin; after Freddy eats, insulin helps use/store glucose.
  4. Overview of the Nervous System
    • Two main parts:
    • PNS subdivisions:
      • Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements.
      • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Controls involuntary functions; has two branches:
        • Sympathetic Nervous System: Fight-or-flight response (increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, dilates pupils).
        • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Rest-and-digest response (lowers heart rate, increases digestion).
  5. Neural Firing and Neuron Structure
    • Neurons are basic nervous system cells; supported by glial cells (produce myelin, provide nutrition, remove toxins, aid memory).
    • Neuron parts:
      • Dendrites with receptor sites (lock), receive Neurotransmitters (key).
      • Axon covered with myelin sheath (insulates, speeds transmission).
      • Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in myelin that allow faster signal transmission via saltatory conduction.
  6. Phases of Neural Communication Within a Cell
    • Resting Potential: Neuron is polarized; sodium ions outside, potassium ions inside; gates closed; approx. -70 mV inside.
    • Action Potential: Gates open; sodium rushes in, potassium out; depolarization causes inside to become positive (~+40 mV); impulse travels down axon.
    • Refractory Period: Repolarization; sodium-potassium pumps restore ion balance; neuron temporarily hyperpolarized before returning to resting state.
  7. Communication Between Neurons
    • Neurotransmitters released from presynaptic terminal buttons into synapse.
    • Neurotransmitters bind to postsynaptic receptor sites (lock and key).
    • Excess Neurotransmitters are broken down or reabsorbed (reuptake).
    • Postsynaptic potentials:
      • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials (EPSP): Slight depolarization, promote firing.
      • Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials (IPSP): Slight hyperpolarization, inhibit firing.
    • Neuron fires if EPSP minus IPSP exceeds threshold (all-or-none principle).
  8. Hormones vs. Neurotransmitters
    • Hormones travel through bloodstream (slower, longer distance).
    • Neurotransmitters travel across synapses (very short distances).
    • Examples of hunger-related hormones not secreted by endocrine glands:
    • Other hormones:
    • Norepinephrine acts as both neurotransmitter and hormone (fight-or-flight response).
  9. Major Neurotransmitters and Their Functions
    • Glutamate: Primary excitatory neurotransmitter; crucial for long-term potentiation (LTP) and

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