Biological Psychology Vocab Terms

The part of the nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord and which coordinates the activity of the entire nervous system

• Central

• Peripheral

• Somatic

• Autonomic

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system with sensory receptors, muscles and the skin.

• Central

• Peripheral

• Somatic

• Autonomic

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates body functions such as respiration and digestion.

• Central

• Peripheral

• Somatic

• Autonomic

The part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerve, the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system.

• Central

• Peripheral

• Somatic

• Autonomic

The tubelike part of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body toward other neurons.

• Neuron

• Soma

• Dendrites

• Axon

Rootlike structures at the end of axons that receive neural impulses from neighboring neurons.

• Neuron

• Soma

• Dendrites

• Axon

The cell body of a neuron that contains the nucleus of the cell and carries out the cell's metabolic functions.

• Neuron

• Soma

• Dendrites

• Axon

A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.

• Neuron

• Soma

• Dendrites

• Axon

The small fluid-filled gap between neurons through which neurotransmitters carry neural impulses.

• Myelin

• Axon Terminals

• Synapse

• Spinal Cord

Swellings at the tips of axons from which neurotransmitters are dispatched into the synapse.

• Myelin

• Axon Terminals

• Synapse

• Spinal Cord