axon (location and function): Transfers messages from the soma.

myelin sheath (location and function)

neuron

glial cells: Support and nourish neurons 

dendrite (location and function):

soma/cell body (location)

nucleus (location)

axon terminal buttons (location and function)

action potential

threshold: minimum amount of stimulation needed for the soma to create a neural impulse

synapse

Refractory Period: rest period after an impulse 

Reuptake

neurotransmitter

Excitatory: Promotes the generation of an action potential 

Inhibitory: Prevents generation of an action potential on the receiving neuron

agonist: Chemicals that mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter (Ex: Heroin mimics endorphins)

antagonist: Blocks the transmission of reception of a neural transmitter (black widow bites)

acetylcholine (see pg. 82 and notes): Excitatory signal for muscle movement and memory (deficit leads to paralysis and alzheimers)

endorphins (see pg. 82 and notes): Inhibitory signal that blocks pain, deficit relates to withdraw symptoms

serotonin (see pg. 82 and notes): Inhibitory signal for sleep, mood, and appetite (deficit leads to depression)

norepinephrine (see pg. 82 and notes): Excitatory signal for increasing heart rate, breathing, blood pressure. Related to flight or flight

dopamine (see pg. 82 and notes): Excitatory signal for addiction, involuntary muslce stability, attention. Excess leads to ADHD, schiz, tourettes. Deficit leads to parkinson’s 

glutamate  (see pg. 82 and notes): Excitatory signal for thinking and learning and the internal clock. Excess leads to migraines and seizures.

GABA (see pg. 82 and notes): Opposite of norep, Inhibitory signal for calming and relaxation, deficit leads to anxiety disorders

Substance P (in notes): Opposite of endorphins, causes pain

Substance Use Disorder

Psychoactive Drug: Drugs that change consciousness

Tolerance

Withdrawal

Depressants: Slow down neural activity through GABA and/or endorphins

Stimulants: Speeds up neural activity through dopamine or norepinephrine

Hallucinogens: Distorts perception through serotonin

Opiates (example of depressant…know characteristics): Painkilling drugs derived from opium or are synthetically produced.

Nicotine: Mild stimulant from tabacco

Cocaine: Strong stimulant in powdered and crack cocaine

LSD: Very strong hallucinogen 

Cannabis/Marijuana/THC: Mild halllucinogens

Central Nervous system

peripheral nervous system

somatic nervous system: Control voluntary movements

autonomic nervous system: Controls internal organs

sympathetic nervous System: Under autonomic, fight or flight.

Parasympathetic nervous system: Under autonomic, Rest and digest

sensory (afferent) neurons

interneurons: In spinal cord, think of touching a hot pan

motor (efferent) neurons

lesion: Damaged tissue of the brain used to study portions of the brain

reflex arc (in notes): Think of hot pan

endocrine System: The “slow chemical communication system”, responsible for puberty and growth

hormones: Not neurotransmitters, responsible for growth and puberty, released in the endocrine system.