Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
neurotransmission
a process by which the nervous system transmits signals throughout the body
neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
sensory (afferent) neurons
neurons that carry sensory information from the outside world to the brain and spinal cord
motor (efferent) neurons
neurons that carry signals from the brain to the peripheral nervous system to start an action
interneurons
a neuron that conveys impulses from one neuron to another. Intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
somatic nervous system
division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles (voluntary movement)
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (involuntary movement)
sympathetic nervous system
fight or flight division of the autnomic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
rest and relax division of the autonomic nervous system
endocrine system
a system of glands that secretes hormones into the bloodstream. controls growth and development
pituitary gland
controlled by the hypothalamus, this gland regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands (endocrine system)
adrenal glands
pair of endocrine glands that secrete hormones which arouse the body in times of stress
hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream
