The Human Brain Flashcards
Individual nerve cell
neuron
receive messages from other neurons
dendrites
cell body; body of the neuron
soma
finer that carries information away from the cell body
axon
branches that link the dendrites and somas of other neurons
axon terminals
electrical charge of an inactive neuron
resting potential
trigger point for a neutrons firing
threshold
nerve impulse
action potential
when a neuron is less willing to fire
negative after potential
synapses
the microscopic gap that allows messages from one neuron to another pass over
chemicals in the brain that alter activity in neurons
neurotransmitters
receptor site
areas on the surface of neurons and other cells that are sensitive to neurotransmitters
MOOD STABILISER affects mood, sleep, appetite, sensory perception, temperature regulation, pain suppression, impulsivity, and aggression: depression
serotonin
MOVEMENT AND MEMORY affects muscle action, cognitive functioning, memory, REM, sleep, emotion: Alzheimer’s
Acetylcholine
PLEASURE AND MOTIVATION affects movement, attention, memory, learning, and emotion: Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s
Dopamine
ATTENTION affects learning, memory, dreaming, emotion, waking from sleep, eating, alertness, wakefulness, reactions to stress
Norepinephrine
STRESS RESPONDER affects emotional arousal, memory storage, and metabolism of glucose necessary for energy release
Epinephrine
RELAXER neural inhabitation n the central nervous system: tranquillising drugs to act on ___ to decrease anxiety
GABA
neuropeptides
regulate activity of other neurons
enkephalins
relieve pain and stress; similar to endorphins
endorphins
released by pituitary gland; also help to relieve pain