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Psych Ch. 3.1
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| neurons | basic units of the nervous system; receive, integrate, and transmit information; specialized for communication |
| Central Nervous System (CNS) | brain and spinal cord |
| Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) | all nerves that are not part of the CNS |
| Types of neurons | Sensory (afferent), motor (efferent), and interneuron |
| resting membrane potential | when not active, neurons have a negative electrical charge |
| Excitatory Signals | reduce polarization --> increases likelihood of an action potential |
| Inhibitory Signals | increase polarization --> decreases likelihood of an action potential |
| propagation | the way axons move down an action potential - like a wave |
| All-or-none principal | A neuron will fire with the same potency every time or not at all (to initiate an action potential) |
| presynaptic neurons | release neurotransmitters to postsynaptic neurons |
| neurotransmitters | chemical substances that carry messages from one neuron to the next |
| reuptake | when neurotransmitters are recycled back into the presynaptic neuron |
| enzyme deactivation | unused neurotransmitters in the synapse are destroyed |
| agonist | drug/substance that mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter |
| antagonist | drug/substance that blocks the actions of a neurotransmitter |
| acetylcholine (AcH) | motor control over muscles; sleeping, dreaming, learning & memory |
| epinephrine | energy |
| norepinephrine | vigilance, arousal |
| serotonin | emotional states & impulsiveness; dreaming |
| dopamine | reward & motivation; motor control over voluntary movement |
| GABA | inhibition of action potentials, anxiety reduction, intoxication (via alcohol) |
| glutamate | enhancement of action potentials; learning & memory |
| endorphins | pain reduction & reward |
| substance P | pain perception; mood & anxiety |