Psychology

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Neurons

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individual nerve cells responsible for transmitting info through body

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Dendrites

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"branches" that extend from cell body; receive neural impulses and convey messages toward the SOMA

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Soma

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cell body-absorbs nutrients,produces protein, and integrates info

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Axon

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coated tubelike structure that carries impulses away from soma to other neurons

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Action potential

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an electrochemical impulse that travels down an axon to the axon terminal

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Axon terminal buttons

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small structures at the ends of axons that release neurotransmitter chemicals

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Nerve

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a bundle of axons from many neurons

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Ions

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molecules that carry positive or negative electrical charges

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Resting Potential

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the resting state of the axon membrane which consists of a high concentration of sodium molecules outside the axon and a high concentration of potassium inside

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Sodium Potassium "pump"

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an ongoing process whereby sodium ions are constantly migrating out and potassium ions are moved in

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Myelin sheath

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fatty substance that serves as an insulator;helps to facilitate the speed of the action potential as it moves down the axon(usually complete at about 12 years old)

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Neurotransmitters

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special chemicals released from axon terminal buttons; they cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptor sites on the membrane of another neuron

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"Lock&Key"

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the concept that each neurotransmitter has a particular geometric design and can only attach to specific receptor sites

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All-or-none Principle

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an axon either fires action potential or does not- no in between- and one "firing" can never be more or less than another- they all fire at same intensity

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Growth (from pituitary)

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too little-dwarfism
too much- giantism

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Endocrine system

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contains the "glands" which secrete chemicals that contain info that effects behavioral change or helps maintain body function

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Synapse

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the junction between 2 neurons where the neurotransmitter passes from the axon of one neuron to the dendrite of another neuron

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Homeostasis

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the body is steady state of formal functioning

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Vesicles

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small "capsule" like protectors of neurotransmitters found in terminal buttons they release the neurotransmitters where they "diffuse" and stimulate

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Hypothalamus

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a group of neuron cell bodies that ultimately controls the endocrine system and regulates such drives as hunger,thirst,sex, and aggression

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Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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the part of the nervous system outside the entral nervous system that consists of nerves going to and from the brain and spinal cord

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Somatic nervous system (SNS)

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a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that consists of nerves carrying afferent sensory info and efferent motor info to and from the central nervous system organs, and the skeletal muscles

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afferent

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incoming sensory info

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efferent

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outgoing motor info

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Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

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a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that maintains normal functioning of glands, heart muscles, and the smooth muscles of the blood vessels and internal organs

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Parasympathetic nervous system

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the part of the autonomic nervous system that is normally dominant when a person is in a relaxed,nonstressful physical and mental state

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Sympathetic nervous system

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the part of the autonomic nervous system that dominates when a person is under mental or physical stress

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central nervous system (CNS)

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the part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord

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Brain

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an extremely complex mass of nerve tissue organized into structures that control all voluntary and much involuntary behavior

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Spinal Cord

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The part of the nervous system found within the spinal column that is involved in reflexes and relaying neural info to and from the brain

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Reflexes

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movements that are initiated by an external stimulus and do not require input from the brain

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Reflex arc

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the path that the neural impulse travels to initiate a reflex

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Cerebral Cortex

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the bumpy, convoluted area on the outside surface of the brain that contains primary sensory centers,motor control centers, and areas responsible for higher mental processes

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Frontal Lobes

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the cortical lobes located at the front of the brain whose functions include motor and speech control the ability to plan ahead, initiative, and self awareness

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Motor control area

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the area located at the back of the frontal lobes of the cortex that is responsible for instigating voluntary movement

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Broca's area

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a brain area found in the left frontal love that controls the muscles used to produce speech

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Association areas

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the areas in the cerebral cortex that are involved in such mental operations as thinking, memory, learning , and problem solving

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Parietal Lobes

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The cortical lobes located at the top of the brain that are the seat of body sensations and memory of the environment

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Projection areas

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Parietal areas of the brain that receive incoming sensory info

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Occipital lobes

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the cortical lobes located at the back of the brain that are dedicated entirely to vision and visual perception

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Temporal Lobes

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the cortical lobes whose functions include auditory perception,language,memory,and some emotional control

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Wernicke's area

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an area of the cerebral cortex responsible for the thinking and interpretory aspect of language production

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Dyslexia

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an inablility or difficulty in reading

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Corpus Callosum

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a connecting bridge of nerve fibers between the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex

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Thalamus

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a subcortical area located below the corpus callosum that serves as the major relay area for incoming sensory info

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Limbic system

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an interconnected system of subcortical sructures involved with many types of emotional behavior,particularly aggression

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Cerebellum

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the brain area responsible for maintaining smooth movement and coordinating motor activity

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Brain Stem

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an area of the brain below the subcortex and in front of the cerebellum that includes the pons, the medulla, and the reticular formation

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Pons

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a brain stucture located at the top of the brain stem that is involved with function such as respiration,movement, and sleep

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medulla

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a structure in the brain stem responsible for automatic body functions, such as respiration

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Reticular activating system (RAS)

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a diffuse set of cells in the medulla, pons,hypothalamus,and thalamus that serves as a filter for incoming sensory info