AP Psychology Brain: Neurotransmitters, Nervous Systems & Neurotransmission

nervous system

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication system, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

central nervous system

A subdivision of the human nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord. Transmits & receives messages to & from the PNS

peripheral nervous system

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body

nerves

neural cables containing many axons (connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs

sensory neurons

Afferent Neurons; neurons that carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system

interneurons

central nervous system neurons that internally communicate between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

motor neurons

Efferent Neurons; neurons that carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands

somatic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the bodys skeletal muscles (skeletal nervous system)

autonomic nervous system

the part of the the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body (mobilizes its energy in stressful situations)

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body (conserves its energy)

reflex

a simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus (knee-jerk response)

afferent neurons

Nerve cells that carry impulses towards the central nervous system, ie. sensory neurons

efferent neurons

take information from the brain to the rest of the body, ie. motor neurons

Dopamine

a neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal

dopamine hypothesis

the idea that schizophrenia involves an excess of dopamine activity

Acytelcholine (ACh)

activates and inhibits skeletal muscles; memory function; regulates the parasympathetic nervous system; Association with Alzheimers disease

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood.

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

Glutamate

The most common neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitatory.

Endorphins

natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

Agonist

A chemical/molecule that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

a chemical substance that blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter

epinephrine and norepinephrine

aid body during stress by raising heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration

action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

refractory period

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

Neuron Polarization

Electrically neutral

Inside ions positive; outside ions negative

neuron depolarization

A stimulus first causes sodium channels to open, and the neuron "fires". Negative ions from outside rush into Neuron.

endocrine system

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues

pituitary gland

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

synpases

gaps or junctions between neurons, neurotransmitters are responsible for transmitting the impulse across the synapse

threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

adrenal glands

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.

myelin sheath

covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

receptor sites

Locations on a receptor neuron into which a specific neurotransmitter fits like a key into a lock.

Dendrites

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

Axon

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands

Reuptake

a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron

Substance P

Perception of pain; assists in promoting inflammation in response to injury

myasthenia gravis

Muscle weakness due to destruction of ACh receptors in muscles

SSRI

class of drugs used to relieve depression/anxiety by limiting reuptake of a neurotransmitter

Multiple Scelorsis (MS)

unpredictable disease of the CNS that disrupt flow of info within the brain and bt the brain and body; Deterioration of the Myelin Sheath

long-term potentiation (LTP)

a process whereby communication across the synapse between neurons strengthens the connection, making further communication easier; basis of learning and memory