M2L1 Nervous system, Neurotransmitters, & Hormones

Biological psychology

A branch of psychology that considers the influences of biology on behavior.

Neuron

The basic building block of the nervous system.

Dendrites

The tree-like extension of a neuron that receives messages from another neuron.

Axon

The part of a neuron that carries the neural signal to the terminal branches.

Axon terminal buttons

Located in the terminal branches, these hold the neurotransmitters.

Myelin sheath

Serves as a layer of fatty tissue, producing myelin which increases the speed of the neural signal.

Action potential

The neural impulse. It's electric!

Threshold

The minimum stimulus needed to trigger an action potential.

Synapse

The space between two neurons, often called the synaptic gap.

Reuptake

The process of reabsorbing neurotransmitters back into the axon terminal buttons.

Charge of a neuron at its resting state

A neuron at rest is -70mV.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that tell the receiving neuron how to react.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter responsible for muscle movement and memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter responsible for movement, attention, and emotion.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter responsible for mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter (and hormone) responsible for alertness and arousal

GABA

An inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for seizures, tremors, and insomnia if the body does not produce enough.

Endorphins

A neurotransmitter responsible for pain control and stress relief

Nervous system

Allows the body to communicate via nerve cells (neurons) between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Central nervous system

This consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system

This consists of motor and sensory neurons that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Nerves

Bundled axons that connect the central nervous system to the muscles, glands,and sensory organs.

Sensory (Afferent) neurons

Neurons that carry incoming sensory information to the central nervous system

Interneurons

Neurons within the central nervous system that communicate between sensory and motor neurons.

Motor (Efferent) neurons

Neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles.

Somatic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the skeletal muscles.

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the automatic functions of glands and organs.

Sympathetic nervous system

A part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body and mobilizes it during stress.

Parasympathetic nervous system

A part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and tries to restore homeostasis.

Reflex

An automatic response to a sensory stimulus.

Neural networks

These networks are formed when neurons make connections to other connections forming an interconnected network of neurons that grow stronger with experience

Endocrine system

Comprised of the glands which secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

Hormones

chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream.

Adrenal glands

Glands that sit above the kidneys and secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine during stress (ie: Fight or flight hormones)

Pituitary gland

Known as the "Master Gland" because it controls the other glands, also responsible for growth.

All or nothing Principle

during nerve firing certain processes or actions either happen completely or not at all

Refractory Period

the time of inactivity after a neuron fires or muscle cell contracts

Depolarization

the electrical charge inside a cell becomes less negative

Resting Potential

the electrical potential of a neuron when it is a resting state

Multiple Sclerosis

is a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord

Myasthenia Gravis

the body's immune system attacks the communication between nerves and muscles

Reflex Arc

a neural circuit that is involved in a reflex

Glutamate

helps nerve cells send messages and also plays a role in cognitive, motor, and sensory functions

Agonists

substances that activate certain receptors

Antagonist

substances that block receptors

Substance P

functions as a neurotransmitter in both peripheral and central nervous systems

Glial Cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Adrenaline

hormone that is activated during fight or flight and helps arouse the body

Leptin

hormone made by fat cells that helps control your appetite

Ghrelin

hormone that makes you feel hungry

Melatonin

hormone that helps control your sleep

Oxytocin

hormone that helps create feelings of love, trust, and bonding