AP®︎ Psychology: Topic 1.3 Flashcards

A specialized neural cell that receives, processes, and transmits information

A neural cell that provides neurons with structure, insulation, communication support, nourishment, and waste transport

A branching part of a neuron that receives incoming messages from other neurons

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus, maintains the cell, and integrates incoming messages

The part of a neuron that carries an electrical impulse away from the cell body

Fatty insulation around many axons that allows neural impulses to travel more efficiently

The ends of an axon that release chemical messengers to communicate with the next cell

The junction where a neuron communicates with another neuron, muscle cell, or gland

The microscopic space across which neurotransmitters travel between sending and receiving cells

A selective site on a receiving cell to which an appropriate neurotransmitter or drug can bind

A neuron that carries incoming information from sensory receptors toward the central nervous system

A neuron within the central nervous system that connects or processes information between other neurons

A neuron that carries outgoing commands from the central nervous system to muscles or glands

A rapid, automatic pathway in which a sensory neuron signals an interneuron in the spinal cord, which signals a motor neuron to produce a response

An electrical impulse produced after threshold is reached that travels along a neuron's axon

The polarized state of a neuron when it is not firing, with the inside negatively charged relative to the outside

Excitatory messages make an action potential more likely, whereas inhibitory messages make one less likely

The minimum combined level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential

The temporary reversal of charge across a neuron's membrane that initiates and propagates an action potential

Once threshold is reached, a neuron produces a complete action potential; below threshold, it produces none

The recovery period after firing during which a neuron cannot immediately produce another action potential

A chemical messenger released by a neuron that crosses a synapse and binds to receptors on a receiving cell

The reabsorption of neurotransmitter molecules from the synapse by the sending neuron

A disorder involving central nervous system myelin damage that disrupts the efficient movement of neural impulses

An autoimmune disorder that disrupts acetylcholine receptors at skeletal muscles, causing weakness and fatigue

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, attention, learning, and movement control

A neurotransmitter that contributes to the regulation of mood, sleep, and appetite

A neurotransmitter associated with alertness, arousal, and readiness to respond

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, important in learning and memory

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, reducing neural firing and excessive activity

A neurotransmitter involved in skeletal muscle contraction, learning, and memory

Internally produced opioid-like chemicals that reduce pain signaling and can contribute to pleasure or euphoria

A neurotransmitter involved in transmitting pain information

A chemical messenger that travels through the bloodstream to target cells, generally acting more slowly and lasting longer than a neurotransmitter

A hormone that supports fight-or-flight by increasing physiological readiness during stress or danger

A hormone that signals stored energy and is associated with satiety and reduced hunger

A hormone that stimulates hunger and contributes to meal initiation

A hormone that helps regulate circadian timing and the sleep-wake cycle

A hormone involved in social bonding, attachment, trust, childbirth, and milk release

A chemical substance that alters brain activity and consequently affects behavior or mental processes

A substance that mimics a neurotransmitter or otherwise increases its effect at a receptor

A substance that blocks a neurotransmitter's action or reduces its ability to activate a receptor

A substance that blocks neurotransmitter reabsorption, leaving more of it in the synapse and prolonging its effect

A psychoactive drug that typically increases neural activity and physiological arousal, such as caffeine or cocaine

A psychoactive drug that typically decreases central nervous system activity, such as alcohol

A psychoactive drug that typically distorts perception, cognition, or the experience of reality, such as marijuana

A psychoactive drug that acts on opioid receptors to relieve pain and may cause euphoria and depressed breathing, such as heroin

A reduced response to the same drug dose after repeated use, often requiring a larger dose for the previous effect

Compulsive substance seeking or use that continues despite harmful consequences

Unpleasant physical or psychological symptoms that occur when drug use is reduced or stopped after adaptation