AP psyc Neuron flascard

Neuron

a nerve cell that receives, processes, and sends information throughout the nervous system.

Cell body (soma)

the main part of the neuron that has the nucleus and keeps the neuron functioning.

Dendrites

• Neuron — a nerve cell that receives, processes, and sends information throughout the nervous system.

• Cell body (soma) — the main part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and keeps the neuron functioning.

• Dendrites — branch-like parts of a neuron that receive information from other neurons and send it toward the cell body.

• Axon — the long part of a neuron that carries neural signals away from the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, or glands.

• Myelin sheath — a fatty covering around the axon that protects it and allows neural signals to travel faster.

• Glial cells (glia) — cells that support, protect, nourish, and help maintain neurons.

• Axon terminals — the small branches at the end of an axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

• Terminal branches — the branches at the end of an axon that connect with other cells and allow the neuron to communicate.

• Synapse — the tiny space between neurons where chemical messages are passed from one neuron to another.

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1.3B.1 — Neural Firing

• Resting potential — the neuron's normal resting state when it is ready to receive and send a signal.

• Action potential — a brief electrical signal that travels down the axon when a neuron fires.

• Threshold — the minimum level of stimulation needed for a neuron to fire an action potential.

• Depolarization — the change in electrical charge that happens when a neuron reaches its threshold and begins firing.

• Refractory period — the short period after a neuron fires when it is resetting and cannot immediately fire again.

• All-or-none response — the idea that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all; it cannot fire “a little.”

• Repolarization — the process of the neuron returning toward its normal resting state after firing.

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1.3B.2 — Neurotransmitters and Hormones

• Neurotransmitters — chemical messengers that travel across the synapse and carry signals from one neuron to another.

• Reuptake — the process in which the sending neuron takes neurotransmitters back in after they have been released.

• Agonist — a chemical that increases a neurotransmitter's effect by mimicking it or helping it work.

• Antagonist — a chemical that decreases a neurotransmitter's effect by blocking it or preventing it from working.

• Endorphins — neurotransmitters involved in reducing pain and producing feelings of pleasure or well-being.

• Endocrine system — the body's system of glands that releases hormones into the bloodstream.

• Hormones — chemical messengers released by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream and affect different parts of the body.

• Adrenal glands — glands located above the kidneys that release hormones involved in stress and arousal, including adrenaline.

• Adrenaline (epinephrine) — a hormone that increases alertness and prepares the body to respond to stressful or exciting situations.

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• Acetylcholine (ACh) — helps with muscle movement, learning, and memory.

• Dopamine — involved in movement, learning, attention, motivation, and reward.

• Serotonin — involved in mood, sleep, appetite, and other body functions.

• Norepinephrine — helps control alertness, arousal, and attention.

• GABA — a major inhibitory neurotransmitter that generally reduces or slows neural activity.

• Glutamate — a major excitatory neurotransmitter that is important for learning and memory.

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1.3C — Psychoactive Drugs

• Psychoactive drugs — chemicals that change a person's mood, perception, thinking, behavior, or level of consciousness by affecting the brain.

• Agonist — a drug or chemical that increases a neurotransmitter's effects, either by mimicking it or making it work more effectively.

• Antagonist — a drug or chemical that blocks a neurotransmitter's effects.

• Reuptake inhibitor — a drug that prevents neurotransmitters from being taken back into the sending neuron, leaving more neurotransmitter in the synapse.

• Tolerance — when repeated drug use causes the body to become less sensitive to the drug, so more of the drug is needed to produce the same effect.

• Withdrawal — uncomfortable physical or psychological symptoms that can happen when a person stops using a drug after becoming dependent on it.

• Dependence — a condition in which the body or brain adapts to a drug and stopping it can cause withdrawal symptoms.

• Addiction — a pattern of compulsive drug use that continues even when the drug is causing problems.

• Depressants — drugs that slow down neural activity and reduce bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, and alertness.

• Stimulants — drugs that increase neural activity and generally increase alertness, energy, and bodily activity.