branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
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soma
cell body of a neuron
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axon
the extension/tail of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands and electrical signals are conducted
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myelin sheath
covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed up the action potential
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axon terminal
The endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored
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synapse
the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron
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afferent neurons
send messages from the body up to the brain. APPROACH the brain.
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efferent neurons
send messages from the brain to the body. EXIT the brain.
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action potential
the electrical signal travelling down from the soma to the axon terminal
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interneurons
connectors for other neurons
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mirror neurons
Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain's mirroring of another's action may enable imitation, language learning, and empathy.
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glial cells
"housekeeping" cells that clean up after neurons. keeps the nervous system clean so the neurons can do their job.
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all or none principle/firing threshold
Once a neuron reaches a firing threshold it is going to send a message. It either fires at full strength or does not fire.
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Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction
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dopamine
A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain's pleasure and reward system.
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endorphins
natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
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Epinephrine
Neurotransmitter secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress. Also known as adrenaline.
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GABA
An inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that slows it down
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glutamate
A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory
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serotonin
A neurotransmitter that affects hunger,sleep, arousal, and mood.
Studied by 17 people
