A | B |
biological psychology | branch of psych concerned with links between bx and biology |
neuron | basic building block of nervous system |
dendrite | branching extension of neuron to receive messages and conduct impulses toward cell body |
axon | extension of neuron through which messages pass to other neurons, muscles, or glands |
myelin sheath | layer of fatty tissue segmentally covering axon; enhances transmission of neural impulses |
action potential | neural impulse; electrical charge that travels an axon |
threshold | level of stimulation required to trigger neural impulse |
synapse | junction between axon of sending neuron and dendrite or body of recieving neuron |
neurotransmitter | chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps |
acetylcholine (ACh) | neurotransmitter; enables muscle action, learning, and memory |
dopamine | neurotransmitter; influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion |
serotonin | neurotransmitter; affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal |
norepinephrine | neurotransmitter; helps control alertness and arousal |
GABA | major inhibitory neurotransmitter |
glutamate | major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory |
endorphins | natural opiatelike neurotransmitter; linked to pain control and pleasure |
agonist | excites |
antagonists | inhibit |
nervous system | body's electrochemical communication system |
central nervous system (CNS) | brain and spinal cord |
preipheral nervous system (PNS) | neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body |
nerves | neural cables containing bundled axons connecting CNS to muscles, glands, and sense organs (part of PNS) |
sensory neurons | carry incoming information from sense receptors to CNS |
interneurons | CNS neurons that communicate between sensory inputs and motor outputs |
motor neurons | carry outgoing information from CNS to muscles and glands |
somatic nervous system | part of PNS that controls skeletal muscles |
autonmomic nervous system | part of PNS controls glands and muscles of internal organs |
sympathetic nervous system | arouses one for defensive action |
parasympathetic nervous system | calms one and conserves energy |
reflex | simple, automatic, inborn response to sensory stimulation |
neural networks | interconnected neural cells |
endocrine system | slow chemical communication systemt made of glands that secrete hormones into bloodstream |
hormones | chemical messengers that are produced in one tisue and affect another |
adrenal glands | pair of endocrine glands above the kidneys that secrete epinephrine and norepinehrine to arouse the body in times of stress |
pituitary gland | gland that regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands |