biopsychology: nervous system

Question 1

dendrites

Answer 1

branching extensions of the cell body. receives messages from neurons

Question 2

soma (cell body)

Answer 2

life support center of neuron

Question 3

axon

Answer 3

long extrusion of neuron. covered with myelin sheaths to speed up and insulate messages thru neurons.

Question 4

neuron

Answer 4

nerve cell that communicates thru an electrochemical process.

Question 5

axon terminal / terminal branches

Answer 5

branched ends of axons. transmits messages to other neurons

Question 6

synapse / synaptic gap / synaptic cleft

Answer 6

junction between the axon tip of sending neuron and the dendrite / cell body of receiving neuron.

Question 7

neutrotransmitters

Answer 7

chemicals released from sending neuron. Travels across synapse and binds to receptors.

Question 8

neurotransmitter serotonin, high and low levels

Answer 8

mood, sleep, hunger, arousal
- high: happy
- low: depression

Question 9

neurotransmitter dopamine, high and low levels

Answer 9

reward, motivates, movement, attention, memory
- high: schizo, impulse control problem
- low: tremors, parkinson’s, mood swings

Question 10

neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACH), high and low levels

Answer 10

muscle contractions, memory
- high: spasms, terrors
- low: paralysis, alzheimers

Question 11

neurotransmitter endorphins, high and low levels

Answer 11

pain relief
- high: pain free
- low: pain

Question 12

neurotransmitter norpinephrine, high and low levels

Answer 12

alertness, arousal
- high: released FF response
- low: depressed mood

Question 13

neurotransmitter GABA, high and low levels

Answer 13

calm nervous system
- high: difficulty concentrating
- low: mood disorder, memory problems, insomnia

Question 14

electrochemcial signal

Answer 14

carried by nerves to and from the nervous system as well as in between and other tissues/organs

Question 15

neural impulse

Answer 15

brief electrical charge that travels down an axon and is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in & out of channels

Question 16

central nervous system

Answer 16

brain and spinal cord

Question 17

peripheral nervous system

Answer 17

sensory and motor neurons that connect CNS to the body

Question 18

somatic nervous system

Answer 18

controls skeletal muscles (voluntary movement)

Question 19

automatic nervous system

Answer 19

controls glands and other muscles (auto actions)

Question 20

sympathetic nervous system (auto)

Answer 20

AROUSES, mobilizing energy. Fight Flight Freeze

Question 21

parasympathetic nervous system (auto)

Answer 21

CALMS, conserving energy

Question 22

what happens when FFF kicks in?

Answer 22

• mobilize energy
• hyperventilating, inc. heartbeat and blood pressure, blood goes to major muscle groups