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Ap Pshycology Brain
Quiz
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Neurons | Nerve cells |
Soma | The cell body of a neuron |
Dendrites | Treelike structures projecting from the soma that receive neural messages from neighbring neurons |
Axon | The tubelike part of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body toward other neurons |
Myelin Sheath | A layer of protective insulation that covers the axons of certain neurons and helps speed transmission of nerve impulses |
Terminal buttons | small knobs that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters |
Synapse | a junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to another |
Glia | cells found throughout the nervous system that provide various types of support for neurons |
Neurotransmitters | chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another |
Synaptic cleft | a microscopic gap between the terminal button of one neuron and the cell membrane of another neuron |
Synaptic vesicles | small sacs within the terminal buttons that store neurotransmitters |
Postsynaptic potential (PSP) | a voltage change at a receptor site on a postsynaptic cell membrane |
Excitatory PSP | a positive voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials |
Inhibitory PSP | a negative voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials |
Reuptake | a process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane |
Agonist | a chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter |
Antagonist | a chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter |
Endorphins | internally produced chemicals that resemble opiates in structure and effects |