module 5

behavioral neuroscientists

Psychologists who specialize in considering the ways in which the biological structures and functions of the body affect behavior

Neurons

are the basic elements of the nervous system.

Glial cells

holds the neurons in place

Glial cells

provide nourishment to neurons, insulate them, help repair damage, and generally support neural functioning

Dendrites

cluster of fiber @ the end of every neuron

dendrites

they receive messages from other neurons

axon

opposite side of every neuron, that is long, slim, and tube like extension

axon

carries messages received by dendrites

terminal buttons

axons end in small bulges called…

terminal buttons

send messages to other neurons

myelin sheath

axons are insulated by

myelin sheath

a protective coat of fat and protein that wraps around the axon

myelin sheath

serves to increase the velocity with electrical impulses travel through axons

all or none law

either neurons fire or they don’t

resting state

negative charge of -70 millivolts

resting state

this charge is caused by the presence of more negatively charged ions within the neuron than outside it

action potential

when the positive charge reacts to a critical level, the trigger is pulled and this electrical pulse travels along the axon

mirror neurons

when a person simply observes another individual carrying out the same behavior

synapse

space between two axons where the axon of a sending neuron communicates with the dendrites of a receiving neuron by using chemical messages

neurotransmitters

released by the terminal buttons

neurotransmitters

carry messages from one neuron to another

excitatory messages

chemical messages that make it more likely that a receiving neuron will fire

inhibitory messages

provides chemical info that prevents a neuron to fire

reuptake

neurotransmitters is reabsorbed by the terminal buttons

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

permit certain neurotransmitters to remain active for longer period of at certain synapse of the brain

acetylcholine

transmits messages relating to our skeletal muscle

glutamate

plays a role in memory

gamma amino butyric acid

the nervous system’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

dopamine

involved in movement, attentionl and leanrning

serotonin

associated with the regulation of sleep, eating, mood, and pain

endorphins

family of chemicals produced by the brain that are similar in structure to painkilling drugs as morphine