Ch 3 Neuroscience

Question 0

Natural selection

Answer 0

The environment selects the fittest organisms

Question 1

Biopsychology

Answer 1

The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior and mental processes

Question 2

Neuron

Answer 2

Cell specialized to receive and transmit information to other cells in the body

Question 3

Sensory neuron

Answer 3

Nerve cell that carries messages from sense receptors toward the central nervous system also called an afferent neuron

Question 4

Motor neuron

Answer 4

Nerve cell that carries messages away from the central nervous system toward the muscle and gland also called efferent neuron

Question 5

Interneuron

Answer 5

A nerve cell that relays messages between nerve cells, especially in the brain and spinal cord

Question 6

Dendrite

Answer 6

A branched fiber that extends outward from the main cell body and carries information into the neuron

Question 7

Axon

Answer 7

In nerve cell an extended fiber that conducts information from the soma to the terminal buttons

Question 8

Resting potential

Answer 8

The electrical charge of the axon in its inactive state, when the neuron is ready to “fire”

Question 9

Action potential

Answer 9

The nerve impulse caused by a change in the electrical charge across the cell membrane of the axon. When the neuron “fires”, this charge travels down the axon and causes neurotransmitter to be released by the terminal buttons

Question 10

All-or-none principle

Answer 10

Refers to the fact that the action potential in the axon occurs either full-blown or not at all

Question 11

Synapse

Answer 11

The microscopic gap that serves as a communication link between neurons. Synapses also occur between neurons and the muscle or glands they serve

Question 12

Synaptic transmission

Answer 12

The relying of information across the synapse by means of chemical neurotransmitters

Question 13

Synaptic vesicle

Answer 13

A small “container” holding neurotransmitter molecules that then connects to the presynaptic membrane, releasing the neurotransmitter into the synapse

Question 14

Glial cells

Answer 14

Cells that bind the neurons together. Glial cells also provide an insulating covering (the myelin sheath) of the axon for some neurons, which facilitates the electrical impulse

Question 15

Nervous system

Answer 15

The entire network of neurons in the body, including the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and their subdivision

Question 16

Central nervous system

Answer 16

Brain and spinal cord

Question 17

Reflex

Answer 17

A simple unlearned response triggered by stimuli

Question 18

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 18

All parts of the nervous system lying outside the the central nervous system including the autonomic and somatic nervous system

Question 19

Somatic nervous system

Answer 19

A division of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information to the central nervous system and also sends voluntary messages to the body’s skeletal muscles

Question 20

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 20

The portion of the peripheral nervous system that sends communications between the central nervous system and the internal organs and glands

Question 21

Sympathetic division

Answer 21

The part of the autonomic nervous system that sends messages to internal and glands that help us respond to stressful and emergency situations

Question 22

Parasympathetic division

Answer 22

The part of the automatic nervous system that monitors the routine operations of the internal organs and returns the body to calmer functioning after arousal by the sympathetic division

Question 23

Agonist

Answer 23

Drug or other chemical that enhances or mimics the effects of neurotransmitters

Question 24

Antagonist

Answer 24

Drug or other chemicals that inhibits the effects of neurotransmitters

Question 25

Neural pathway

Answer 25

Bundle of nerve cells the follow generally the same route and employ the same neurotransmitter