AP Psychology 1.3a terms

neurons

transmit information and are the basic building block of the nervous system.

Glial cells

cells support, nourish, and protect neurons in the nervous system.

Neural transmission

passage of a nerve impulse across a synapse

Action potential

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

all or nothing principle

Once action potential reaches threshold, either fires or doesn't

Depolarization

A change in the inside/outside charge difference.

Refractory Period

A brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired; subsequent action potentials cannot occur until the axon returns to its resting state.

resting potential

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

Reuptake

A neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse.

Agonists

molecules increase a neurotransmitter's action. Some increase the production or release of neurotransmitters or block synaptic reuptake.

Antagonists

molecules decrease a neurotransmitter's action by blocking production or release.

Excitatory neurotransmitters

excite the next cell into firing

inhibatory neurotransmitters

chemicals released from the terminal buttons of a neuron that inhibit the next neuron from firing

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion. An oversupply is linked to schizophrenia. An undersupply is linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's disease.

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. An undersupply is linked to depression.

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal. An undersupply can depress mood.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory. An oversupply can produce migraines or seizures.

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. An undersupply is linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

Endorphins

Influence the perception of pain or pleasure. An oversupply with opioid drugs can suppress the body's natural supply.

Acetylcholine

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory. With Alzheimer's disease, ACh-producing neurons deteriorate.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

Adrenaline

Hormone that increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar; providing a surge of energy to power our fight-or-flight response

Oxytocin

Hormone that stimulates uterine contractions in childbirth and lactation after childbirth.