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28 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Biological Psychology |
way of looking at psychological issues by studying the physical basis for animal and human behavior |
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Neuron |
nerve cell |
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Dendrite |
a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body |
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Axon |
the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells |
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Myelin Sheath |
insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves |
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Action Potential |
the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle cell or nerve cell |
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Refractory Period |
a period immediately following stimulation during which a nerve or muscle is unresponsive to further stimulation |
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Threshold |
when the depolarization reaches about -55 mV a neuron will fire an action potential called the threshold |
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All or None Response |
strength of a response of a nerve cell or muscle fiber is not dependent upon the strength of the stimulus. If a stimulus is above a certain threshold, a nerve or muscle fiber will fire. |
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Synapse |
junction of neurons |
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Synaptic Gap |
minute space between the cell membrane of an axon terminal and of the target cell with which it synapses |
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Neurotransmitters |
a chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of a nerve impulse |
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Reuptake |
the absorption by a presynaptic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has secreted |
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Endorphins |
chemicals that help to relieve pain or stress, and boost happiness |
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Agonist |
substance that excites nerves |
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Antagonists |
block responses |
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Nervous System |
coordinates its actions and sensory information by transmitting signals to and from different parts of its body |
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CNS |
brain and spinal cord |
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PNS |
nerves that connect brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body |
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Nerves |
or bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs |
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Sensory Neurons |
are nerve cells within the nervous system responsible for converting external stimuli from the organism's environment into internal electrical impulses |
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Motor Neuron |
carry signals from the central nervous system to the outer parts (muscles, skin, glands) of your body |
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Interneurons |
a neuron which transmits impulses between other neurons |
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Somatic Nervous System |
nervous system associated with the voluntary control of body movements |
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Autonomic Nervous System |
control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions |
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Sympathetic Nervous System |
sympathetic nervous system activates what is often termed the fight or flight response |
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Parasympathetic Nervous System |
rest and digest system |
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Reflexes |
an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus and without conscious thought |
