Unit 3 Psych

Neuron

a nerve cell; basic building block of the nervous system

Dendrite

a neuron's branches/ extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses towards the cell body

Myelin Sheath

encases axons to enable greater transmission speed/ provides protection and insulation (the jacket for message so they are not leaked)

Action Potential

neural/electrical impulse (aka the message), travels down an axon

Resting Potential

aka polarized; neuron has a slight negative charge (waiting/ ready for the message)

Refractory Period

period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

Synapse

meeting point between neurons

Reuptake

sending neuron reabsorbs the excess neurotransmitters

Dopamine

a neurotransmitter that influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Serotonin

a neurotransmitter that affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

a neurotransmitter that helps control alertness and arousal

Sympathetic nervous system

emergency response system, (increase in heart rate when scared, attention focused, muscle tension increase, adrenaline flows, etc.)

Somatic nervous system

includes nerves that transmit signals from brain to skeletal muscles to allow voluntary movement (walking, jumping, waving, texting, etc.)

Autonomic nervous system

controls involuntary functions (ex- breathing, heart rate, etc.)

Parasympathetic nervous system

default condition of ANS, functions to calm a person (ex- reduce energy expenditure, decrease blood sugar, increase blood flow to digestive organs, etc.)

Hormone

chemical messengers manufactured by the endocrine glands that travel through bloodstream and affect other tissues (influence interests in food, sex, and agression)

Endocrine system

the body's "slow" chemical communication system, interconnected with nervous system (endocrine glands secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers)

Electroencephalogram

recording of electrical activity of brain's surface (measure by electrodes placed on the scalp)

MRI

uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue (show brain anatomy)

Thalamus

brain's sensory control (located on top of brainstem)

Hypothalamus

directs maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature, etc. and helps govern endocrine system by pituitary gland, linked to emotion and reward (below the thalamus)

Amygdala

small bean-sized neural cluster in the limbic system; linked to emotion

Hippocampus

processes conscious memories; part of the limbic system