Chapter 2 Psychology Vocabulary Words

Neuron

the basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that receives and sends messages within that system.

Dendrites

branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons.

Soma

the cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining their life of the cell.

Axon

tubelike structure that carries the neural message to other cells.

Myelin

fatty substances that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse.

Axon terminals

branches at the end of the axon

neurotransmitter

chemical found in synpatic vesicles that when released, has an affect on the next cell.

central nervous system

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

sensory neuron

a neuron that carries information from the senses to the CNS

motor neuron

a neuron that carries messages from the CNS to the muscles of the body.

interneuron

a neuron found in the center of the spinal cord that receives information from the sensory neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the motor neurons. Interneuron also make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain.

peripheral nervous system

all nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself.

autonomic nervous system

division of the PNS consisting of nerves that control all the involuntary muscles, organs, and glads.

sympathetic division

part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal.

parasympathetic division

part of the ANS that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands.

endocrine gland

glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream.

hormones

chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands

pituitary gland

gland located I the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master guard)

pineal gland

endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secretes melatonin

thyroid gland

endocrine gland found in the neck; regulates metabolism