Psychology Chapter 2

study development, pharmacology, and pathology of nervous system

microscopically small cell that transmits information in form of nerve impulses from one part of body to another

largest concentration of mass in neuron, containing nucleus of cell

protuberances that reach out to receive massages, or neural impulses, from other nearby neutrons

long protuberance extending from the neurons cell body that carries neural impulses to other neurons, muscles, or glands

white substance composed of fat and protein that covers, insulates, and protects about half of axons in an adult’s nervous system

A loss of myelin is cause of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS- a neurological disorder affecting nearly 1/1000 young adults- 50% higher rate than 25 yrs ago

branching series of bare end points where an axon ends and communicate with adjacent neurons

term used to describe production of functioning neurons after birth

location at which a neural impulse is relayed from one neuron to another

microscopically small gap between axon terminal and dendrites (or cell body) of another neuron

incredibly small containers that hold complex chemicals cell neurotransmitters

chemical molecules released at synapse that, in general, will either excite or inhibit a reaction …

name of process in which neurotransmitter chemicals are released from vesicles, cross synaptic cleft, and stimulate the next neuron to fire

the name of the process in which neurotransmitters flood across the synaptic cleft, bind to receptor sites, and prevent the next neuron from firing

found throughout nervous system, where it acts as either an excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter, both within brain and between neurons and muscle cells

involved in activation, vigilance, and mood regulation

associated with thought and mood disturbances of some psychological disorders and impairment of movement