Psychology UNIT 2

Motor Neuron

A neuron that carries messages from the CNS to the muscles of the body, also called efferent neuron

Soma

Body

Neuron Communication

Can either be on or off, no inbetween

Autonomic Bervous System

Division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs and glands, sensory pathway nerves coming the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of sensory neurons

Sympethtic Divison

Fight of flight system, part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal

Endorphins

Inolved in pain relief

Norepinephrine

Involved in arousal and mood

Dopamine

Involved in control of movement and sensations of pleasure

Acetylcholine

Involved in memory and stimulates movement

Glutamate

Involved in memory formation

GABA (gamma aminobutyric add)

Involved in sleep and inhibits movement

Efferent neuron

Motor neuron

Reuptake

Process by which neurontransmitters are taken back into synaptic vesticles

Neurilemma

Schwann's membrane:Tunnel through which damaged nerve fibers can repair themselves

Afferent neuron

Sensory neuron

Neuroplasticity

The ability to constantly change both the structure and function of cell involved in trauma

Enzyme

a complex protein that is manufactured by cells, one type specifically breaks up acetylecholine because muscle activity needs to happen rapidly

Spinal cord

a long bundle of neurons that carries messages to and from the body to the brain that is responsible for very fast life saving reflexes

Interneuron

a neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that recieves information from the sensory neurons and sends commands in the muscles through the motor neurons, ALSO MAKE UP THE BULD OF NEURONS IN THE BRAIN

Sensory neuron

a neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system, also called afferent neuron

Peripheral nervous System PNS

all nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself, divided into Somatic and Autonomic nervous sytem

Nervous System

an extensive network of specialized cells that carry information to and from all parts of the body.

Antagonists

block or reduce a cell's response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters.

Positron emission tomography (PET)

brain imaging method in which radioactive sugar is injected into the subject and a computer compiles a color-coded image of the activity of the brain in lighter colors indicating more activity

Computed tamography (CT)

brain imaging method using computer controlled X-rays of the brain

Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI)

brain imaging method using radio waves and magnetic feilds of the body to produce detailed images of the brain

Dendrites

branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons.

Axon terminals

branches at the end of the axon.

Nerves

bundles of axons in the body that travel together through the body.

Chemical substances

can affect neuronal communication.

Ions

charged particles. Inside neuron - negatively charged. Outside neuron - positively charged.

Neurotransmitters

chemical found in the synaptic vesicles which, when released, has an effect on the next cell.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

computer makes a sort of "movie" of changes in the activity of the brain using images from different time periods.

Neuroscience

deals with the structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue. Relationship to behavior and learning.

Somatic Nervous system

divison of the PNS consisting of nerves that cary information from the sense to the CNS and from the CNS to the voluntary muscles of the body

Myelin

fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.

Glial cells

grey fatty cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons.

Receptor sites

holes in the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.

Deep Lesioning

insertion of a thin insulated wire into the brain through which an electrical current is sent to destroy the brain cells at the tip of the wire

Serotonin

involved in mood, sleeo and aooetite

Axon

long tube-like structure that carries the neural message to other cells.

Electroencephalograph(EEG

machine designed to record the brain wave patterns produced by electrical activity of the surface of the brain

Interneuron

make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain

Synapse/synaptic gap

microscopic fluid-filled space between the rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell.

Electrical stimulation of the Brain (ESB)

milder electrical current that causes neurons to react as if they have received a message

Agonists

mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell.

Motor Pathway

nerves coming from the CNS to the voluntary muscles consisting of motor neurons

Sensory pathway

nerves coming from the sensory organs to the CNS consisting of sensory neurons

Excitatory neurotransmitter

neurotransmitter that causes the receiving cell to fire.

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

neurotransmitter that causes the receiving cell to stop firing.

Parasympathetic division

part of the ANS that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day to day functioning of organs and glands

Central Nervous System

part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord

All-or-none

referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all.

Synaptic knob

rounded areas on the end of axon terminals.

Synaptic vesicles

sack-like structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals.

Neurons

the basic cell that makes up the nervous system and which receives and sends messages within that system.

Soma

the cell body of the neuron, responsible for maintaining the life of the cell.

Action potential

the release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon

Resting potential

the state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse.