2.E Describe the nervous system and its subdivisions and functions 2.F Identify basic processes and systems in the biological bases of behavior, including parts of the neuron 2.G Identify basic process of transmission of a signal between neurons.

Endorphins

"morphine within"--natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

myelin sheath

A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain's pleasure and reward system.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Contributes to regulation of anxiety

Dendrites

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

Neurons

Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information.

The nervous system diagram

Nervous system is split into two categories, the central and peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is in the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system splits into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems. The somatic nervous system splits into sensory (afferent) neurons and motor (efferent) neurons. The autonomic nervous system splits into the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division.

parasympathetic division

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that generally conserves bodily resources.

resting potential

The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane

axon terminal

The endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored

absolute refractory period

The minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin.

sympathetic division

The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to deal with perceived threats.

excitatory neurotransmitters

chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that excite the next neuron into firing

inhibitory neurotransmitters

chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that inhibit the next neuron from firing

sensory (afferent) neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

motor (efferent) neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

action potential

the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle cell or nerve cell.

somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles

Axon

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.

soma (nerve cell)

where the signals from the dendrites are joined and passed on