Chapter 3 Psych Test

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that, when released by the sending neuron, travel across the synapse. (the gap between two neurons) and bind to receptor sites on receiving neurons, setting up the next link in the chain of communication within the nervous system.

AcH

Learning, Memory, Muscle Contractions Black Widow Spider bite (agonist) Botox Alzheimers

Neuron

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Soma (Cell Body)

"vroom vroom" engine of neuron. The cell of a neuron which contains the nucleus and other parts that keep the cell healthy.

Synapse

(gap/ space between neurons) The tiny, fluid- filled gap between the tip of the sending neuron and the receptor site on the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or cleft.

Dendrite

(grabbing "message") the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receives messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body (soma).

Axon

(longest part "carries the message") The extension of a neuron through which neural impulses are sent

Myelin Sheath

(speed up/ protection) fatty protection around the axon