Psych Unit 3 Flashcards
Dendrites
Receive signals from axons of other neurons
Cell body
central part that houses nucleus
Cell membrane
protects the cell body
Axon
cable like tail that conveys signals to other neurons
Terminal buttons
When activated, release chemicals into the space around the neurons
Synapse
pathway where the sending and receiving takes place
Synaptic cleft
Free space between sending and receiving neuron
Drugs and other neurotoxins take effect in…
The synaptic cleft
Excitatory input
neuron more likely to have a neural impulse
Inhibitory input
neuron less likely to have a neural impulse
Glial cells
help neurons create synapses and form connections
Dopamine
treats Parkinson’s, depression, agression
Endorphins
treats pain, anxiety, substance abuse
Serotonin
modulates sleep, treats obsessive-compulsive, depression also
Peripheral nervous system
send and receive info to and from your organs
corpus collosum
large bundle of axons connecting the two brain hemis
cerebral cortex (gray matter)
outer layer of the brain (2mm)
sulci
the creases or ‘lines’ on the brain
gyri
the different little chunks of the brain
occipital lobes
back of the head, deal w/ vision
temporal lobes
in front of the ears, process sound, story memories, comprehend language
parietal lobes
back of the head, process distance, math, and touch
frontal lobes
reasoning, emotion, motor control
thalamus
control center, routes signals to correct part of brain
hypothalamus
regulates heart rate, appetite, emotions, hormones
hippocampus
allows you to store new info
amygdala
regulates/interprets emotions & facial expressions
absolute threshold
smallest amount needed to detect stimulus
cocktail party phenom
can hear you name through any amount of noise
