module 9-11 vocab Flashcards
the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes
biological psychology
a nerve cell, the basic building block of the nervous system
neuron
a neurons busy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
dendrites
the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
axon
a fatty tissue later encasing the axons of some neurons
myelin sheath
a neural impulse, brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
action potential
a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired
refractory period
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
threshold
a neurons reaction of either firing or not firing
all or none response
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite, or the cell body of the receiving neuron
synapse
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
neurotransmitters
a neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
reuptake
natural opiate like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure
endorphins
a molecule that stimulates a respond by binding to a receptor site
agonist
a molecule that inhibits or blocks a response by binding to a receptor site
antagonist
the body’s electrochemical communication network
nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the nervous system with muscles
nerves
neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
sensory (afferent) neurons
neurons that carry outgoing info from the brain the the muscles
motor (efferent) neurons
neurons within the brain and spinal card that communicate internally
interneurons
the division of the peripheral nervous system
somatic nervous system
part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles
autonomic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system the arouses the body
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body
parasympathetic nervous system
a simple automatic response to a sensory stimulus
reflex
the body slow chemical communication system
endocrine system
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands
hormones
a pair of endocrine glands that help arouse the body
adrenal glands
the endocrine systems most influential gland
pituitary gland
