Psychology Unit 4 Flashcards
Nervous System
Body’s communication network that consists of all nerve cells; “Body’s Electrical Wiring”
Peripheral nervous system
outer region; sensory and motor nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord, encased in bone for protection
Peripheral - autonomic
controls self regulated action of internal organs and glands
peripheral - somatic
controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles
peripheral - autonomic sympathetic
arouses body to deal with perceived threats; “fight, flight or freeze response”; accelerate heartbeat, raise BP, slow digestion, raise blood sugar
peripheral - autonomic parasympathetic
calms the body, “rest and digest response”; reduces body arousal, decreases blood sugar, decreases heart rate
neuron
“nerve cell”, basic building block for nervous system
dendrites
receive information and conduct impulses toward the cell body
axon
“talker”, neural impulses are sent
myelin sheath
fatty substance that protects axon from damage, speeds neural message
axon terminals
neurotransmitters are stores
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that carry, boost, and balance signals between neurons and other cells; fast acting and temporary
dopamine
“reward”; pleasure/reward neurotransmitter; known as the feel good neurotransmitter; person will repeat behaviors that lead to release of dopamine
nuclear accumbens
role in the reward circuit of the brain; adolescents release more dopamine than adults; doing anything rewarding = increase in dopamine levels
