CCP Intro To Psychology Chapter 2 Flashcards
The brain’s special capacity for change
Plasticity
the body’s electrochemical communication circuitry
Nervous System
the brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System
network of nerves that connect the brain and spinal systems to other parts of the body
peripheral nervous system
influences the various organ systems of the body
Sympathetic division
a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger
parasympathetic division
the body’s response to stresser’s
Stress
the circumstances and events that threaten people and tax their coping abilities
Stressers
treelike fibers projecting from a neuron
Dendrites
directs the manufacture of substances that the neuron needs for maintenance and growth
cell body
part of the neuron that carries information away from the cell body towards other cells
axon
a layer of cells containing fat, encases, and insulates most axons
myelin sheath
a voltage between the inside and outside of the axon wall
Resting potential
brief wave of positive charge that sweeps down the axon
Action potential
nerve cells either fire at full strength or they do not
All or nothing principle
tiny spaces between neurons
Synapse
carry information across the synaptic gap to the next neuron
Neurotransmitters
stimulates the firing of neurons and is involved in the action of muscles
Acetylcholine
keeps many neurons from firing
GABA
inhibits the firing of neurons in the central nervous system
norepinephrine
regulation of sleep, mood, attention and learning
serotonin
controls voluntary movement and effects sleep, mood, attention, and learning
dopamine
shield the body from pain and elevate feelings of pleasure
endorphins
a hormone and neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the experience of love and social bonding
oxytocin
