Psychology - Chapter 2
Terms
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- dendrites
- branchlike structures that recieve messages from other neurons
- action potential
- the release of the neural impulse consisting of a reversal of the electrical charge within the axon
- antagonists
- chemical substances that block or reduce a cell's response to the action of other chemicals or neurotransmitters
- resting potential
- the state of the neuron when not firing a neural impulse
- axon
- tube-like structure that carries the neural message to other cells
- neuron
- the basic cell that makes up the nervous system and that recieves and sends messages from other neurons
- inhibitory neurotransmitter
- neurotransmitter that causes the recieving cell to stop firing
- axon terminals
- branches at the end of the axon
- synaptic vesicles
- saclike structures found inside the synaptic knob containing chemicals
- neuroscience
- a branch of the life sciences that deals with structure and function of neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue, especially focusing on their relationship to behavior and learning
- all-or-none
- referring to the fact that a neuron either fires completely or does not fire at all
- neurotransmitter
- chemical found in the synaptic vesicles that, when released, has an effect on the next cell
- receptor sites
- holes in the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands, which are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters
- nervous system
- an extensive network of specialized cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body
- agonists
- chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell
- soma
- the cell body of the neuron responsible for maintaining the life of the cell
- myelin
- fatty substances produced by certain glial cells that coat the axons of neurons to insulate, protect, and speed up the neural impulse
- synapse (synaptic gap)
- microscopic fluid-filled space between the synaptic knob of one cell and dendrites or surface of the next cell
- nerves
- bundles of axons coated in myelin that travel together through the body
- excitatory neurotransmitter
- neurotransmitter that causes the recieving cell to fire
- glial cells
- grey fatty cells that provide support for the neurons to grow on and around, deliver nutrients to neurons, produce myelin to coat axons, and clean up waste products and dead neurons
- synaptic knob
- rounded areas on the end of the axon terminals