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Pscyh Kraly 1
Brain things.
14
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
03/01/2009

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Cards

Term
neurons
Definition
the basic building blocks of the nervous system
Term
soma
Definition
the cell body; contains the biochemical structures needed to keep the neuron alive. The nucleus in the cell body carries the genetic information that determines how the cell develop and functions.
Term
dendrites
Definition
specialized receiving units like antennae that collect messages from neighboring neurons and send them to the cell body; emerging from the cell body
Term
axon
Definition

conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands; branches out at its end to form axon terminals

Term
axon terminals
Definition
axon branches out at its end to form a number of axon terminals, which may connect with dendrites from numerous neurons, making it possible for a single neuron to pass mesages to other neurons (50,000 other neurons!)
Term

blood-brain barrier

 

Definition
Drugs work their way into bloodstream and carried through brain by network of capillaries that contain a blood-brain barrier-a special lining of tightly packed cells that lets vital nutrients pass through so neurons can function
Term
agonist
Definition

drug that increases the activity of a neurotransmitter

   -enhance neurons' ability to synthesize, store, release neurotransmitters

-bind w/ and stimulate postsynaptic receptor sites (or make it easier for neurotransmitters to stimulate sites)

-make it harder for neurotransmitters to be deactivated, such as by inhibiting reuptake 

Term
opiates
Definition
molecular structure like endorphins, bind to/activate receptor sites that recieve endorphins
Term
amphetamines
Definition
cause neuron to releas more
Term
neurotransmitter
Definition
A chemical released by a neuron so that this chemical can have an effect on adjacent neuron(s); single neuron can release numerous different types of neurotransmitter chemicals; different amts of each neurotransmitter substance might be released at different pts in time. In order for a neurotransmitter chem to exert its function, must interact with chemical receptors.
Term
endogenous neurochemicals
Definition
natural to the body
Term
How does the brain and nervous system organize psychological processes and behavior?
Definition
detection, organization/integration, activation
Term
How do neurons send messages?
Definition

-synthesis of endogenous neurotransmitter

-storage of e.n

-release of e.n.

-interaction between neurotransmitter & receptors in synapse- key event for action potential

-reuptake of released neurotransmitter

-metabolism of released neurotransmitter 

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