Psych Unit 2: Chapter 2 Flashcards
an extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body
nervous system
a branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue
neuroscience
branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning
biological psychology/behavioral neuroscience
the basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system
neuron
branchlike structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons
dendrites
the cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell
soma
tubelike structure of neuron that carries the neural message from the cell body to the axon terminals, for communication with other cells
axon
enlarged ends of axonal branches of the neuron, specialized for communication between cells
axon terminals
cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and, during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons
glial cells
fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse
myelin
bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body
nerves
process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
diffusion
the state of the neurons when not firing a neural impulse
resting potential
the release of the neural impulse, consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon
action potential
saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals
synaptic vesicles
chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell
neurotransmitter
microscopic fluid-filled space between the axon terminal of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell
synapse/synaptic gap
three-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters
receptor sites
synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to fire
excitatory synapse
synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing
inhibitory synapse
chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters
antagonists
chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell
agonists
excitatory or inhibitory; involved in arousal, attention, memory, and controls muscle contractions
acetylcholine
mainly excitatory; involved in arousal and mood
norepinephrine
excitatory or inhibitory; involved in control of movement and sensations of pleasure
dopamine
excitatory or inhibitory; involved in sleep, mood, anxiety, and appetite
serotonin
major inhibitory neurotransmitter; involved in sleep and inhibits movement
gamma-aminobutyric acid
major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning, memory formation, nervous system development, and synaptic plasticity
glutamate
inhibitory neural regulators; involved in pain relief
endorphins
process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles
reuptake
process by which the structure of a neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor
enzymatic degradation
part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
a long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes
spinal cord
a neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system
afferent (sensory) neuron