Studied by 1 person
Dendrites
a neurons bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
Axon
the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands
myelin
the substance that forms the insulating sheath around the axons of many neurons
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
endorphins
“moraphine within’ natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
all or none response
a neurons reaction of either firing or not firing
synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap/cleft
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites, on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse
reuptake
a neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
nervous system
the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of th peripheral and central nervous system
antagonist
a molecule that by, binding to a receptor site, inhibits or blocks a response
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
nerves
bundled axons that form neural “cables” connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands and sense organs
Sensory neurons
neurons that carry incoming information form the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
motor neurons
neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
interneurons
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls glands and the muscles of the internal organs (heart) its sympathetic division arouses its parasympathetic division calms
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
reflex
a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as knee-jerk response
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
natural selection
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)
epigenetics
the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues
behavior genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetics and environmental influences on behavior
environment
every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins
genomes
the complete instructions for making an organism consisting of all the genetic material in that organisms chromosomes
monozygotic (identical) twins
twins who develop form a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
dizygotic (fraternal) twins
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters but they share a fetal environment
barbiturates
drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement
heritability
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied
Hallucinogens
psychedelic “mind-manifesting” drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
glial cells
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; they may also play a role in learning and thinking
nature v. nuture
the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that gene and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Todays science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nuture
psychoactive drug
a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods
substance use disorder
continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk
stimulants
drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cosine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
tolerance
the diminishing effect with regular use of the sam e dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drugs effect
withdraw
the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing and addictive drug or behavior
depression
a negative affective state, ranging from unhappiness and discontent to an extreme feeling or sadness, pessimism, and despondency, that interferes with daily life
opioids
any of group of compounds that include the naturally occurring opiates (morphine) and their semisynthetic derivatives (heroin) the synthetic opioid agonists, opioid antagonists and mixed agonist-antagonists and the endogenous opioids
cell body
the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and most organelles
agonist
a drug or other chemical agent that birds to a particular receptor and produces a physiological effect, typically one similar to that of the body’s own neurotransmitter at that receptor
Twin studies show?
mental processes and behaviors
identical twins have the same?
DNA, sex, and egg
what 3 tasks do neurons perform?
receive information form the neurons that feed it, carry information down its length, and pass the information on to the next neuron
sensory neurons communicate what?
your sensory experiences to the brain including vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, pain and balance
motor neurons do what?
transport messages away from the brain to the muscles, organs and glands
sensory and motor neurons look to what to communicate?
interneurons
dendrite
accepts incoming messages and passes them to the soma/cell body and is selectively permeable
what does the cell body hold?
cells nucleus and life-support machinery
where does the message go if the cell body passes on the message?
the axon
the axon is?
a single, larger “transmitter” fiber that extends from the soma that is the extension of the neuron through which the neural impulses are sent
when the neuron is resting it is?
negatively charged
when the neuron is firing it is?
positively charged
when the neuron is firing what is it called?
action potential
the myelin sheath does what?
protects the axon
Schwann cells are specific type of what?
glial cells
where does the axon gets its energy?
charged chemicals called ions
when ions are negatively charged it is?
resting potential
excitatory signal do what?
push the neuron to fire
inhibitory signals do what?
block the neuron from firing
action potential is followed by?
a refractory period that is a recharging period
can a neuron go back from firing?
no, once it fires it cannot go back, this is called an all or nothing response
depolarization is?
when action potential passes from the resting potential in the cell body into the action potential in the axon
the process of sending a signal across this small space is known as?
neurotransmission
Acetocholine (Ach) is what type of signal?
excitatory
Acetocholine (Ach) has what function?
stimulates muscle contraction; involved in attention, memory, learning and general intellectual functioning
Dopamine is what type of signal?
inhibitory
Dopamine has what functions?
pleasurable sensation involved in voluntary movement, attention, and learning
Serotonin is what type of signal?
inhibitory
Serotonin has what functions?
moods and emotional states, hunger regulation of sleep and wakefulness (arousal)
Norepinephrine is what type of signal?
excitatory
Norepinephrine has what functions?
used for arousal in the flight/fight response, modulation of mood, plays a role in learning and memory retrieval
GABA has what functions?
helps to offset excitatory messages and regulate daily sleep-wake cycles
GABA is what type of signal?
inhibitory
Endorphins is what type of signal?
Inhibitory
Endorphins has what functions?
involved in pain perceptions and positive emotions. Similar to opiate family of drugs
Glutamate is what type of signal?
excitatory
Glutamate has what functions?
Used in memory, learning, movement. Helps messages cross the synapse more efficiently
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