Ch 2 Bio of Mind Flashcards
(37 cards)
the brain’s ability to change especially during childhood by reorganizing after damage or building new pathways
plasticity
the scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes
biological psychology
the interdisciplinary study of brain activity linked with cognition
cognitive neuroscience
a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
neuron
neuron extensions that receive messages and conduct them toward the cell body
dendrites
the neuron extension that sends messages to other neurons or muscles and glands
axon
a nerve impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
action potential
cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
glial cells
the junction between the axon tip of a sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of a receiving neuron
synapse
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
threshold
in neural processing, a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired
refractory period
neuron produced chemicals that cross the synaptic gap to carry messages to other neurons, muscles or glands
neurotransmitters
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron
reuptake
natural opiate like neurotransmitter linked to pain control; “morphine within”
endorphins
brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
sensory and motor neurons connecting the CNS system to the rest of the body
peripheral nervous system
a neuron that carries incoming info from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
sensory neuron
a neuron that carries outgoing info from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
motor neuron
neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and process info between sensory inputs and motor outputs
interneuron
peripheral nervous system division that controls skeletal muscles
somatic nervous system
peripheral nervous system division that controls the glands and muscles of internal organs
autonomic nervous system
autonomic nervous system division that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy
sympathetic nervous system
autonomic nervous system division that calms the body, conserving energy
parasympathetic nervous system
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress
adrenal glands
