The period of time after a neuron fires and cannot fire again
What is the refractory period?
The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
What is the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
Deficits of this neurotransmitter is linked to Alzheimer's disease
What is acetylcholine (ACh)?
The part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movement and balance
What is the Cerebellum?
These studies examine similarities and differences between identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins.
What are twin studies?
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish and protect the neurons.
What are glial cells?
Consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the nervous system
What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
This hormone is responsible for feeling connected with other people . . . sometimes called the "love hormone"
What is Oxytocin?
The somatosensory cortex is located in this lobe of the brain
What is the Parietal Lobe?
The brain's ability to change both the structure and function in response to experience or trauma
What is Neuroplasticity?
This type of neuron carries information from the brain and spinal cord out to muscles and glands throughout the body.
What is a motor neuron?
The part of the nervous system that operates voluntarily
What is the Somatic Nervous System?
This hormone is secreted by the pineal gland and helps regulate sleep and body rhythm
What is Melatonin?
Limbic system structure responsible for fear and other basic emotional responses
What is the Amygdala?
In split-brain surgery, this part of the brain is severed
What is the Corpus Callosum?
This chronic disease is characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the neuron's protective myelin sheath, causing inflammation and damage.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (or 'MS')?
Activation of this part of our nervous system would result in increased heart rate, rapid breathing and slowed digestion
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System?
These neurotransmitters excite connecting neurons and make them more likely to fire
What are Excitatory Neurotransmitters?
The part of the brain that acts as our sensory switchboard, routing all sensory messages except smell
What is the Thalamus?
Psychological perspective that explores behavior and the mind using the principles of natural selection.
What is Evolutionary Theory?
After neural transmission occurs, excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron.
What is reuptake?
Activation of this part of our nervous system would result in slowed heart rate, slowed breathing and increased digestion
What is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
These neurotransmitters are released in the brain during exercise/excitement/pain and produce a feeling of well-being
What are Endorphins?
Wernicke's area is located in this lobe
What is the left Temporal Lobe?
Non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain.
What is an EEG?