Biological bases of behavior

Neuron

individual nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system

dendrites

branchlike parts that receive messages from other neurons

cell body (soma)

contains the nucleus and keeps the neuron alive

axon

carries messages away from the cell body

myelin sheath

fatty covering that speeds up neural impulses

terminal buttons

ends of axon that release neurotransmitters

synapse

tiny gap between neurons where communication happens

neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that crossed the synapse

action potential

neural impulse that travels down the axon

threshold

minimum stimulation needed for a neuron to fire

all or non-principle

neuron either fires completely or not at all

reuptake

neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron

executory neurotransmitter

increases chance next neuron will fire

inhibitory neurotransmitter

decrease chance the next neuron will fire

Acetylcholine

muscle action, learning, memory

dopamine

reward, pleasure, movement

serotonin

mood,sleep, appetite

norepinephrine

alertness and arousal

GABA

main inhibitory transmitter calming effect

glutamate

main excitatory neurotransmitter, memory and learning

endorphins

natural painkillers, pleasure

Central nervous system( CNS)

Brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

nerves outside brain and spinal cord

somatic nervous system

Controls voluntary movements

autonomic nervous system

Controls involuntary body functions

sympathetic nervous system

rouse’s bodies fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system

calm body, rest and digest

sensory (afferent) neurons

Carry info from body to brain

motor (efferent) neurons

Carry commands from brain to muscles

interneurons

Connect neurons with brain and spinal cord

medulla

heartbeat and breathing

pons

sleep and arousal

cerebellum

balance and coordination

thalamus

sensory relay station

hypothalamus

Hunger, thirst, body temperature, hormones

reticular formation

alertness and attention

frontal lobe

decision-making, personality, movement

parental lobe

touch and body sensations

occipital lobe

vision

temporal lobe

hearing and language

motor cortex

Controls voluntary movements

somatosensory cortex

processes touch sensation

broca’s area

speech production

wernickes area

language comprehension

endocrine system

Glands that release hormones

pituitary gland

Master gland, controlling other glands

adrenal gland

releases adrenaline during stress

genes

units of heredity

DNA

genetic blueprint

nature vs nurture

genes vs environment influence behavior

Plasticity

brain’s ability to re-organize after damage