Psychology AP

- is the study of the links between biology and behavior.

Nerve cell, basic building block of the nervous system

Of a neuron are the bushy, branching extension that sends impulses toward the cell body.

- is a layer of fatty tissue that covers many axons and helps speed neural impulses.

- a neural impulse generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon’s membrane

Is the level of stimulation that must be exceeded in order for the neuron to fire, or generate an electrical impulse

Is the junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. The tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic cleft or gap.

Are chemicals that are released into synaptic gaps and so transmit neural messages from neuron to neuron

- is a neural transmitter that triggers muscle contractions

Are natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure.

Is the speedy, electrochemical communication system, consisting of all the nerve cells in the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Consists of the brain and spinal cord; it is located at the center or internal core, of the body.

Connects the central nervous system to the body’s sense receptors, muscles, and glands; it is at the periphery of the body relative to the brain and spinal cord.

Are bundles of neural axons that connect the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

Carry information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system for processing.