Psychology Module 5 & 6

neuron

neuron

individual nerve cell

central nervous system (CNS)

the brain and spinal cord (brain "computing" the nervous system & communicates with the rest of the body through large bundle of nerves called the spinal cord)

peripheral nervous system

network of nerves that carries information between the CNS & body

spinal nerves

carry sensory and motor messages to and from the spinal cord

nerve

large bundles of neuron axons

somatic nervous system (SNS)

carries messages to & from the organs & muscles

automatic nervous system (ANS)

serves the internal organs and glands

sympathetic branch

prep body for action/challenge - flight or fight - raise heart beat -arousal

parasympathetic branch

quiets the body and returns it to a lower level of arousal

dendrites

neuron fibers that recieve incoming messages

soma

main body of a neuron, cell body

axon

fiber that carries information away from the cell body of a neuron

axon terminals

bulb-shaped structures at the ends of axons that form synapes with the densrites and somas of other neurons

resting potential

electrical charge of an inactive neuron

action potential

nerve impulse

synapse

microscopic space between two neurons, over which messages pass

neurotransmitter

chemical released by a neuron that alters activity in other neurons

receptor sites

areas on the surface of neurons and other cells that sensitive to neurotransmitters or hormones

neuroplasticity

capacity of the brain to change in response to experience

cerebral cortex

outer layer of the brain

temporal lobes

areas of the cortex that include the sites where hearing registers in the brain

occipital lobes

portion of the cerebal cortex in which vision registers in the brain

endocrine system

glands whose secretions pass directly into the bloodstream or lymph system

pituitary gland

the master gland at the base of the brain whose hormones influence other endocrine glands

thyroid gland

endocrine gland helps rate of metabolism

adrenal gland

endocrine glands that arose the body, regulate salt balance, adjust the body to stress, secual functioning