Biological Psychology

Front 1

Nervous System

Back 1

billions of cells that make up your brain, spinal cord and other nerve fibers. 3 main functions are input, process and output

Front 2

Neuron

Back 2

cells that are specialized to rapidly respond to signals and to quickly send signal of their own

Front 3

Glial Cell

Back 3

hold neurons in place and help sustain them "glue"

Front 4

Axon

Back 4

fibers that carry signals away from the cell body, out to where communication occurs with other neurons. AWAY

Front 5

Dendrite

Back 5

fibers that receive signals from the axons of other neurons and carry those signals to the cell body. DIRECT

Front 6

Synapse

Back 6

tiny gap between neurons across which they communicate

Front 7

Myelin

Back 7

a fatty substance that wraps around some axons and increases the speed of action potentials. larger=faster

Front 8

Action potential

Back 8

an abrupt wave of electrochemical changes traveling down an axon when a neuron becomes depolarized and sodium rushes in to the axon

Front 9

Refractory Period

Back 9

a short rest between action potentials. neurons cannot be fired again until re-polarization

Front 10

Neurotransmitters

Back 10

chemicals that help transfer signals from one neuron to another stored in the vesicles
they effect emotions, thoughts and behavior

Front 11

Receptors

Back 11

sites on the surface of a cell that allow only one type of neurotransmitter to fit into them, triggering a chemical response that may lead to an action potential

Front 12

Sensory Systems

Back 12

hearing, vision, taste, smell, touch

Front 13

Motor Systems

Back 13

parts of the nervous system that influence muscles and other organs to respond to the environment

Front 14

Peripheral Nervous System PNS

Back 14

part of the nervous system not housed in by bones, carries out sensory and motor functions, major division of the nervous system

Front 15

Central Nervous System CNS

Back 15

part of nervous system encased by bones including brain and spinal cord. information is sent here to be processed and acted on

Front 16

Somatic Nervous System

Back 16

part of PNS voluntary, we chose to smile or run, walk etc.

Front 17

Autonomic Nervous System

Back 17

part of PNS, involuntary breathing, heartbeat etc we cannot control it

Front 18

Sympathetic Nervous System

Back 18

mobilizes the body for action in the face of stress. heart beats faster

Front 19

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Back 19

regulates the body's energy conserving functions. heart slows down

Front 20

Fight-or-Flight

Back 20

response the the sympathetic system...stay and fight or run away

Front 21

Afferent Neurons

Back 21

in the spinal cord, sensory neurons means approach

Front 22

Efferent Neurons

Back 22

in the spinal cord, motor neurons going away, "exit"