Chapter 2 key terms psych

Afferent

conducting or conducted inwards or towards something

autonomic nervous system

a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's internal organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about their activities

brain

an intricate network of cells that plays a vital role in processing information received through nerve pathways from the body and in directing actions within the body

central nervous system

the brain and spinal cord

conscious response

a reaction to a sensory stimulus that involves awareness; usually voluntary, goal-directed and with some degree of control over it

dopamine

a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator with multiple functions depending on where it acts; functions include roles in coordinating movement, learning and behaviours that are rewarding

enteric nervous system

a sub-division of the autonomic nervous system embedded within the walls of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract and dedicated to its functioning

efferent

conducted or conducting outwards or away from something

excitatory effect

when a neurotransmitter stimulates or activates a postsynaptic neuron to perform its functions

ganglia

small clusters of neurons

gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)

the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, making postsynaptic neurons less likely to fire

glutamate

the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, thereby enhancing information transmission by making postsynaptic neurons more likely to fire

inhibitory effect

when a neurotransmitter blocks or prevents a postsynaptic neuron from firing and therefore performing its functions

interneuron

a neuron which transmits impulses between other neurons, especially as part of a reflex arc

long-term depression

the long-lasting decrease in the strength of synaptic connections and transmission and neuronal response

long-term potentiation

the long-lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission due to repeated strong stimulation

motor neuron

a nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland

nervous system complex

highly organised network of specialised cells that enables the brain to receive information about what is going on from both inside and outside the body and to respond appropriately

neural pathway

a route based on interconnected neurons that form a communication network within the brain and between the brain and other parts of the nervous system and body

neural synapse (also called neural junction or synapse)

the site where communication typically occurs between adjacent neurons

neuromodulator (also called modulator neurotransmitter)

a neurotransmitter that can influence the effects of other neurotransmitters

neurons

the building blocks of the brain and the rest of the nervous system

neurotransmission

the transmission of nerve impulses between neurons or between a neuron and a muscle fibre or other structure

neurotransmitter

a chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, glands or other tissue

parasympathetic nervous system

a sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that calms or restores the body to its normal state of functioning after the need for sympathetic nervous system activation has passed

peripheral nervous system

entire network of nerves located outside the central nervous system; carries information to and from the central nervous system (via its somatic and autonomic sub-divisions)

pruning (also called synaptic pruning)

the elimination of weak, ineffective or unused synapses (and therefore connections to other neurons)

rerouting

when new connections are made between neurons to create alternate neural pathways

sensory stimuli

any event or object that is received by the senses and elicits a response from a person

sensory neuron

nerve cells that are activated by sensory input from the environment

sensory receptor

a nerve ending that sends signals to the. central nervous system when it is stimulated

serotonin

a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator with multiple functions depending on where it acts; functions include emotional processing, mood, and sleep onset

somatic nervous system

a sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information to the central nervous system and motor information from it

spinal reflex (also called reflex arc)

an unconscious, involuntary response to certain stimuli, initiated within the spinal cord and controlled solely by neural circuits

spinal cord

a long, thin bundle of nerve tissue connecting the brain and rest of the body via the peripheral nervous system; initiates simple reflex responses independently of the brain

sprouting

the creation of new extensions on a neuron to allow it to make new connections with other neurons

synaptic plasticity

the ability of a synapse to change in response to experience

synaptic gap (also called synaptic cleft)

the tiny space between the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron

sympathetic nervous system

a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system; activates internal muscles, organs and glands to prepare for vigorous activity or to deal with a stressor, fear stimulus, threat or emergency

unconscious response

a reaction to a sensory stimulus that does not involve awareness; involuntary, unintentional, automatic and we cannot ordinarily control its occurrence