The Nervous and Endocrine System Flashcards
nervous system
electrochemical communication network, including nerve calls of the peripheral and CNS
central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
sensory and motor neurons that connect CNS to the rest of the body
nerves
bundled axons that form neural “cables”, connecting CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs
main types of neurons:
sensory (afferent) neurons
motor (efferent) neurons
interneurons
sensory (afferent) neurons
neurons that carry incoming info from sensory receptors to the brain/spinal cord
motor (efferent) neurons
neurons that carry outgoing info from brain/spinal cords to muscles and glands
interneurons
neurons within brain/spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene the sensory inputs/motor outputs
somatic nervous system
division of PNS that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
part of PNS that controls glands and muscles of internal organs (like the heart)
sympathetic nervous system
division of the ANS that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
division of the ANS that calms the body, conserving its energy
reflex
automatic response to a sensory stimulus
endocrine system
“slow” chemical communication system, glands that transport hormones via bloodstream
hormones
chemical messengers that affect other tissues from bloodstream
can influence interest in sex, food, aggression
adrenal glands
sit above kidneys and help release adrenaline and noradrenaline to arouse body during stress
pituitary gland
most influential, regulates growth, controls other endocrine glands, and is under influence of hypothalamus
adrenaline
epinephrine
nonadrenaline
norepinephrine
biological psychology
the scientific study of the links between biological (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.
neuron
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
axon
neuron extension
passes messages from cell body to neurons, muscles, or glands
myelin sheath
layer of fatty tissue that insulates them and speeds their impulses
action potential
brief electrical charge that travels down its axon
cell body
cell’s life support center
dendrites
branching extensions
recieve messages
conduct impulses toward body
neural impulse
electrical signal traveling down the axon (action potential)
terminal branches of axon
for junctions with other cells
refractory period
during resting pause after neuron fired
threshold
the combined signals trigger an action potential
all-or-none response
reaction of either firing or not firing
synapse
the meeting points between neurons
neurotransmitters
the release of chemical messengers
reuptake
sending neuron reabsorbs the excess neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine
Enables muscle action,
learning, and memory
Dopamine
Influences movement,
learning, attention, and
emotion
Serotonin
Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
Norepinephrine
Helps control alertness and arousal
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
A major inhibitory neurotransmitter
Glutamate
A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory
endorphins
good feelings such as the “runner’s high”
agonist
increase effects of neurotransmitters
antagonist
block a neurotransmitter’s functioning.
