AP psychology chap. 2 sect. 1-2

Neuron

Fundamental building block cells of the nervous system

Dendrite

Fibers receiving information from receptors/neurons

Axon

Fibers passing information to other neurons

Myelin sheath

Fatty tissue layer insulating and speeding impulses some neurons

Threshold

Minimum intensity before signals start

All - or - none response

once the threshold is hit fires signals to other neurons

Resting potential

fluids inside axons carry mostly negative atoms; outside fluid has mostly positive atoms

Action potential

Once the axon is a little depolarized; the pulse travels down, the channels opens; positive ions

Refactory period

Getting rid of positive ions to reach a polarized state and recharge

Polarized state

internal axon is negative

Depolarized state

Internal axon is positive

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger clustered in synaptic vesicles and stored in the axon terminal

Acetylecholine

• Muscle movement

• Attention

• Arousal

• Memory

• Emotion

Lacking can lead to Alzheimer’s; memory issues

Dopamine

• Voluntary movement

• Learning

• Memory

• Rewards and pleasure (cause of addiction)

Too much leads to Schizophrenia; overactive imagination (hallucination)

Too little leads to Parkinsonism; Uncontrollable movements

Endorphins

• Pain relief

• Pleasure

Serotonin

• Sleep/wakefulness

• Appetite

• Mood

• Aggression

• Impulsivity

• Sensory perception

• Temperature regulation

• Pain suppression

Too little causes Depression; Lack of energy, appetite, and mood, etc.

GABA

• Main inhibition neurotransmitter (calm activity)

Too much causes Anxiety; Excessive worrying

Too much also causes Seizure disorders; Brain overloads

Glutamate

• Main excitatory neurotransmitter

• 
  

Too much leads to Multiple sclerosis; Nerve damage

Synaptic vesicle

Air sack that contains neurotransmitters

Axon terminal/button

Gives information to other cells; end of the axon

Synapse/synaptic cleft

A small gap between the terminal axon and reception cell

Post synaptic membrane

Special surface with neurotransmitter receptors

Reuptake

Reabsorption of excessive neurotransmitters

Long term potential

Strengthening synapses in order to increase signal transmission

Afferent neurons (Sensory)

Sends information into the brain

Efferent neurons (Motor)

Sends information out the brain

Interneurons

Connection between efferent and afferent

Mirror neurons

Mirrors observed behavior

Glial cells

Supports, nourishes, and protects neurons

Agonists

Imitates natural neurotransmitters effects/blocks re uptake

Antagonists

Inhibit neurotransmitters release/blocking effects

Nervous system (NS)

Network of nerves throughout the human body

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain/spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

???

Somatic nervous system (SNS)

Conscious of the peripheral

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

unconscious of the peripheral

Sympathetic nervous system (S N.S)

Arousal/alert

Parasympathetic nervous system (P N.S)

Calm/at rest

Endocrine system

A system of glands producing hormones

Pituitary gland

Responsible for your growth; most influential

Thyroid

Responsible for metabolism

Adrenal gland

Responsible for adrenaline; triggers fight or flight

Pancreas

Responsible for blood sugar

Ovaries (estrogen)

Responsible for producing estrogen

Testes (testosterone)

Responsible for producing testosterone