Psychology CH3

A postsynoptic potential that hyperpolarizes the neuronal membrane, making a cell less likely to fire an action potential

A postsynaptic potential that depolarizes the neuronal membrane, making that cell more likely to fire an action potential

The change in the membrane potential of a neuron that has received stimulation from another neuron

Site on the surface of a cell that allows only one type of neurotransmitter to fit into it, triggering a chemical response that may lead to action potential

chemical that assists in the transfer of signals from one neutron to another

short rest period between action potentials

fatty substance that wraps around some axons and increases the speed of action potential

abrupt wave of electrochemical changes traveling down an axon when a neuron becomes depolarized

gap across which neurons communicate

neuron fiber that receives signals from the axons of other neurons and carriers those signals to the cell body

neuron fiber that carries signals from the body of a neuron out to where it communicates with other neurons

cell in the nervous system that holds neurons together and helps them communicate

fundamental unit of the nervous system; nerve cell

An extension of the spinal cord contained in side the skull where nuclei control blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and other vital functions

parts of the cerebral cortex that receive stimulus information from the senses

area of the hindbrain that controls blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and other vital functions

outer surface of the brain

left and right halves of the rounded outermost part of the brain

structure in forebrain that regulates hunger, thirst and sex drives

the subsystem of the peripheral nervous system that carries messages between the central nervous system and the heart, lungs and other organs and glands

the subsystem of the peripheral nervous system that transmits information from the senses to the central nervous system and carries signals to the muscles

forebrain structure that relays signals from most sense organs to higher levels in the brain and plays an important role in processing and making sense out of this information

most highly developed part of the brain; it is responsible for the most complex aspects of behavior and mental life

parts of the nervous system encased in bone including the brain and the spinal cord

parts of nervous system not housed in bone

the parts of the nervous system that influence muscles and other organs to respond to the environment in some way

the parts of the nervous system that provides information about the environment

parts of the cerebral cortex that receive information from more than one sense or that combines senses and motor information to perform complex cognitive tasks

network of cells and fibers threaded throughout the hindbrain that alters the activity of the rest of the brain

an area of the midbrain involved in the smooth initiation of movement

neurons that operate together to perform complex functions

nuclei in the hypothalamus that generate biological rhythms

a small structure between the hindbrain and forebrain that relays information from the eyes, ears and skin that controls certain types of automatic behaviors

structure within the forebrain that is involved in the smooth initiation of movement

collection of nerve cell bodies in the central nervous system

axons in the central nervous system that travel together in bundels

part of the central nervous system within the spinal column that relays signals from the brain to peripheral nervous system and conveys messages to the rest of the body

• a small nucleus in the reticular formation involved in attention, sleep and mood
• vigillance

part of the hindbrain whose function is to control finely coordinated movements and to store learned association that involve movement

set of brain structures that play important roles in regulating emotion and memory

structure in the forebrain associated with the formation of new memories

structure in forebrain that associates stimuli

part of the cerebral cortex whose neurons control voluntary movements in specific parts of the brain

involuntary unlearned reaction in the form of swift, automatic, and finely coordinated movements in response to stimuli

a massive bundle of fibers that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres and allows them to communicate with each other

referring to the tendency for one cerebral hemisphere to excel at a particular function or skill compared with the other hemisphere

the ability to create new synapses and to change the strength of synapses

a group of neurons that communicate by using the same neurotransmitter

a neurotransmitter used by neurons in the peripheral and central nervous systems in the control of functions ranging from muscle contraction and heart rate to digestion and memory

a neurotransmitter involved in arousal, as well as in learning and mood regulation

a neurotransmitter used by cells in parts of the brain involved in the regulation of sleep, mood, and eating

a neurotransmitter used in the parts of the brain involved in regulating movement and experiencing pleasure

a neurotransmitter that inhibits the firing of neurons

an excitatory neurotransmitter that helps strengthen synaptic connections between neurons

one of a class of neurotransmitters that bind to opiate receptors and moderate pain

cells that form organs called glands and that communicate with one another by secreting chemicals called hormones

an organ that secretes hormones into the blood stream

chemical secreted by a gland into the bloodstream, which carries it throughout the body

physical reactions initiated by the sympathetic nervous system that prepare the body to fight or to run from a threatening situation

the body's system of defense against invading substances and microorganisms

physical problems caused when cells of the body's immune system attack normal body cells as if they were foreign invaders

stimulate eating

stimulate satiety