Neuroscience & Behavior

Jill Botte Taylor

Neurobiologist who experienced a stroke and gave a TED Talk about it.

CNS (Central Nervous System)

Vital control center of the body, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)

Nerves that send messages to perform actions like breathing and walking.

Somatic nervous system

Part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements through motor neurons.

Efferent

Neurons that carry information from the CNS to muscles, glands, and organs to initiate action.

Afferent

Neurons that carry sensory information to the CNS for processing.

S.A.M.E

Acronym for Sensory Afferent Motor Efferent, describing the flow of information in the nervous system.

Reflexes

Automatic responses tested to assess sensory and motor neuron function.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect motor and sensory neurons and interpret sensory signals.

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary functions.

Parasympathetic

Division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the "rest and digest" response.

Sympathetic

Division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the "fight or flight" response.

Neurons

Basic units of the nervous system that transmit information.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit messages between neurons.

Dendrites

Structures on neurons that receive incoming messages.

Axon terminals

End points of neurons that send messages to other neurons.

Myelin sheath

Protective covering that increases the speed of signal transmission in neurons.

Action Potential

Electrical charge that travels along a neuron, changing polarization.

Threshold

Minimum electrical charge needed for a neuron to fire.

Latency period

Time during which a neuron cannot fire after an action potential.

All or nothing response

Neuron fires completely or not at all once the threshold is reached.

Intensity

Consistent strength of the action potential along the axon.

Demyelination

Loss of myelin sheath, impairing neuron function.

Multiple sclerosis

Condition that attacks the myelin sheath, affecting signal transmission.

Neurotransmitter recycling

Process where neurotransmitters are reused after transmitting signals.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter associated with memory.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward.

Epinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in the fight or flight response.

GABA

Neurotransmitter that promotes calmness.

Glutamate

Neurotransmitter associated with excitement and learning.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that regulates mood.

Psychiatric drugs

Medications that affect neurotransmitter activity to treat mental health conditions.

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor that increases serotonin levels in the synapse.

Agonist

Substance that activates a receptor in the nervous system.

Antagonist

Substance that blocks a receptor in the nervous system.