RPI Psych Quiz 2 Vocab Flashcards
Let's Ace This Test!!! All information taken from: Psychology: The Science of Behavior 7th Ed. (235 cards)
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord
A long, thin collection of neural cells attached to the base of the brain and running the length of the spinal column.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The cranial and spinal nerves; that part of the nervous system peripheral to the brain and spinal cord.
Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers that transmit information between the central nervous system and the body’s sense organs, muscles, and glands.
Cranial Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers attached to the base of the brain; conveys sensory information from the face and head and carries messages to muscles and glands.
Spinal Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers attached to the spinal cord; conveys sensory information from the body and carries messages to muscles and glands.
Vertebra (pl. Vertebrae)
One of the bones that encases the spinal cord and constitutes the vertebral column.
Meninges
The three-layered set of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
The liquid in which the brain and spinal cord float; provides a shock-absorbing cushion.
Cerebral Ventricle
One of the hollow spaces within the brain, filed with cerebrospinal fluid.
Blood-brain Barrier
A barrier between the blood and the brain produced by the cells in the walls of the brain’s capillaries; prevents some substances from passing from the blood into the brain.
Cerebral Cortex
The outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, approximately 3mm thick.
Gray Matter
The portions of the central nervous system that are abundant in cell bodies of neurons rather than axons. The color appears gray relative to white matter.
White Matter
The portions of the central nervous system that are abundant in axons rather than cell bodies of neurons. The color derives from the presence of the axons’ myelin sheaths.
Dendrite
A treelike part of a neuron on which other neurons form synapses.
Soma
A cell body; the largest part of a neuron.
Axon
A long, thin part of a neuron attached to the soma; divides into a few or many branches, ending in terminal buttons.
Terminal Button
The rounded swelling at the end of the axon of a neuron; releases a neurotransmitter.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical released by the terminal buttons that causes the postsynaptic neuron to be excited or inhibited.
Myelin Sheath
The insulating material that encases most large axons.
Action Potential
A brief electrochemical event that is carried by an axon from the soma of the neuron to its terminal buttons; causes the release of a neurotransmitter.
Resting Potential
The membrane potential of a neuron when it is not producing an action potential.
Synapse
The junction between the terminal button of one neuron and the membrane of a muscle fiber, a gland, or another neuron.
Presynaptic Neuron
A neuron whose terminal buttons form synapses with and excite or inhibit another neuron.