Chapter 2, 2.1-2.3 Flashcards
Nervous System
a network of cells that carries information to and from the rest of the body
Neuroscience
life-science that deals with the structure and functioning of the brain and neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue that form the nervous system
Biological Psychology or Behavioral Neuroscience
branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning, and it is the primary area associated with the biological perspective in psychology.
Neuron
specialized cell within the nervous system that sends and receives messages within
Dendrites
The part of the neuron that send and receive messages from other cells
Soma
cell body, contains the nucleus and keeps the cell alive and functioning
Axon
the fiber attached to the soma, that carries out the message to other cells
Axon terminals
swellings at the end of the cell which are responsible for communicating with other nerves
Glial Cells
maintain homeostasis and provide support/work with neurons in communication
Myelin sheath
generated by certain glial cells to coat the axon, insulates axons protecting them and speeding up neural transmission (when damaged it causes Sclerosis which leads to difficulty in body/neural functions)
Diffusion
process of ions moving from areas of low concentration to high concentration
Resting Potential
cell is at rest and positively charged sodium ions are stuck outside the neuron
Action Potential
when a neuron is stimulated enough, sodium ions rush into the cell reversing its charge from negative to positive.
sequence of ion channels and membrane potential reversing and then closing/resetting along the cell’s axon
All-or-none
a neuron either receives enough charge above a threshold to fire, or it doesn’t
Synaptic Vesicles
sac-like structures located in the axon terminals, when action potential charge reaches terminal, vesicles release their neurotransmitters into the synapse
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals located within the synaptic vesicles
Synapes
fluid-filled space between the axon terminal of one cell and the dendrite of another
Receptor Sites
proteins that only allow particular molecules to fit inside
Excitatory Synpases
receptor of neurotransmitters that turns cells on
Inhibitory synapses
receptors of neurotransmitters that turn cells off
Acetylcholine (ACh)
stimulates the skeletal muscles to contract and slows contractions in the heart (Curare blocks ACh, leading to paralysis)
Low levels have been associated with Alzeihmer’s
Antagonist
chemical that blocks or reduces the effect of a neurotransmitter (Curare, Caffeine)
Agonist
chemical that mimics or enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter (heroine, morphine)
Dopamine
most commonly associated with reward as well as learning, attention, and movement
too little can lead to Parkinson’s
too much can lead to Schizophrenia
Seratonin
associated with mood, as well as sleep, impulsivity, aggression
too little can lead to depression
too much can lead to sensations of euphoria (MDMA)
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
most commonly associated with inhibitory responses
Glutamate
most commonly associated with excitatory responses
Endorphins
a neuropeptide (like NT is a chemical) that controls pain in the body
Re-uptake
most neurotransmitters get sucked back up into the presynaptic neuron and repackaged into vesicles
Some drugs block the re-uptake process to create an excitatory response
Enzymatic Degradation
enzymes that break apart leftover neurotransmitters (especially ACh)
How medications work (agonist, antagonist, excitatory, inhibitory)
agonist leads to a increased excitatory response
antagonist leads to a decreased excitatory response
(opposite for inhibitory)
