unit five: baron's 3 (69-74) Flashcards
neouroscience or biopsychological perspective
the influence of biology on psychology
neuroanatomy
refers to the study of the parks and functions of neurons
neurons
are individual nerve cells. these cells make up our entire nervous system
dendrites
rootlike parts of the cell that stretch out from the cell body. dendrities trow to make synaptic connections with other neurons
cell body/ soma
contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life
axon
wire like structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body
myelin sheath
a fatty covering around the axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses
terminal buttons
aka end buttons, synaptic knobs or terminal branches of axon: the branched end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters
neurotransmitters
chemicals contained in terminal buttons that enable neurons to communicate. neurotransmitters fit into reception sites on the dendrites of neurons like a key fits into a lock
synapse
the space between the terminal buttons of one neurons and the dendirties of the next neuron
receptor sites
reaction between the terminal buttons of neurons A stimulate and release neurotransmitters into the synapse. these fit into the receptor sites on the the dendrities of neuron B.
threshold
if enough neurotransmitters are received
action potential
the change in charge spreads down the length of neuron B like a bullet from a gun. electrical firing
all or none principle
when a neuron fires completely. if the dendrities of a neuron receive enough neurotransmitters to push the neuron past it’s threshold the neuron will fire completely each time. a neuron cannot fire a little or a lot
excitatory neurotransmitter
meaning that they excite the next cell into firing