Ch. 3 Vocab (Part 1) Flashcards
A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Neuron
A neuron’s bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
Dendrites
The neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
Axon
A layer of fatty tissue that insulates axons and speeds their impulses
Myelin sheath
A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Action potential
A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired; a resting period after orgasm, during which a man can not receive another
Refractory period
The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
Threshold
A neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing
All-or-none response
A junction b/t two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter
Synapse
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons; when released by the sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
Neurotransmitter
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
Reuptake
Naturally occurring opiates produced by the brain and released through neurotransmitters in response to pain or vigorous exercise (“natural high”)
Endorphins
a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response
Agonist
a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response
Antagonist
the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems
Nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
Central nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body
Peripheral nervous system
bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
Nerves
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
Sensory neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Motor neurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
Interneurons
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
Somatic nervous system
the part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes
Autonomic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
Sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Parasympathetic nervous system
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response
Reflex
this system’s glands secrete another form of chemical messengers, hormones, which travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues, including the brain. When hormones act on the brain, they influence our interest in sex, food, and aggression.
Endocrine system
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
Hormones
glands on top of the kidneys that release epinephrine and norepinephrine (also called adrenaline and noradrenaline). These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar, providing us with a surge of energy, known as the fight-or-flight response. When the emergency passes, the hormones—and the feelings of excitement—linger a while.
Adrenal glands
the endocrine system’s most influential gland; Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
Pituitary glands
tissue destruction; a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
Lesion
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
Electroencephalogram
a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure
CT scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
PET scan
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue; show brain anatomy
MRI
a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; show brain function as well as its structure
fMRI brainstem
a structure of the brain located in the brain stem; primarily responsible for breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and coughing
Medulla
the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Thalamus
a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal
Reticular formation
coordinates voluntary movement and balance and supports learning and memories of such
Cerebellum
neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
Limbic system
Linked to emotion
Amygdala
a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
Hypothalamus
The scientific study of the links b/t biological and psychological processes
Biological psychology
