AP Psych - 1.3 Vocab

Dendrites

Projections of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons

Soma

The cell body which contains all the DNA, and other essential parts for keeping the neuron alive.

Axon

Transmits information away from the neuron’s cell body to other neurons or target cells.

Myelin Sheath

Wraps around axons to insulate and protect them, allowing nerve impulses to travel faster and more efficiently throughout the nervous system.

Synapse

The tiny gap between neurons where chemical or electrical signals are transmitted, allowing communication between nerve cells and enabling brain function.

Glial Cells

Support and protect neurons by providing structural support, insulating nerve fibers, maintaining homeostasis, removing waste during sleep, and assisting in signal transmission.

Reflex Arc

A neurological pathway that enables automatic, responses to stimuli without conscious thought, helping the body react quickly.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that detect a stimulus and transmit the information from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord in the central nervous system.

Interneurons

Neurons within the spinal cord that process incoming sensory information and form connections between sensory and motor neurons, creating a fast response.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry the response signal from the spinal cord to the muscles or glands, triggering a quick, involuntary action without involving the brain.

Neurotransmission

A multistep communication process between neurons that occurs nearly instantly.

Threshold

When a neuron receives a stimulus that reaches a certain critical level it triggers an action potential, initiating neural transmission.

Action Potential

A brief electrical impulse or signal that travels along the neuron or muscle cell.

All-or-Nothing basis

Once the threshold is reached, the neuron will fire completely; if the threshold is not met, no action potential occur.

Refractory Period

The delay in response time when a second stimulus is presented shortly after the first.

Reuptake

After neurotransmitters are released into the synapse and bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron, they are reabsorbed by the pre-synaptic neuron for reuse.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, memory, attention, and regulation of body movements; it plays a significant role in motivation to pursue rewards.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter and hormone that is involved in the body's "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to muscles.

GABA

Helping to reduce neuronal excitability and regulate muscle tone; promotes relaxation and reduces stress.

Substance P

Neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of pain signals from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system; plays a role in inflammation and stress responses.

Leptin

Hormone produced by fat cells that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger, thereby promoting satiety and reducing food intake.

Melatonin

Regulates sleep-wake cycles by signaling the body to prepare for sleep

Resting Potential

Refers to the electrical charge difference across a neuron's membrane when it is not actively transmitting a signal.

Inhibitory

Making an action potential less likely

Excitatory

Making an action potential more likely

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. It also regulates mood, appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire.

Glutamate

The most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and central nervous system, essential for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters produced by the central nervous system and pituitary gland that act as natural painkillers.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in many functions, including muscle contraction, arousal, attention, memory, and learning.

Adrenaline

Hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supply by triggering the "fight or flight" response.

Ghrelin

Hormone produced in the stomach that stimulates appetite, increases food intake, and promotes fat storage by signaling the brain to induce the feeling of hunger.

Oxytocin

Plays a crucial role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, childbirth, and the release of breast milk.

Antagonist

Substance that blocks the function of a neurotransmitter in the brain

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and accelerate body functions, increasing breathing rate, heartbeat, energy, and confidence

Opioids

Endorphin-mimicking painkillers that elicit warm, euphoric feelings that can disrupt natural endorphin use and creation.

Agonist

Substance that binds to a particular receptor and produces a physiological effect.

Depressants

A class of drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Hallucinogens

Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images

LSD

Presents a stream of uninterrupted fantastic pictures, shapes, colors, etc., ranging from euphoria, to detachment, to panic.

Withdrawal

Process in which a person stops using a substances or stops an addictive behavior.