Chapter 2: Neuroscience Flashcards
Phrenology
Franz Gall, used “bumps” on an individual’s brain to determine their personality.
Biological Psychology
Branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior.
Neuron
A nerve cell that consists of many different parts.
Dendrite
Bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
Axon
Sends messages form cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Myelin Sheath
Covers some axons, speeds up neural impulses.
Action potential
A neural impulse: electrical charge that travels down the axon.
Neurogical Threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.
Neurogical Refractory Period
Recharge time between action potentials.
Synapse / Cleft
Space between axon of sending neuron and dendrite of receiving neuron.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that traverse the synaptic gaps between neurons.
Acetylcholine (a.k.a. Ach)
Enables muscle action, learning, and memory.
Dopamine
Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.
Endorphins
Natural opiates released to respond to pain and vigorous exercise.
Nervous System
Body’s speedy electrochemical information network.
Central Nervous System
Brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System
Links central nervous system with the peripherals of the body.
Nerves
Cables of neurons.
Sensory Neurons
Neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the Central Nervous System.
Motor Neurons
Neurons that send information from the Central Nervous System to glands and muscles.
Interneurons
Connect sensory and motor neurons.
Somatic Nervous System
Voluntary control of our muscles.
Automatic Nervous System
Controls glands and muscles of internal organs.