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The basic unit of the nervous system.

Neuron

Receives incoming signals from other neurons.

Dendrites

Contains the nucleus and maintains cell functions.

Cell Body (Soma)

Carries signals away from the cell body.

Axon

Fatty covering that speeds neural transmission.

Myelin Sheath

Electrical impulse that travels down an axon.

Action Potential

Inactive electrical state of a neuron.

Resting Potential

Brief period after an action potential when another cannot occur.

Refractory Period

Gap between two neurons where communication occurs.

Synapse

Chemical messenger that carries information between neurons.

Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitter responsible for muscle movement, learning, and memory.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Disease associated with loss of acetylcholine-producing neurons.

Alzheimer's Disease

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and movement.

Dopamine

Disorder caused by too little dopamine.

Parkinson's Disease

Disorder associated with excessive dopamine activity.

Schizophrenia

Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and appetite regulation.

Serotonin

Disorder commonly linked to low serotonin levels.

Depression

Neurotransmitter responsible for alertness and arousal.

Norepinephrine

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

GABA

Conditions associated with low levels of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Anxiety and Seizures

Major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.

Glutamate

Problems associated with excessive excitatory neurotransmitter activity.

Seizures and Migraines

Natural pain-reducing neurotransmitters.

Endorphins

Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Part of the nervous system containing all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Division of the nervous system responsible for voluntary movement.

Somatic Nervous System

Division responsible for involuntary bodily functions.

Autonomic Nervous System

Division that produces fight-or-flight responses.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Division that produces rest-and-digest responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Chemical messengers released into the bloodstream.

Hormones

Master endocrine gland that regulates other glands.

Pituitary Gland

Hormone that regulates sleep cycles.

Melatonin

Hormone associated with bonding, trust, and childbirth.

Oxytocin

Brain structure controlling breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Medulla

Brain structure involved in sleep and arousal.

Pons

Brain structure responsible for balance, coordination, and motor learning.

Cerebellum

Network involved in alertness, attention, and arousal.

Reticular Formation

Major sensory relay station of the brain.

Thalamus

Only sense that largely bypasses the brain's sensory relay station.

Smell

Brain structure regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, and homeostasis.

Hypothalamus

Brain structure involved in emotion, fear, and aggression.

Amygdala

Brain structure responsible for forming new memories.

Hippocampus

Group of structures involved in movement and habit formation.

Basal Ganglia

Outer layer of the brain responsible for higher thinking and conscious awareness.

Cerebral Cortex

Lobe responsible for vision.

Occipital Lobe

Lobe responsible for hearing, language, and memory.

Temporal Lobe

Lobe responsible for touch and spatial awareness.

Parietal Lobe

Lobe responsible for planning, personality, decision making, and voluntary movement.

Frontal Lobe

Area responsible for judgment, impulse control, and decision making.

Prefrontal Cortex

Individual who demonstrated the importance of the frontal lobe after a railroad accident.

Phineas Gage