PSYC-101 Chapter 2: PsychChapter2
Document Summary
Central nervous system (cns): consists of the brain and the spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system (pns): consists of the network of nerves that carry information to the rest of the body from the cns. Somatic nervous system (sns): carries messages to and from sense organs and skeletal muscles. Autonomic nervous system (ans): carries messages to and from the internal organs and glands. It is composed of the sympathetic branch (activates the body) and the parasympathetic branch (quiets the body). Ions: electrically charged molecules that are located inside each neuron. Synapse: the microscopic space between two neurons over which messages pass. Receptor sites: special receiving areas that gather the neurotransmitters after they cross the synapse. Neurogenesis: the production of new brain cells to replace the brain cells lost every day. Computed tomographic (ct) scans: provide clear images to study the brain by compiling x-ray images from various angles of the brain.
