AP Psych 1.2-1.3 Vocab

Nervous system

electrochemical communication netweork. consisteing of nerve cells of peripheral and central nervous system.

Central Nervous system

brain + spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

Sensory and motor neurons connecting CNS to rest of the body

Nerves

bundled axons that form neural cables connecting cns with muscles, glands, and sensory organs

Sensory (afferent) neurons

caryy incoming info from body to cns

Motor (efferent) neuorns

carry outgoing info from cns

Interneurons

communicates between brain and spinal cord. processes info between sensory inputs and motor outputs

Somatic nervous system

part of PNS. voluntary control of muscles

Automatic nervous system

controls glands and internal organ muscles. self-regulation

Sympathetic nervous system

arousal. flight or fight.

Parasympathetic

calming.

reflex

simple, automatic response to sensory stimulus

neuron

nerve cell; basic building block

cell body

part of neuron containing nucleus

dendrites

branches that receive info

axon

segmented extension of neuron passing messages through branches to other neurons, muscles, or glands

myelin sheath

fatty tissue layer segmentally encasing axons of some neurons. faster transmission. hops

glial cells

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

action potential

neural impulse; brief electrical charge that travels down and axon

threshold

level of stimulation required to trigger neural impulse

refractory period

a period where brief resting pasue occurs after neuron fired. action potential can only happen again if axon returns to resting state. 

all-or-none principle

firing or not firing

synapse

space between axon tip of sending neuron and dendrite recieving neuron.

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross synaptic gap between neurons. will bind to the receptor sites of receiving neuron

reuptake

a neurotransmitter’s re absorption by the sending neuron.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory. Deteriorates with alzheimers

Dopamine

Movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Oversupply -Schizo. Undersupply - tremors, and decreased mobility like in Parkinson

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, arousal. undersupply - depression.

Norepinephrine

alertness and arousal. undersupply-depress mood.

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter. Undersupply - seizures, tremors, insomnia.

Glutamate

Excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory. Oversupply can overstimulate brain, migraines, seizures

Endorphins

Perception of pain and pleasure. Oversupply with opiods can suppress natural endorphin supply.

Substance P

Pain perception, immune respons. over supply, chronic pain.

Agonist

Increases neurotransmitter’s action

antagonist

a molecule that inhibits or blocks neurotransmitters action

endocrine system

slow chemical communication system. secretes hormones into blood stream

psychoactive drug

alters brain. causing changes in perception and moods

substance use disorder.

continued substance use despite life disruptions

`depressants

reduce neural activity and slows body function

alcohol

depressant. initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition. Depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions

tolerance

becoming less effected by the drug. needs larger dose for same effect.

withdrawl

symptoms experienced when discontinuing additive drug behavior

opiods

depress neural functioning. temporarily lessens pain. brain eventually stops producing endorphins.

stimulants

excite nervous system.

Cocaine

stimulant. prevents reuptake of dopamine, serotonine, and norephiephrine. these are then stuck in synapse increasing euphoric mood. 

hallucinogens

pschedelic drugs distort perceptions.

LSD

hallucinogen. visual trip. risk of panic

Marijuana

mild hallucinogen. enhanced sensation, releif of pain, distortion of time. impaired learning and memory. 

Heroin

depressant. Rush of euphoria, relefi from pain. Depression, loss of natural endorphin function

Nicotine

Stimulatns. Arousal and relaxation. Heart disease, cancer.

Methamphetamine (meth)

stimulant. euphorial, alertness, energy. Irritability, insomnia, hyperextension, seizures

ecstacy

stimulant, mild hallucigin. emotional elevation disinhibition. depression, impaired cognitive function