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Chapter 2
biology and behavior
23
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
09/18/2009

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Term
neuron
Definition
a specialized cell that conducts impulses through the nervous system and contains three major parts-a cell body,dendrites,and an axon.
Term
cell body
Definition
the part of a neuron that contains the nuclues and carries out metabloic functions of the neuron.
Term
dendrites
Definition
in a neuron, the branchlike extensions of the cell body that recieve signals from other neurons
Term
axon
Definition
the slender, tail like extensions of the cell body that recieve signals from other neurons
Term
gilial cells
Definition
A supportive cell in the central nervous system -- the brain and spinal cord.
Term
synapse
Definition
a region where nerve impulses are transmitted and received, encompassing the axon terminal of a neuron that releases neurotransmitters in response to an impulse, an extremely small gap across which the neurotransmitters travel, and the adjacent membrane of an axon, dendrite, or muscle or gland cell with the appropriate receptor molecules for picking up the neurotransmitters.
Term
resting potential
Definition
the membrane potential of a cell that is not exhibiting the activity resulting from a stimulus
Term
action potential
Definition
the change in electrical potential that occurs between the inside and outside of a nerve or muscle fiber when it is stimulated, serving to transmit nerve signals.
Term
myelin sheath
Definition
a wrapping of myelin around certain nerve axons, serving as an electrical insulator that speeds nerve impulses to muscles and other effectors
Term
neurotransmitter
Definition
any of several chemical substances, as epinephrine or acetylcholine, that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse to a postsynaptic element, as another nerve, muscle, or gland.
Term
receptors
Definition
any of various specific protein molecules in surface membranes of cells and organelles to which complementary molecules, as hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, or antibodies, may become bound.
Term
reuptake
Definition
the process by which the presynaptic terminal of a neuron reabsorbs and recycles the molecules of neurotransmitter it has previously secreted in conveying an impulse to another neuron.
Term
endorphins
Definition
any of a group of peptides occurring in the brain and other tissues of vertebrates, and resembling opiates, that react with the brain's opiate receptors to raise the pain threshold.
Term
central nevous system
Definition
the part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord.
Term
peripheral nervous system
Definition
the portion of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cord.
Term
hindbrain
Definition
he most posterior of the three primary divisions of the brain in the embryo of a vertebrate or the part of the adult brain derived from this tissue, including the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata; rhombencephalon.
Term
brainstem
Definition
the portion of the brain that is continuous with the spinal cord and comprises the medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, and parts of the hypothalamus, functioning in the control of reflexes and such essential internal mechanisms as respiration and heartbeat.
Term
medulla
Definition
controls heart beat,blood perrsure,breathing,coughing, and swallowing
Term
reticular formation
Definition
a network of neurons in the brainstem involved in consciousness, regulation of breathing, the transmission of sensory stimuli to higher brain centers, and the constantly shifting muscular activity that supports the body against gravity
Term
cerebellum
Definition
a network of neurons in the brainstem involved in consciousness, regulation of breathing, the transmission of sensory stimuli to higher brain centers, and the constantly shifting muscular activity that supports the body against gravity.
Term
substania nigra
Definition
a network of neurons in the brainstem involved in consciousness, regulation of breathing, the transmission of sensory stimuli to higher brain centers, and the constantly shifting muscular activity that supports the body against gravity.
Term
midbrain
Definition
the middle of the three primary divisions of the brain in the embryo of a vertebrate or the part of the adult brain derived from this tissue; mesencephalon.
Term
forebrain
Definition
Also called prosencephalon. the anterior of the three primary divisions of the brain in the embryo of a vertebrate, or the part of the adult brain derived from this tissue including the diencephalon and telencephalon.
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