Chapter 2- Biological Perspective Flashcards
A branch of the life-sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons nerves and nervous tissue
Neuroscience
An extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body
Nervous system
Branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning
Biological psychology or behavioral neuroscience
The brain and spinal cord
Central nervous system
All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself
Peripheral nervous system
Interprets and stores information and sends orders to muscles, glands, and organs
Brain
A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes
Spinal cord
Division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands
Autonomic nervous system
Division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the central nervous system and from the CNS to the voluntary muscles of the body
Somatic nervous system
Part of the ANS that with stores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day to day functioning of the organs and glands
Parasympathetic division (fight or flight system)
Part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal
Sympathetic division of autonomic nervous system
The basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system
Neuron
Branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons
Dendrite
The cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell
Soma
Tubelike structure that carries the neural message to other cells
Axon
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
Glial cells
Fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse
Myelin
Bundles of axons coated in Myelin that travel together through the body
Nerves
Process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
Diffusion
Produce myelin in the brain and spinal cord
Oligodendrocytes
Produce myelin in the neurons of the body
Schwann cells
Small spaces on the axon that are not covered in myelin
Node
A disease where the myelin sheath is destroyed (possibly by the individual’s own immune system), which leads to diminished or complete loss of neural functioning in those damaged cells
Multiple sclerosis
Charged particles
Ion
This means some substances that are outside the cell can enter through tiny openings in the membrane, while other substances in the cell can go outside of the cell membrane
Semi permeable
The state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse
Resting potential
The release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon
Action potential
Referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all
All or none
During the resting potential, the neuron is negatively charged inside and positively charged outside
The neuron at rest
The action potential occurs when positive sodium ions enter the cell, causing a reversal of the electrical charge from negative to positive
The neural impulse
As the action potential moves down the axon toward the axon terminals, the cell areas behind the action potential return to the resting state of a negative charge as the positive sodium ions are pumped to the outside of the cell, and the positive potassium ions rapidly be
The neural impulse continues
May also be called terminal buttons, rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals
Synaptic knob
Branches at the end of the axon
Axon terminals
Saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals
Synaptic vesicles
Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell
neurotransmitter
Microscopic fluid filled space between the synaptic knob of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell
Synaptic gap or synapse
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
Receptor sites
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire
Excitatory synapse
Synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing
Inhibitory synapse
Found at the synapses between neurons and muscle cells, serves to stimulate the skeletal muscles to contract but actually slows contractions in the heart muscle
Acetylcholine
A drug used by South American Indians on their blowdarts that gets into the nervous system and paralyzes the victim by being an antagonist for acetylcholine
Curare
Chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’a response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters
Antagonists
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
Agonists
Process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles
Reuptake
Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in memory and controls muscle contractions
Acetylcholine
Excitatory or inhibitory; involved and mood, sleep, and appetite
Serotonin
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter; involved in sleep and inhibits movement
GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid)
Major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning, memory formation, and nervous system development
Glutamate
Mainly excitatory; involved in arousal and mood
Norepinephrine
Excitatory or inhibitory; involved in control of movement and sensations of pleasure
Dopamine
Inhibitory neural regulators; involved in pain relief
Endorphins
A complex protein that is manufactured by cells
Enzyme
Process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor
Enzymatic degradation
A neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system
Afferent (sensory) neurons
A neuron carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body
Efferent (motor) neuron
A neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the afferent neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the efferent neurons. make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain
Interneuron
The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in a reflex action
Reflex arc
The ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma
Neuroplasticity