Study Guide for modules 3 & . Exploring Psychology edition 8 in modules. David G. Myers.
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| 446066512 | Neural Communication | The body's information system is built from billions of interconnected cells called neurons | 0 | |
| 446066513 | Neuron | A nerve cell, or a neuron, consists of many different parts | 1 | |
| 446066514 | Cell Body | Life support center of the neuron. | 2 | |
| 446066515 | dendrites | branching extensions at the cell body. Receive messages from other neurons. | 3 | |
| 446066516 | Axon | Long single extension of a neuron, covered with myelin sheath to insulate and speed up messages through neurons. | 4 | |
| 446066517 | Terminal Branches of axon | Branched endings of an axon that transmit messages to other neurons | 5 | |
| 446066518 | Action Potential | A neural impulse. A brief electrical charge that travels down an axon and is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane. | 6 | |
| 446066519 | All-or-None Response | A strong stimulus can trigger more neurons to fire, and to fire more often, but it does not affect the action potentials strength or speed. | 7 | |
| 446066520 | Intensity | the intensity of an action potential remains the same throughout the length of an axon | 8 | |
| 446066521 | Synapse | a junction between the axon tip of the sending neurons and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. This tiny gap is called the synaptic gap or cleft. | 9 | |
| 446066522 | Neurotransmitters | released from the sending neuron travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing it to generate an action potential. | 10 | |
| 446066523 | Reuptake | Neurotransmitters in the synapse are reabsorbed into the sending neurons through the process of reuptake. This process applies the brakes on neurotransmitter action. | 11 | |
| 446066524 | Serotonin Pathways | Involved with mood regulation | 12 | |
| 446066525 | Dopamine Pathways | involved with diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. | 13 | |
| 446066526 | Lock & Key Mechanism | Neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the receiving neuron in a lock-key mechanism. | 14 | |
| 446066527 | Agonists | If 2 or more pieces fit the molecule excites. It is similar enough in structure to the neurotransmitter molecule that is mimics its effects on the receiving neuron. | 15 | |
| 446066528 | Antagonists | If only 1 piece fits the molecule inhibits. It has a structure similar enough to the neurotransmitter to occupy its receptor site and block it's action, but not similar enough to stimulate the receptor. | 16 | |
| 446066529 | Nervous System | Consist of all the nerve cells. It is the body's speedy, electrochemical communication system. | 17 | |
| 446066530 | Central Nervous System (CNS) | The brain and spinal cord. | 18 | |
| 446066531 | Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) | The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous systems (CNS) to the rest of the body | 19 | |
| 446066532 | Sensory Neurons | carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the CNS. Interneurons connect from here to Motor Neurons. | 20 | |
| 446066533 | Motor Neurons | Carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands. Interneurons connect from here to Sensory Neurons. | 21 | |
| 446066534 | Peripheral Nervous System | Somatic Nervous System: The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Autonomic Nervous System: Part of the PNS that controls the glands and other muscles. | 22 | |
| 446066535 | Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) | Sympathetic Nervous System: Division of the ANS that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations. Parasympathetic Nervous System: Division of the ANS that calms the body, conserving its energy. | 23 | |
| 446066536 | Sympathetic NS | "Arouses" (fight-or-flight) | 24 | |
| 446066537 | Parasympathetic NS | "Calms" (rest and digest) | 25 | |
| 446066538 | The Brain: Older Brain Structures | The Brainstem is the oldest part of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull. It si responsible for automatic survival functions. | 26 | |
| 446066539 | Brainstem - The Medulla | The base of the base of the brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing | 27 | |
| 446066540 | Brainstem - The Thalamus | The brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem. It directs messages to the sensory areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla. | 28 | |
| 446066541 | Brainstem - Reticular Formation | A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal. | 29 | |
| 446066542 | Cerebellum | The "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem. It helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance. | 30 | |
| 446066543 | The Limbic System | A doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebrum, associated with emotions such as fear, aggression and drives for food and sex. It includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus | 31 | |
| 446066544 | The cerebral Cortex | The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres. It is the body's ultimate control and information processing center. | 32 | |
| 446066545 | Structure of the Cortex | Each brain hemisphere is divided into four lobes that are separated by prominent fissures. Those lobes are the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal. | 33 | |
| 446066546 | Splitting the brain | A procedure in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them. | 34 |
