Chapter 2 - Biology & Psychology Flashcards
(144 cards)
What is the physiology of psychology?
I think… Therefore I am…
What is the nervous system?
System of nerves the control thought processes, heartbeat, visual motor coordination, and many other abilities
What system enables us to receive information from the world and to act on that world?
Nervous system
What is a specialized cell that conducts impulses through the nervous system?
Neuron
How do you neurons conduct electrochemical signals to each other?
Electrically across the cell and chemically between the cell
What is the purpose of glial cells?
Help make the brain more efficient by holding the neurons together (like the glue)
Waste removal system of dead neurons
How many neurons does a typical human brain contain?
More than 100 billion at birth and 10-100 trillion connections
What creates Myelin sheath coating for axons?
Glial cells
What three primary parts are neurons composed of?
Soma, dendrite, axon
What is the cell body also called?
Soma
What are the branch like extensions of a neuron the receives signals from other neurons?
Dendrite
What is the slender tail like extension of the neuron the transmit signals to the dendrites?
Axon
What is the white study coating wrapped around axons that acts as insulation?
Myelin
What are the functions of Myelin?
Create insulator barrier and enables impulses to move much faster
What minimizes energy loss and minimizes interference from surrounding neurons?
Myelin
What are afferent neurons?
Relay information from the senses to the brain and spinal cord
What are efferent neurons?
Send information from the central nervous system to the glands and muscles
What are interneurons?
Carry information between neurons in the central nervous system
What are electro chemical messages that travel within neurons?
Neural impulses
How fast can a neural impulse travel?
Up to 360 km/hr
What is the difference in electrical charge that readies a neuron for firing?
Polarization
What is a neurons electrical potential when it isn’t responding to other neurons?
Resting potential
What occurs when an area on the surface of the resting neuron is chemically stimulated by other neurons?
Depolarization
What is the electrical potential when a neural impulse is being conducted along a neuron’s axon?
Action potential