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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.
