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Intro to Psych > Biological: Neurons, etc > Flashcards

Biological: Neurons, etc Flashcards

(50 cards)

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1
Q

nervous system

A

an extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body

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2
Q

neuroscience

A

a branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and functions of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue

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3
Q

biological psychology OR behavioral neuroscience

A

branch of neuroscience that focuses on the biological bases of psychological processes, behavior, and learning

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4
Q

neuron

A

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

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5
Q

dendrites

A

branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons

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6
Q

soma

A

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

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7
Q

axon

A

tubelike structure that carries that neural message to other cells

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8
Q

glial cells

A

cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, clean up waste products and dead neurons, influence information processing, and, during prenatal development, influence the generation of new neurons

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9
Q

myelin

A

fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse

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10
Q

nerves

A

bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body

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11
Q

diffusion

A

process of molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration

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12
Q

resting potential

A

the state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse

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13
Q

action potential

A

the release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon

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14
Q

all-or-none

A

referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all

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15
Q

synaptic knob

A

rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals

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16
Q

axon terminals

A

branches at the end of the axon

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17
Q

synaptic vesicles

A

saclike structures found inside the synaptic know containing chemicals

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18
Q

neurotransmitter

A

chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell

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19
Q

synapse (synaptic gap)

A

microscopic fluid-filled space between the synaptic knob of one cell and the dendrites or surface of the next cell

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20
Q

receptor sites

A

three-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters

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21
Q

excitatory synapse

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A

synapse at which a neurotransmitter causes the receiving cell to stop firing

22
Q

antagonists

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A

chemical substances that block or reduce a cell’s response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters

23
Q

agonists

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A

chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell

24
Q

reuptake

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A

process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles

25
enzymatic degradation
process by which structure of neurotransmitter is altered so it can no longer act on a receptor
26
central nervous system (CNS)
part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
27
spinal cord
a long bundle of neurons that carries messages between the body and the brain and is responsible for the very fast, lifesaving reflexes
28
afferent (sensory) neuron
a neuron that carries information from the senses to the central nervous system
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efferent (motor) neuron
a neuron that carries messages from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body
30
interneuron
a neuron found in the center of the the spinal cord that receives information from the afferent (sensory) neurons and sends commands to the muscles through the efferent (motor) neurons; interneurons also make up the bulk of the neurons in the brain
31
reflex arc
the connection of the afferent (sensory) neurons to the interneurons to the efferent (motor) neuron, resulting in a reflex action
32
neuroplasticity
the ability within the brain to constantly change both the stucture and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma
33
stem cells
special cells found in all the tissues of the body that are capable of manufacturing other cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage or wear and tear
34
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
all nerves and neurons that are not contained in the brain and spinal cord but that run through the body itself
35
somatic nervous system
division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that carry information from the senses to the central nervous system and from the central nervous system to the voluntary muscles of the body
36
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
division of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves that control all of the involuntary muscles, organs, and glands
37
sensory pathway
nerves coming from the sensory organs to the central nervous system consisting of afferent neurons
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motor pathway
nerves coming from the central nervous system to the voluntary muscles, consisting of efferent neurons
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sympathetic division (fight-or-flight system)
part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal
40
parasympathetic division
part of the autonomic nervous system that restores the body to normal functioning after arousal and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organs and glands
41
endocrine glands
glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream
42
hormones
chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands
43
pituitary gland
gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormone and influences all other hormone-secreting glands (also known as the master gland)
44
pineal gland
endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secretes melatonin
45
thyroid gland
endocrine gland found in the neck; regulates metabolism
46
pancreas
endocrine gland; controls the levels of sugar in the blood
47
gonads
sex glands; secrete hormones that regulate sexual development and behavior as well as reproduction
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ovaries
the female gonads
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testes
the male gonads
50
adrenal glands
endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that secrete over 30 different hormones to deal with stress, regulate salt intake, and provide a secondary source of sex hormones affecting the sexual changes that occur during adolescence

Intro to Psych (22 decks)

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