Unit 3A: Neural Processing and the Endocrine System Flashcards
What is Phrenology?
Phrenology was the belief, started in the 1800s by Franz Gall, that bumps on a person’s head revealed aspects of their personality or intelligence.
What is a neuron
A cell used in the nervous system to send and receive messages.
Neurons that send messages from the body to the brain
Sensory Neuron
Neuron that sends messages from the brain to the body
Motor Neuron
Neurons located in the brain which communicate with other brain neurons
Interneuron
The “arms” branching from the body of a neuron that receive information from other neurons
Dendrite
The body of a cell
Cell Body
The “brain” of the cell, located in the very center of the body
Nucleus
The area immediately before the axon that initially begins an action potential
Axon Hillock
The long “arm” of a neuron which sends a message (length can range from less than a millimeter, to several feet)
Axon
The fatty tissue which insulates the axon
Myelin Sheath
The cell that produces the fatty tissue that makes up the myelin sheath
Schwann Cell
The electro-chemical charge that travels across the axon
Action Potential
The “arms” extending at the end of the axon, which send messages to other neurons
Axon Terminal / Terminal Button / Terminal Branches
All words for the same thing
The extremely small gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another
Synaptic Gap (or Synaptic Cleft)
The minimum electrical stimulation required by the axon hillock to send an action potential
Threshold
The period of time after an action potential is sent that the axon is unable to accept another action potential
Refractory Period
Neurotransmitter whose main use is movement
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter whose main purpose is mood (have enough, GREAT! - don’t have enough? depressed / anxious)
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter - too much? SCHIZOPHRENIA, too little? PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Dopamine
Mimics a neurotransmitter well enough to bind to the receptor site and fire
Agonist
Mimics a neurotransmitter well enough to bind to the receptor site and clog the site, so that actual neurotransmitters can not fire
Antagonist
The process of neurotransmitters going back into the axon terminal from the synapse after “firing”
Reuptake
A drug that works by preventing neurotransmitters from reentering the axon terminal from the synapse
Reuptake inhibitor
Oh crap, I am depressed, what happened?
Too little serotonin
Dang, I have schizophrenia, what is going on?
Too much dopamine
I’m all shaky from Parkinson’s, what’s happening?
Too little dopamine
I can’t move, I’m completely paralyzed, WHAT’S HAPPENING TO ME?!?!
Too little Acetylcohline (or presence of ACh (Acetylcholine) antagonist)
I’m moving my body uncontrollably, AAAAAAHHHHHHH!
Too much Acetylcohline (or presence of ACh (Acetylcholine) agonist)
The spot on the dendrite where the neurotransmitter “binds”
Receptor Site
Neurotransmitter which primarily sends inhibitory signals (makes the receiving neuron less likely to send an action potential)
GABA
Main neurotransmitter involved with Alcohol
GABA
The “chemical messengers” of the endocrine system
Hormones
Hormone released by the adrenal gland
Epinepherine and Norepinepherine (Adrenaline and Noradrenaline)
Bundles of connected axons are called:
Nerves
System of nerves (bundled axons) which form the brain and spinal cord
Central Nervous System
System of nerves (bundled axons) which connect to the muscles, glands and sensory receptors
Peripheral Nervous System
Part of the nervous system controlled conscious (inside of our control, e.g. moving our hands)
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the peripheral nervous system which operates unconsciously (out of our control and awareness, e.g. our heartbeat or breathing)
Autonomic Nervous System
The “master” hormone secreting gland which controls all others
Pituitary Gland
The hormonal gland which secretes epinephrine (adrenaline)
Adrenal Gland
