PSY101 Topic 3 lecture

Neuron

The basic structure of the nervous system that conveys signals and underlies thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive incoming signals from other neurons.

Soma (Cell Body)

The control center of a neuron that contains the nucleus and is essential for manufacturing proteins.

Axon

The long part of a neuron that transmits electrical signals known as action potentials.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty substance that surrounds and protects the axon, speeding up signal transmission.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.

Synapse

The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released and received.

Action Potential

An electrical signal that travels down the axon, resulting in the release of neurotransmitters.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that perform various functions, such as nutrition and cleaning.

Astrocytes

A type of glial cell that provides structure and nutrition to neurons.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that form the myelin sheath around axons.

Microglia

Small glial cells involved in cleaning debris and immune responses in the nervous system.

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential

A positive change in the membrane potential of a postsynaptic neuron that makes it more likely to fire an action potential.

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential

A negative change in the membrane potential of a postsynaptic neuron that makes it less likely to fire an action potential.

Saltatory Conduction

The rapid transmission of nerve impulses along myelinated axons, where the impulse jumps from one node of Ranvier to the next.

Neuroplasticity

The nervous system's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience and learning.

Neurogenesis

The process of developing new neurons, primarily occurring during prenatal development and in certain brain regions in adulthood.

Synaptogenesis

The formation of new synapses between neurons.

Hippocampus

A brain structure important for learning and memory.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for complex thought processes, language, and personality.

Thalamus

The brain's sensory relay center, directing sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cortex.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates motivated behaviors such as hunger, thirst, and sexual drives.

Endocrine System

A system responsible for producing hormones that regulate long-term behavior through the bloodstream.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for rest and digestion activities.

Cerebellum

A brain structure responsible for balance, coordination, and fine motor control.

Medulla

A vital part of the brainstem that regulates essential functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain responsible for higher-order cognitive processes like planning and decision-making.

Temporal Lobe

The brain region involved in auditory processing, language comprehension, and memory.

Occipital Lobe

The brain area primarily responsible for visual processing.

Parietal Lobe

The brain region associated with processing sensory information and spatial orientation.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe responsible for speech production.

Wernicke's Area

A brain region important for language comprehension.

Lateralization

The tendency for certain cognitive processes to be more dominant in one hemisphere of the brain than the other.

Corpus Callosum

The bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Agonist

A substance that stimulates or enhances the effects of neurotransmitters.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or inhibits the effects of neurotransmitters.

Action Potential Threshold

The level of depolarization that must be reached for an action potential to occur.

Heritability

The proportion of variation in a trait that can be attributed to genetic factors.

Long Term Potentiation

A long-lasting strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

Glutamate

The main excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning.

GABA

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction and cortical arousal.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward processing and motor control.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation and emotional responses.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that help relieve pain and induce feelings of pleasure.

Anandamide

A neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood and appetite.

Pet Scan

A brain imaging technique that shows how tissues and organs function.