PSYC Chapter 2

Neuron

Responsible for information transmission throughout the nervous system; receive, send, and integrate information.

Glial Cells

Constitute the support system for neurons, taking away waste products and maintaining a stable chemical environment.

Parts of a Neuron

Dendrites, cell body, and axon.

Dendrites

Fibers projecting like tree branches; they receive information from other neurons.

Cell Body

Contains the nucleus and biological machinery to keep the cell alive and decides whether to pass information.

Axon

Long fiber that conducts information from the cell body to axon terminals.

Myelin Sheath

An insulating layer that allows impulses to leap from gap to gap instead of transmitting slowly.

Electrical Impulse

A stimuli-triggered impulse that is sent down the axon at a constant speed regardless of the strength of the stimuli.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synaptic gap between neurons.

PET Scans

Imaging technique that uses radioactive sugar to detect brain activity.

fMRI

Technique that detects areas of increased blood flow in the brain.

Agonist

A drug or poison that increases the activity of neurotransmitters.

Antagonist

A drug or poison that decreases the activity of neurotransmitters.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter crucial for learning, memory, and muscle movement; lower levels are associated with Alzheimer's.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, thought processes, and movement; low levels are linked to Parkinson's disease.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A protective barrier that prevents dangerous substances from entering the brain.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation; implicated in mood disorders like depression.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that affects mood and arousal; involved in stress response.

GABA

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

Glutamate

The main excitatory neurotransmitter, vital for memory storage and pain perception.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters responsible for pain relief and the sense of pleasure.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Links the CNS to sensory receptors, muscles, and glands throughout the body.

Interneurons

Neurons that integrate information within the CNS.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information to the CNS from sensory receptors.

Motor Neurons

Carry commands from the CNS to the rest of the body.

Spinal Cord

Conduit for sensory data and outgoing motor commands; involved in spinal reflexes.

Somatic Nervous System

Carries sensory input to the CNS and relays commands to skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary functions of the body.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for emergency situations; expends energy.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Returns the body to a normal resting state after arousal.

Endocrine System

Major communication system that secretes hormones into the bloodstream.

James-Lange Theory

The theory that emotions arise from physiological arousal and behavioral responses.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Theory that the brain produces emotional experience and physiological arousal simultaneously.

Schachter-Singer Theory

Emotion results from physiological arousal and cognitive appraisal of the context.

Cerebellum

Region for coordination of movements and balance.

Thalamus

Relay station for incoming sensory information.

Hypothalamus

Regulates endocrine functions and maintains the body’s internal environment.

Hippocampus

Involved in memory formation and generation of new neurons.

Amygdala

Regulates emotional experiences such as fear and aggression.

Cerebral Cortex

Center for perception, language, memory, decision-making, and high-order processing.

Frontal Lobe

Region responsible for reasoning, planning, and voluntary movement.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information like pressure and pain.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in auditory processing and memory.

Occipital Lobe

Primarily responsible for visual processing.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary movements by sending signals to muscles.

Somatosensory Cortex

Processes body sensations such as touch and temperature.

Broca's Area

Responsible for speech production.

Wernicke's Area

Responsible for understanding speech and language.

Left Hemisphere

Typically responsible for language processing and analytical thought.

Right Hemisphere

Typically responsible for spatial abilities and creativity.

Consciousness

A person's awareness of their internal thoughts and external environment.

Stages of Sleep

Includes 5 stages: Stage 1, 2, 3, 4 (deep sleep), and REM.