Neuroscience and Behavior Flashcards
Dendrite
Receive information from other neurons and relay it to the cell body
Axon
Carries information to other neurons, muscles, or glands
Myelin sheath
Insulating layer of fatty material around axon
Conduction
Movement of electrical signal within neuron (from dendrites to cell body then through axon)
Transmission
Movement of signal from one neuron to another
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Enables muscle action, learning, memory (AChon)
Dopamine
Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, arousal
Norephephrine
Helps control alertness and arousal
GABA
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter
Glutamate
Major excitatory neurotransmitter
Neuron
Functional units of the nervous system that send and receive signals
Glia
Support cells found in nervous system (glue) Maintain homeostasis and support, nourish, and protect neurons
Sensory neuron
Receive information from external world, bring info to brain thru spinal cord
Motor neuron
carry signals from the spinal cord to muscles to produce movement
Interneuron
connect sensory neurons, motor neurons, or other interneurons
Resting potential
The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell’s membrane (-70mv)
Active potential
Electric signal that is conducted along th length of a neuron’s axon to a synapse
Refractory period
Time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated
Reuptake
Neurotransmitters are absorbed by the terminal buttons of presynaptic neurons or neighbouring glial cells
Enzyme deactivation
Specific enzymes break down specific neurotransmitters
Diffusion
Neurotransmitters drift out of the synapse and cannot reach receptors
Agonist
Chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter (increases production & release of neurotransmitter, blocks reuptake)