Chapter 2- Neural And Hormonal Systems

Question 1

Biological perspective

Answer 1

Concerned with the links between biology and behavior. Includes psychologist Meir king in neuroscience, behavior genetics, and evolutionary psychology. These researchers may call themselves behavioral neuroscientist, neuropsychologist, behavior genetics, or biopsychologist.

Question 2

Neuron

Answer 2

A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.

Question 3

Dendrites

Answer 3

A neurons bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

The neuron extension that passes messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.

Question 5

Myelin sheath

Answer 5

A fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing the axons of some neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed as neural impulses hop from one mode to the next.

Question 6

Glial cells

Answer 6

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role In learning, thinking, memory.

Question 7

Action potential

Answer 7

A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.

Question 8

Refractory period

Answer 8

A period of inactivity after a neuron has fired.

Question 9

Threshold

Answer 9

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Question 10

All or none response

Answer 10

A neurons reaction of either firing or not firing.

Question 11

Synapse

Answer 11

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called synaptic gap or synaptic cleft.

Question 12

Neurotransmitters

Answer 12

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

Question 13

Reuptake

Answer 13

A neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron.

Question 14

Endorphins

Answer 14

“Morphine within”-natural, opiate-like, neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

Question 15

Acetylcholine ACh

Answer 15

Enables muscle action, learning and memory.

Question 16

Dopamine

Answer 16

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Question 17

Serotonin

Answer 17

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Question 18

Noerinephrine

Answer 18

Helps control alertness and arousal

Question 19

GABA-gamma-aminobutyric-acid

Answer 19

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Question 20

Glutamate

Answer 20

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Question 21

Agonist

Answer 21

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action

Question 22

Antagonist

Answer 22

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitters action.

Question 23

Nervous system

Answer 23

The body’s speedy electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Question 24

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 24

The brain and spinal cord.

Question 25

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 25

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.

Question 26

Nerves

Answer 26

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

Question 27

Sensory neurons (afferent)

Answer 27

Neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Question 28

Motor neurons (efferent)

Answer 28

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands.

Question 29

Interneurons

Answer 29

Neurons within the brain and spinal cord; communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs.

Question 30

Somatic nervous system

Answer 30

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.

Question 31

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Answer 31

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs. It’s sympathetic division arouses; it parasympathetic division calms.

Question 32

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 32

The division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy.

Question 33

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 33

The division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy.

Question 34

Reflex

Answer 34

A simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.

Question 35

Endocrine system

Answer 35

The body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Question 36

Hormones

Answer 36

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

Question 37

Adrenal glands

Answer 37

A pair of endocrine glands that sit just about the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress.

Question 38

Pituitary gland

Answer 38

The endocrine systems most influential gland. Under the influence of hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and other endocrine glands.