Psychology 101A

Question	Answer
Neurons	Nerve cells specialized for communication (brain consists of approx 100 billion)
Cell Body (soma)	Where materials needed by neurons are created.
Dendrite	Projection that picks up impulses from other neurons. (end branches)
Axon Terminal (Synaptic Knob)	End of axon that attaches to cell body. Contains synaptic vesicles.
Neurotransmitters	Chemical messengers that neurons use to communicate with each other.
Synaptic Vesicles	Tiny spheres containing neurotransmitters. Manufactured in cell body, travel down axons. (gel liquid capsule releasing neurotransmitters)
Synapse	Terminal point of axon branch. Where neurotransmitters release. (liquid filled gap between arms and knob)
Synaptic Cleft	A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal.
Sir Charles Sherrington	First to hypothesize existence of synapses. He measured muscle nerve stimulation, and inferred microscopic spaces between neurons. Argued that neurons are separate cells.
Glial Cells	Plays a role in formation of myelin sheath and the blood-brain barrier. Responds to injury, removes debris, and involved in thought, memory, and immune system.
Astrocytes	Star shaped glial cells. Interact with 300,000 - 1M neurons. Increase reliability of neurotransmission, control brain blood flow, vital role in development of embryo.
Blood-brain Barrier	Fatty coating that wraps around tiny blood vesicles. Prevents large, highly charged, and soluble molecules from entering the brain. Protects against infection.
Oligodendrocyte	Glial cell that promotes new connections among nerve cells. Releases chemicals to aid in healing. Produces myelin sheath.
Myelin Sheath	Glial cells wrapped around axons acting as a insulator to the neuron signals. Contains gaps along the axon called 'nodes' which help conduct electricity. No MS= multiple sclerosis
How do neurons respond to neurotransmitters?	Generate electrical activity. Proved using electrodes that allow measurement of potential energy differences inside vs outside neuron. Uneven distribution of particles is necessary.
Resting Potential	No neurotransmitters acting on the neuron. More negative particles inside than outside neuron. -60millivolts.
Threshold	When number of positive and negative particles equalize, causes action potential to occur.
Action Potential	Abrupt waves of electrical discharge due to change in charge inside axon. Neurons fire (100-1000/sec) from the trigger zone and travel along axon to terminal triggering release of neurotransmitters.
What happens during action potential?	Positively charged particles flow rapidly in then out of axon, causing spike in positive energy then sudden decrease in charge. Ends with slightly more negativity than resting potential. Produces electricity and releases neurotrans. into synapse.
Absolute Refractory Period	Follows action potential. Brief period where action potential can not occur. Limits maximal firing rate. Time needed to reload neurons.
Graded Potentials	Excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (depending on charge of particles and their direction). Same potentials add together, different cancel out.
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (ESPS)	When positive ions enters its receptor. This depolarizes the neuron. Causes threshold
Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)	When negative ions enter receptor. This hyperpolarizes the neuron.
Receptor Sites	Receptors that bind with specific neurotransmitter from synapse along dendrite of neighbouring neuron. (lock-and-key)
Glutamate	Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system; increases likelihood of communication among neurons. Learning & memory. Elevated = schizophrenia
Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA)	Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Decreased = insomnia, depression, epilepsy
Acetylcholine	Arousal, selective attention, sleep, and memory. Alzheimer's = lack of ACh.
Norepinephrine	Monoamine. Brain arousal and other functions like mood, hunger, and sleep. Amphetamines and methamphetamines increase NE.
Dopamine	Monoamine. Decision making, behavioural flexibility, and rewards. Decreased = Parkinson's Increased = Schizophrenia
Serotonin	Monoamine. Mood and temperature regulation, and sleep cycles. SSRI anti-depressants
Neuropeptide	Short string of amino acids in the nervous system. Similar to neurotransmitters, but role is more specialized.
Endorphins	Neuropeptide specialized for pain reduction. Naturally occurring opioids. Manufactured opioids bind to endorphin receptors to mimic effects.
Anandamide	Eating, motivation, memory, pain reduction, and sleep. Similar to THC
Agonists	Increase receptor site activity. Reduce emotional responses by binding to opioid receptors & mimicking endorphins.
Antagonists	Decrease receptor site activity. Block dopamine and receptors by binding to them. Anti-psychotic drugs
Plasticity	Nervous system's ability to change
Central Nervous System (CNS)	Consists of the brain and spinal cord,

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	Created by Casey Crombie O' over 8 years ago