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.