Chapter 2 Flashcards
All or none law
Either the neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs, or the neuron is not sufficiently stimulated and the action potential does not occur
Sensory neuron
Conveys information about the environment such as light or sound for specialized receptor cells in the sensory organs to the brain
Sympathetic nervous system
Produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats
Action potential
Messages gathered by the dendrites and the cell body and then transmitted along the axon in the form of a brief electrical impulse
Stimulus threshold
Minimum level of stimulation from other neurons or sensory receptors to activate it
Resting potential
-70 mV negative electrical charge and the axons interior
Cortical localization
The idea that particular areas of the human brain are associated with particular functions
Functional plasticity
The brains ability to shift functions from damaged on damage brain areas
Motor neuron
Communicate information from the skin and internal organs to the brain
Nerves
Made up of large bundles of neuron axons – communication
Somatic nervous system
Communicates sensory information received by sensory receptors along sensory nerves to the central nervous system then I’ll mom motor nerves to perform involuntary muscle movement
Parasympathetic nervous system
Maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the bodies physical resources
Lateralization of function
The notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain
Structural plasticity
The brains ability to change its physical structure in response to learning, active practice, or environmental influences
Autonomic nervous system
Regulates involuntary functions, such as heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion
