1.
absolute refractory period: axon repolarizes - reestablishes its negative inside/ positive outside condition until able to fire RESETS
2.
ACh: neurotransmitter involved in memory and movement - too little is associated with Alzheimer's
3.
action potential: a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. The action potential is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon's membrane.
4.
Adrenal glands: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: secrete the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), which help to arouse the body in times of stress/ fightv.flight
5.
all-or-none law: either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs OR a neuron is not stimulated
6.
Autonomic Nervous System: the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands
7.
axon: long tube that announces/carries a neuron's message to other neurons
8.
axon terminals: sends chemicals to next neuron
9.
blood-brain barrier: membrane stops some chemicals from passing between brain and bloodstream
ex. Dopamine doe not go thru - resort to agonist
10.
CAT scan: computer enhanced xray of brain STRUCTURE
11.
Cell body (soma): contains nuclues which provides energy to neuron
12.
Central Nervous System: brain and spinal cord
13.
cerebrospinal fluid: nourishes and protects brain
14.
Dendrites: the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body
15.
depolarization: sodium rushes into neuron through membrane, potassium ruses out; results in a change in charge POSITIVE
16.
dopamine: neurotransmitter that influences voluntary movement, attention, alertness; lack of dopamine linked with Parkinson's disease; too much is linked with Schizophrenia
17.
endorphins: "morphine within"- natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure/ positive mood/ exercise
18.
excitatory signals: signal like pushing accelerator
19.
fMRI scan: reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing MRI scans to show FUNCTION (more detailed than PET)
20.
GABA: A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Not enough=seizures, tremors, and insomnia.
21.
glutamate: a major excitatory neurotransmitters: involved in memory. Oversupply can overstimulate brain,producing migraines or seizures. *why some people avoide MSG
22.
gonads: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: reproductive glands-male, testes; female, ovaries
23.
horomones: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: chemical messengers that influence physcial and behavioral processes
24.
inhibitory signals: pushing brake/ decreases activity
25.
MRI scan: magnetic fields and radio waves to map brain STRUCTURE (better resolution than CT)
26.
neurotransmitters: special chemical messengers from neurons that communicate info to other neurons and muscles in the synaptic gap
27.
norepinephrine: neurotransmitter that is involved in arousal and the fight-or-flight system (also mood, sleep, and learning)
28.
pancreas: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: produces insulin and glucagon, regulates level of blood sugar in blood
29.
parasympathetic division: a branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal body functions; it calms the body ever conserves energy
30.
Peripheral Nervous System: the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
31.
PET scan: examines brain FUNCTION, mapping activity
32.
pituitary gland: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: the endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
33.
prefrontal cortex: part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language
34.
repolarization: reestablishes negative inside (cl and k)/ positive outside (na)
35.
resting potential: neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it recieves sufficient stimulation
36.
resting potential: state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it recieves sufficient stimulation
37.
reuptake: process by which neurotransmitter molecules detach from a postsynaptic neurono and are reabsorbed by a presynaptic neuron - RECYCLED AND REUSED
38.
serotonin: neurotransmitter that affects sleep, arousal, mood, appetite; lack of it is linked with depression
39.
Somatic Nervous system: the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles VOLUNTARY MVMNT
40.
sympathetic division: a branch of the autonomic nervous system and prepares the body for quick action in emergencies; fight or flight; arousal
41.
synaptic cleft: tiny space between the axon terminal of one neruon and the dendrite of an adjoining neuron
42.
threshold: level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse
43.
thyroid: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: regulates the body's metabolism and calcium balance
