PSYCH 1100 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Positron Emission Tomography, Central Nervous System, Spinal Nerve

• School: Lakehead University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 1100
• Professor: Thomas Kondzielewski

Document Summary

Soma: the main body of a neuron or other cell. Axon: fiber that carriers information away from the cell body of a neuron. Axon terminals: bulb-shaped structures at the ends of axons that form synapses with the dendrites and somas of other neurons. Resting potential: the electrical charge of a neuron at rest. Threshold: the point at which a nerve impulse is triggered. Ion channels: tiny openings through the axon membrane. Negative after-potential: a drop in electrical charge below the resting potential. Saltatory conduction: the process by which nerve impulses conducted down the axons of neurons coated with myelin jump from gap to gap in the myelin layer. Synapse: the microscopic space between two neurons, over which messages pass. Neurotransmitter: any chemical released by a neuron that alters activity in other neurons. Receptor sites: areas on the surface of neyrons and other cells that are sensitive to neurotransmitters or hormones.