Psychology Chapter 2

Spinal Column

A long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for very fast, lifesaving reflexes. Part of the central nervous system.

Interneuron

A neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the sensory neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the motor neurons. -Also make up a bulk of the neurons in the brain.

Dopamine

A transmitter that plays an important role in motivation and decision making, reward and wanting, working memory and focus, and motor activity.

Sensory Neuron

Aka afferent neuron. A neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system.

Motor Neuron

Aka efferent neuron. A neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System

All nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal column/cord, but that run through the body itself.

Methamphetamine

Also has pronounced effects on the dopamine transmitter system, but increases release of dopamine in to the synapse, so there's more dopamine in the synapse.

Cocaine

At low doses, this is a nonspecific ion channel blocker, and it acts as a anesthetic. At higher doses, it has pronounced effects on the dopamine transmitter system, preventing reuptake, so dopamine remains in the synapse longer.

Dendrite

Branchlike structure of a neuron that receives messages from other neurons.

Nerves

Bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body.

Glial Cells

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, influence information processing, and, during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell. -Rarely have one role, and are rarely solely excitatory or inhibitory.

Neuron Structure

Dendrite, soma, axon, myelin sheath, terminal, synapse.

Somatic Nervous System

Division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the central nervous system and from the central nervous system to the voluntary muscles of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands.

Agonist

Enhances transmission.

Myelin

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

Seizures

Follow from abnormal, excessive neuronal discharge. Can be caused by an alteration in the channels, or an alteration of chemicals within or outside the cell.

Astray

Four ways that Neurotransmission goes ___: 1.) Abnormal release of neurotransmitter into the synapse. 2.) Abnormality of post-synaptic receptors (sensitivity, number.) 3.) Abnormal reuptake (e.g. remains in synapse too long.) 4.) Abnormal presence of neuromodulators.

Brain

Mass of interconnected cells that weighs around 3 lbs, and can be categorized in six ways. Part of the central nervous system.

Synaptic Vesicles

Neuronal Communication: Chemical. 1.) Action potential causes ____ to migrate to the synapse and dump their contents (i.e., neurotransmitters.)

Ion Channels

Neuronal Communication: Chemical. 2.) Neurotransmitters migrate to the ___ on the post-synaptic side of another neuron.

The Neurotransmitters

Neuronal Communication: Chemical. 3.) ___ may turn on the channel (e.g. excitatory) or prevent the channel from turning on (i.e. inhibitory.)

Reuptake

Neuronal Communication: Chemical. 4.) Neurotransmitters either degrade in the synapse or are pumped back into the presynaptic neuron (i.e. reuptake.)

Negative

Neuronal Communication: Electrochemical. 1.) At rest, the inside of the neuron has a ___ charge compared to the outside.

Electrical Potential

Neuronal Communication: Electrochemical. 2.) Charge originates at the dendrite, and causes "channels" to open and flood the cell with positively charged ions. The change of balance to a net positive is an ____.

Action Potential

Neuronal Communication: Electrochemical. 3.) A "channel" opening causes a chain reaction, where the next channel opens and floods the cell with positively charged ions. When the signal reaches a certain threshold, it is called an _____.

Refractory Period

Neuronal Communication: Electrochemical. 4.) When the action potential is over, the channels close and the "pumps" start- restoring the negative charge. This is called the ____, during which electrical potential is less likely.

Central Nervous System

Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal column.

Antagonist

Reduces transmission.

Antipsychotic Medications

Refer to a class of compounds that reduce symptoms of psychosis. To treat hyper-dopaminergic activity. Blocking post-synaptic dopamine receptors so that dopamine can't activate the ion channels.

Bath Salts

Substance that both increases the dopamine release into the synapse while simultaneously blocking reuptake.

Neuromodulators

Substances that affect transmission. Agonist and Antagonist.

Neuron

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

Soma

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

Reflex Arc

The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons, resulting in reflex action.

Axon

Tubelike structure of neuron that carries the neural message from the cell body to the axon terminals, for communication with other cells.