nervous system neuron

Dendrites

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

Soma

cell body; location of organelles

Axon

the extension of a neuron, ending in branching terminal fibers, through which messages pass to other neurons or to muscles or glands

terminal fibers

branches at the end of the axon that release neurotransmitters

myelin sheath

made of lipids; covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

synaptic cleft (synapse)

tiny gap that separates the axon terminal of one neuron from the dendrite terminal of the next neuron

reuptake transporter

protein that removes neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft to inactivate the signaling

Acetylcholine

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

Dopamine

a neurotransmitter that regulates your reward pathway/pleasure, learning/memory, muscle control/posture, & attention

GABA

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter (Deals with sleep, and regulating anxiety)

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory/learning/thought (5 senses)

Epinephrine

a neurotransmitter associated with the fight-or-flight response (sugar/glucose metabolism), energy during exercise

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal, as well as in learning and mood regulation, dreaming in sleep, and blood pressure during fight-or-flight

Endorphins

inhibitory neural regulators; involved in pain relief

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, body temperature and arousal

Cocaine

Blocks dopamine reuptake transporters; overstimulates the reward pathway

Amphetamines

Mimic dopamine and gets taken up by the reuptake transporters, replacing dopamine in the vesicles and overstimulating the reward pathway

Inhalants

Degrades the myelin sheaths and can have a variety of effects

Opiates

Mimic endorphins, and bind to receptors that turn off inhibitory neurotransmitters --- this causes dopamine to flood the pain pathway

Alcohol

Increases/Stimulates the effects of GABA AND blocks the effects of Glutamate; you cannot stimulate a large part of your brain

Nicotine

Mimics Ach and binds to the Ach receptors, overstimulating the neuron. In addition, has effects on the enzymes that break down dopamine.

Marijuana (THC)

Mimics Anandamide neurotransmitter and attaches onto the receptor. Causes those areas to be flooded with dopamine (specifically in areas involved in memory, mood, appetite, and emotion).

LSD (acid)

Powerful hallucinogenic drug that blocks and mimics serotonin and both inhibits and excites different areas of the brain. Causes a variety of sensory effects.

ecstasy

Mimics serotonin and gets taken up by the reuptake transporters, pushing serotonin into the synapse. Toxic to the neuron and causes incorrect dendrite regrowth.

resting potential

The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane

action potential

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

inhibitory neurotransmitters

chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that try to prevent the next neuron from firing

excitatory neurotransmitters

chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that try to get the next neuron to fire

Polarization of neuron

having a separation of charges; negative ions on the inside and positive on the exterior of the neuron

Depolarization

The process during the action potential when channels open and allow ions to move into/out of the cell, until an equilibrium has been reached