Biology, Behavior, Mind — Neurons, Structure, and Neural Signaling

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to neurons, their structure, and neural signaling as described in the notes.

Localization of function

Idea that different brain regions have specific, specialized functions.

Biopsychology (Biological psychology)

Scientific study of the links between biology (genetic, neural, hormonal) and psychological processes.

Neuron

Nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system that conducts electricity and communicates via chemical signals across synapses.

Synapse

Gap between neurons where chemical messages are transmitted across to pass signals.

Dendrite

Branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons.

Axon

Long fiber that transmits neural impulses away from the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Myelin sheath

Fatty insulating layer around axons that speeds up neural transmission.

Saltatory conduction

The rapid jumping of nerve impulses as they jump from one node of ranvier to the next along a myelinated axon.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath where ion exchange occurs, enabling rapid transmission.

Multiple sclerosis

Autoimmune disease causing demyelination, leading to impaired neural communication and muscle control.

Action potential

Brief neural impulse; electrical charge that travels along the axon.

Resting potential

The baseline electrical charge inside a neuron when it is not firing; interior is negatively charged relative to outside.

Ions

Positively and negatively charged atoms involved in generating and propagating nerve impulses.

Sodium (Na+)

Positively charged ion that enters a neuron during depolarization, contributing to excitation.

Potassium (K+)

Positively charged ion largely inside the neuron; movement helps restore resting potential.

Depolarization

Process by which the neuron's membrane potential becomes less negative as positively charged ions enter, increasing firing likelihood.

Refractory period

Period after an action potential during which a neuron is less able or unable to fire again.

Threshold

Minimum level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential.

Excitatory signals

Neural inputs that push the neuron toward firing (increase likelihood of an action potential).

Inhibitory signals

Neural inputs that push the neuron away from firing (decrease likelihood of an action potential).

All-or-none response

Principle that a neuron fires fully at once or not at all once the threshold is reached.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals released by neurons at the synapse to transmit signals to the next neuron or effector cell.

Synaptic gap

Another term for the synapse; the tiny space across which neurotransmitters travel.

Terminal Buttons

Buttons/vessecals that store and release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons