Psychology Ch.2.1 Vocab

Front 1

Specialized branch of psychology that studies the relationship between behavior and bodily processes and systems.

Back 1

biological psychology

Front 2

The study of the nervous system, especially the brain.

Back 2

neuroscience

Front 3

Highly specialized cell that communicates information in electrical and chemical form; a nerve cell.

Back 3

neuron

Front 4

Support cells that assist neurons by provideing structural support, nutrition, and removal of cell wastes; manufacture myelin.

Back 4

glial cells

Front 5

Type of neuron that conveys information to the brain from specialized receptor cells in sense organs and internal organs.

Back 5

sensory neuron

Front 6

Type of neuron that signals muscles to relax or contract.

Back 6

motor neuron

Front 7

Type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to the next.

Back 7

interneuron

Front 8

Processes nutrients and provides energy for the neuron to function, contains the cell's nucleus

Back 8

cell body

or

_soma_

Front 9

Multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron's cell body and recieve information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells.

Back 9

dendrites

Front 10

The long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron's messages to other body areas.

Back 10

axon

Front 11

A white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed.

Back 11

myelin sheath

Front 12

A brief electrical impulse by which information in transmitted along the axon of a neuron.

Back 12

action potential

Front 13

The minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron.

Back 13

stimulus threshold

Front 14

State in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it recieves sufficient stimulation.

Back 14

resting potential

Front 15

Toilet analogy.

Back 15

all-or-none law

Front 16

The point of communication between two neurons.

Back 16

synapse

Front 17

The tiny space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron.

Back 17

synaptic gap

Front 18

Branches at the end of the axon that contain tiny pouches, or sacs, called synaptic vesicles.

Back 18

axon terminals

Front 19

Tiny pouches or sacs in the axon terminals that contain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Back 19

synaptic vesicles

Front 20

Chemical messengers manufactured by a neuron.

Back 20

neurotransmitters

Front 21

The process through which neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, cross the synaptic gap, and affect adjoining neurons.

Back 21

synaptic transmission

Front 22

The process by which neurotransmitters detach from a postsynaptic neuron and are reabsorbed by a presynaptic neuron so they can be recycled and used again.

Back 22

reuptake

Front 23

Neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction and is involved in memory function.

Back 23

acetylcholine
(un-seet-ull-KO-leen)

Front 24

Neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of bodily movement, though processes, and rewarding sensations.

Back 24

dopamine

Front 25

Neurotransmitter involved in sleep and emotions.

Back 25

serotonin

Front 26

Neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory; also a hormone manufactured by adrenal glands.

Back 26

norepinephrine
(nor-ep-in-EF-rin)

Front 27

Neurotransmitter that usually communicates an inhibitory message.

Back 27

GABA
(gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Front 28

Neurotransmitters that regulate pain perceptions.

Back 28

endorphins