Unit 2 : Flashcards
(122 cards)
biological psychology
Study of links between biological (genetics, nerves, and hormones) and psychological processes
neuron
A nerve cell, basic building block of nervous system
dendrites
Neurons bushy, receives messages and conduct impulses toward cell body
axon
Fibers that pass the message through terminal branches to other neurons, muscles, and glands
Dendrites listen, axon speak
myelin shealth
Layer of fatty tissue that insulates + speeds their impulses
action potential
Brief electrical charge which travels down axon (impulse)
refractory period
Period of inactivity after neuron is fired, pumps sodium ions back outside
threshold
Level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
all-or-non response
Neurons reaction of either firing (w full strength) or not. (Doesn’t affect strength or speed, but the amount of neurons fired)
synapse
Junction/ gap between axon tip (send) and dendrite cell body (receive)
neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers cross synaptic gap between neurons. Influence if neutral impulse will be generated
reuptake
Neurotransmitters reabsorption by the sending neuron
endorphins
Natural neurotransmitters liked to pain and pleasure
agonist
Molecule that binds and stimulates a response
antagonists
Molecule that binds and blocks response
nervous system
Body’s speedy electrochemical communication with nerves between peripheral and central nervous sustems
central nervous system (CNS)
Brain and spinal chord
Body’s decision maker
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
nerves
Electrical cables formed of bundles of axons, link the CNS with body’s sensory receptors, muscles and glands
sensory neurons
Neurons that carry incoming info from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal chord
motor neurons
Carry outgoing info from brain and spinal chord to muscles and glands
interneurons
Neurons within the brain and spinal chord that communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs
somatic nervous system
PNS; controls body’s skeletal muscles (skeletal nervous system)
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
PNS; controls glands and muscles of internal organs (controlled by sympathetic/parasympathetic)