Science

action potential

electrical signal that moves down the neuron’s axon

adrenal gland

sits atop our kidneys and secretes hormones involved in the stress response

agonist

drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter

all-or-none

phenomenon that incoming signal from another neuron is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation

allele

specific version of a gene

amygdala

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories

antagonist

drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a given neurotransmitter

auditory cortex

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

autonomic nervous system

controls our internal organs and glands

axon

major extension of the soma

biological perspective

view that psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems

Broca’s area

region in the left hemisphere that is essential for language production

central nervous system (CNS)

brain and spinal cord