Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind and Consciousness Flashcards
a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
biological psychology
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
neuron
neuron extensions that receive messages and conduct them toward the cell body
dendrites
neuron extension that sends messages to other neurons or cells
axon
a nerve impulse
action potential
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning, thinking, and memory.
glial cells (glia)
junction between the axon tip of a sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of a receiving neuron
synapse
level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
threshold
a neuron’s reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing
all-or-none response
neuron-produced chemicals that cross synapse to carry messages to other neurons or cells
neurotransmitters
chemical, such as opium, morphine, or heroin, that depresses neuron activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
opiate
“morphine within”— natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
endorphins
the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the central and peripheral nervous systems
nervous systems
the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system (CNS)
the sensory and motor neurons connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs
nerves
neuron that carries incoming information from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system
sensory neuron
neuron that carries outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands
motor neuron
neurons within the brain and spinal cord; communicate internally and process information between sensory inputs and motor outputs
interneuron
peripheral nervous system division controlling the body’s skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system
somatic nervous system
peripheral nervous system division controlling the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). its sympathetic subdivision arouses; its parasympathetic
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
autonomic nervous system subdivision that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.
sympathetic nervous system
autonomic nervous system subdivision that calms the body, conserving its energy
parasympathetic nervous system
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as he knee-jerk response
reflex
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
endocrine
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
hormones
pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in time of stress
adrenal glands