Neurons and intro to biopsychology

Neurons, neurons, and more neurons!

Neuron

A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system

Axon

Passes messages through its branches to other neurons or muscle glands

Myelin sheath

Tissue layer encasing axons; increases transmission speed and provides insulation

Terminal branches

Contains buttons which hold synaptic vesicles that store neurotransmitters

Threshold

Neuron forms information when exceeding threshold

Excitatony

Excitatory neurotransmitter signals trigger action

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neurons

synapse

Junction between axon tip of the sending neuron ands the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neurons

Reuptake

A neurotransmitters reabsorption by sending neurons

Dopamine

Influences movement learning, and attention

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain and pleasure

Agonist

Drug molecule that increases a neurotransmitters action

Antagonist

Drug molecule that inhabits or blocks a neurotransmitter action

Cell body(Soma)

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus

Dendrites

Receives and integrates messages conducting impulses toward cell body

Inhibitory signals

Inhibitory neurotransmitter signals depress action