Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Intro to Psych > Biological: Neurons, etc > Flashcards

Biological: Neurons, etc Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

nervous system

A

an extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

neuroscience

A

a branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and functions of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

biological psychology OR behavioral neuroscience

A

branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

neuron

A

the basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that recieves and sends messages within that system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

dendrites

A

branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

soma

A

the cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

axon

A

tubelike structure that carries that neural message to other cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

glial cells

A

cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and, during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

myelin

A

fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

nerves

A

bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

diffusion

A

process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

resting potential

A

the state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

action potential

A

the release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

all-or-none

A

referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

synaptic knob

A

rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

axon terminals

A

branches at the end of the axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

synaptic vesicles

A

saclike structures found inside the synaptic know containing chemicals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

neurotransmitter

A

chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

synapse (synaptic gap)

A

microscopic fluid-filled space between the synaptic knob of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

receptor sites

A

three-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

excitatory synapse

A

synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing

22
Q

antagonists

A

chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters

23
Q

agonists

A

chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell

24
Q

reuptake

A

process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles

25
Q

enzymatic degradation

A

process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor

26
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord

27
Q

spinal cord

A

a long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for the very fast, lifesaving reflexes

28
Q

afferent (sensory) neuron

A

a neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system

29
Q

efferent (motor) neuron

A

a neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body

30
Q

interneuron

A

a neuron found in the center of the the spinal cord that receives information from the afferent (sensory) neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the efferent (motor) neurons; interneurons also make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain

31
Q

reflex arc

A

the connection of the afferent (sensory) neurons to the interneurons to the efferent (motor) neuron, resulting in a reflex action

32
Q

neuroplasticity

A

the ability within the brain to constantly change both the stucture and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma

33
Q

stem cells

A

special cells found in all the tissues of the body that are capable of manufacturing other cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage or wear and tear

34
Q

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

all nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself

35
Q

somatic nervous system

A

division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the central nervous system and from the central nervous system to the voluntary muscles of the body

36
Q

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands

37
Q

sensory pathway

A

nerves coming from the sensory organs to the central nervous system consisting of afferent neurons

38
Q

motor pathway

A

nerves coming from the central nervous system to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons

39
Q

sympathetic division (fight-or-flight system)

A

part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal

40
Q

parasympathetic division

A

part of the autonomic nervous system that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands

41
Q

endocrine glands

A

glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream

42
Q

hormones

A

chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands

43
Q

pituitary gland

A

gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland)

44
Q

pineal gland

A

endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secretes melatonin

45
Q

thyroid gland

A

endocrine gland found in the neck; regulates metabolism

46
Q

pancreas

A

endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood

47
Q

gonads

A

sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction

48
Q

ovaries

A

the female gonads

49
Q

testes

A

the male gonads

50
Q

adrenal glands

A

endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occur during adolescence

Intro to Psych (22 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions