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AP Psychology Neurons and Neurotransmittors Flashcards

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5883962860BiopsychologyA branch of study that deals with the effects of biological factors on behavior. This branch believes that everything we do is ultimately controlled by our body and our brain.0
5883962861NeuronsNerve cells1
5883962862Sensory (Afferent) NeuronsDetect stimuli from sense organs and relay this information to glands and muscles.2
5883962863Motor (Efferent) NeuronsReceive signals from the brain and/or spinal cord and relay this information to glands and muscles.3
5883962864InterneuronsNeurons in the brain and spinal cord that coordinate activity between sensory and motor neurons.4
5883962865Glial CellsProvide nutrients to neurons, insulate neurons, and remove debris when neurons die.5
5883962866Cell BodyThe cell's "control center," the part that looks like a really weird fried egg.6
5883962867DendritesThe spindly bits coming out of the cell body that receive messages from other cells.7
5883962868AxonPasses messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.8
5883962869Myelin SheathCovers the axons of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses.9
5883962870Nodes of RanvierThe uncovered portion of the axons where the neural impulses jump to.10
5883962871Schwann CellsThe protective, fatty layer over the axon. Each individual cell is a Schwann Cell, and all together they form the myelin sheath.11
5883962872Terminal Branch (Button)Form junctions with the other cells in the system, and release neurotransmitters.12
5883962873Resting PotentialWhen the neuron is not transmitting information, the electrical charge is at -70mv, and there are more negative ions inside the neuron than out. The selectively permeable membrane is closed.13
5883962874Action PotentialRapid, powerful change in the state of the neuron, where the neuron reaches the threshold of excitation (-50mv) and excitatory signals outnumber inhibitory ones. Na+ comes in, K+ comes out.14
5883962875All-or-NoneThe neuron either fires, or it doesn't. The intensity of the signal just depends on how often it fires, and in how many neurons fire.15
5883962876Absolute Refractory PeriodPeriod immediately after an action potential, when another action potential cannot occur.16
5883962877Relative Refractory PeriodPeriod after an absolute refractory period, when a neuron will only respond to a stronger than normal impulse.17
5883962878NeurotransmittersSignals released from vesicles that send messages to other neurons, may be inhibitory, excitatory, or both. They regulate many aspects of behavior, and an imbalance may cause maladaptive behavior.18
5883962879Acetylcholine (ACh)The most common neurotransmitter. Enables muscle function, learning, and memory. Alzheimer's causes the ACh-producing neurons to deteriorate.19
5883962880DopamineInfluences learning, movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Too much dopamine is related to Schizophrenia, whereas not enough dopamine is related to the brain tremors and decreased mobility associated with Parkinson's.20
5883962881SerotoninAffects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal. An undersupply can lead to depression. Prozac and other drugs are meant to treat this by raising serotonin levels.21
5883962882NorepinephrineHelps control alertness and arousal, associated with the "fight or flight" response. An undersupply can depress mood.22
5883962885AgonistsMimic, prevent, or quicken release from pre-synaptic neuron23
5883962886AntagonistsBlock neurotransmission24
5883962890CaffineIncreases the release of excitatory transmittors by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine.25
5883962891CocainePrevents re-uptake of dopamine, leads to heightened arousal of the entire nervous system.26

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