Chapter 3 - Neurons & Nervous System

Biopsychology

Focuses on the biological mechanisms underlying behavior.

Genetics

Studies how inherited genes affect a person.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information from the senses to the central nervous system; also called afferent neurons.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that carry messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body.

Interneurons

Neurons found in the spinal cord that receive information from sensory neurons and send commands to muscles through motor neurons.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty substance that insulates axons and helps signals travel down the axon quicker.

Synapse

The space between a neuron's terminal button and the next neuron's dendrite.

Limbic System

Mediates emotional response and memory; constructed of multiple sections.

Endocrine System

A series of glands that produce hormones to regulate normal body function.

Pituitary Gland

The master gland controlling secretions of all other glands.

Terminal Button

The small knobs at the end of an axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another, influencing functions such as mood, sleep, and cognition.

Dendrite

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body.

Axon

The long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the Soma to communicate with other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus and organelles, responsible for maintaining the cell's functions.

Action Potential

The electrical signal neurons send.

Receptor

Specialized proteins located on the surface of (neurons) that detect and respond to neurotransmitters

Reuptake

Moving a neurotransmitter back into the axon terminal it was released from the synapse.

Central Nervous System

Composed of the brain and spinal cord

Peripheal Nervous System

System that connects the rest of the body to the CNS. Contains the Somatic and Autonomic Systems

Somatic System

Nervous system that process our 5 senses and muscles that move the body.

Autonomic

Controls our internal organs and glands and can be divided into the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems; Maintians homeostasis.

Sympathetic nervous system

Involved in stress-related activities and functions; prepares us for fight or flight.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Associated with routine, day-to-dayoperations of the body under relaxed conditions.