Week 3 Flashcards
Biological Psychology
neuron
a cell in the brain specialized for sending fast signals
glial cells
support cells
- insulate neurons with myelin: fast communicatino
- provide physical support
parts of a neuron
dendrites
enter only
axons
exit only
myelin sheath
insulate axon to help send signal more quickly
synapse
tiny gap between the ends of this cells axon and the dendrites of other neurons
action potentials
electrical impulses that allows signals to travel from the dendrites to the axon
synaptic vesicle
small packets of neutransmitters
snypase/synaptic cleft
space between one neuron and another
neuron communication…synapse
reuptake
any remaining neurotransmitters in the synapse are taken back into the axon terminal
neural plasticity
refers to the brains ability to change even into adulthood
4 process of neural plasticity
1) axon and dendrite growth
2) synaptogenesis
3) pruning (cell death)
4) myelination
Lon-term potentiation
more neurotransmitters, more receptors
central nervous system
brain spinal chord
peripheral
sensory and motor nerves
somatic
voluntary
autonomic
automatic
sympathetic
excited
parasympathetic
relaxed
sympathetic system
“fight or flight”
adrenaline released
increased heart rate, blood pressure
lungs relax
digestion inhibited
parasympathetic
rest and relax system
- slows heart rate
- promotes growth
- stimulates digestion
- promotes cell regeneration