Psych Chapter 2 Neurons Flashcards
the body’s electrochemical communication circuitry
nervous system
the brain’s special capacity for change
plasticity
carry information into the brain and spinal cord
afferent (sensory) nerves
carry information out of the brain and spinal cord
efferent (motor) nerves
brain and spinal cord
central nervous system (CNS)
network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
consists of sensory nerves which convey information from the skin and muscles to the CNS
somatic nervous system
take messages to and from the body’s internal organs, monitoring functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion
autonomic nervous system
arouses the body to mobilize it for action; involved in the experience of stress; part of the autonomic nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
calms the body; part of the autonomic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
the body’s response to the circumstances and events that threaten people and tax their coping abilities
stress
the nerve cells that handle the information-processing function of the nervous system
neurons
provide support, nutritional benefits, and other functions in the nervous system
glial cells
receive information and orient it toward the neuron’s cell body
dendrites
part of the neuron that carries information away from the cell body and toward other cells
axons
layer of fat cells that encases and insulates most axons
myelin sheath
tiny spaces between neurons
synapses
has a key role in exciting many neurons to fire and is involved in learning and memory
glutamate
helps control voluntary movement and affects sleep, learning, mood, and attention
dopamine
involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, attention, and learning
serotonin
natural opiates that mainly stimulate the firing of neurons
endorphins
