Unit 2 - Vocab. List 1 Flashcards
Excitatory Neurotransmitter
A neurotransmitter that causes a postsynaptic neuron to propagate more action potentials
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter
A neurotransmitter that causes a postsynaptic neuron to propagate less action potentials
Hormones
Chemical substances produced in your body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells or organs; play a crucial role in many major processes, metabolism, growth, development, and mood
Nervous System
The body’s speedy, electrochemical communication system, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system
Sensory Neuron
Nerves that are responsible for sensing a stimulus; send information about a stimulus to a person’s central nervous system
Motor Neuron
Nerves that are responsible for carrying signals away from the central nervous system to initiate action
Interneuron
Connects sensory neurons to motor neurons
Agonists
Drugs that mimic a particular neurotransmitter, activating the same receptor(s) that it does
Antagonists
Drugs that block a particular neurotransmitter from activating its receptor(s)
Synapse
The place where two neurons meet to transmit information
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and muscle contraction
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter involved in mood, movement, attention, and learning
Endorphins
A neurotransmitter linked to reduced pain and increased pleasure
Glutamate
The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, important for learning and memory
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and body temperature
GABA
An amino acid that serves as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord
Dendrites
The projections from the cell body, or soma, of the neuron, the cells of the nervous system
Neuroplasticity
The brain’s ability to modify itself to adapt to different experiences, and fine-tune its connections based on what functions are used most often
Axon
A long, tubular structure in a neuron that transmits action potentials
Myelin Sheath
Coats the axon of a neuron and speeds up the transition of messages
Reuptake
The reabsorption of neurotransmitters into a neuron
Melatonin
A hormone known to regulate sleep and wake cycles
Oxytocin
A hormone that is associated with bonding, empathy, and trust
