Sure! I can make a full PDF-ready document of your neuron and nervous system study set.
Each
neurotransmitter will have separate flashcards for surplus and deficit. I’ll also include all the structures,
hormones, brain research, and other key concepts you listed.
Here’s the formatted content for the PDF:
Neuron & Nervous System Study Guide
Neurons & Nervous System
Sensory Neuron – Carries information from sensory receptors (eyes, ears, skin) to the CNS
Motor Neuron – Sends commands from the CNS to muscles or glands
Interneuron – Connects sensory and motor neurons; found in CNS
Glial Cells – Support neurons; provide nutrients, insulation, and repair
Action Potential – Electrical signal traveling down a neuron
Threshold – Minimum level of stimulation needed to trigger an action potential
Excitatory Signal – Increases likelihood a neuron will fire
Inhibitory Signal – Decreases likelihood a neuron will fire
Synapse – Gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released
Neurotransmitter – Chemical messenger transmitting signals across a synapse
Major Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine (ACh) – Muscle movement, learning, memory - Surplus: Muscle spasms - Deficit: Alzheimer’s,
paralysis
Endorphins – Pain relief, pleasure, stress reduction - Surplus: Insensitivity to pain - Deficit: Pain, depression
Norepinephrine – Alertness, arousal, mood regulation - Surplus: Anxiety, hyperactivity - Deficit: Depression,
low energy
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Dopamine – Movement, reward, motivation, learning - Surplus: Schizophrenia, addiction - Deficit:
Parkinson’s, depression
Serotonin – Mood, appetite, sleep, emotion - Surplus: Serotonin syndrome - Deficit: Depression, sleep
problems
Melatonin – Sleep-wake cycles - Surplus: Excessive sleepiness - Deficit: Insomnia
GABA – Main inhibitory neurotransmitter; calms CNS - Surplus: Excess sedation - Deficit: Anxiety, seizures
Glutamate – Main excitatory neurotransmitter; learning, memory - Surplus: Overstimulation → seizures,
migraines - Deficit: Poor memory, cognitive issues
Substance P – Pain perception - Surplus: Chronic pain - Deficit: Reduced pain sensitivity
Brain & Nervous System Structures
Reflex Arc – Automatic response to stimulus (sensory → interneuron → motor)
Broca’s Area – Speech production; frontal lobe - Damage: Broca’s aphasia → difficulty speaking but
comprehension intact
Wernicke’s Area – Language comprehension; temporal lobe - Damage: Wernicke’s aphasia → fluent but
nonsensical speech
Plasticity – Brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt after damage
Contralateral Organization – Left hemisphere controls right side, right hemisphere controls left
Right Hemisphere – Creativity, spatial awareness, face recognition, music
Left Hemisphere – Language, logic, analytical thinking
Split Brain – Corpus callosum severed; hemispheres cannot communicate - Left hemisphere: Language,
logic - Right hemisphere: Creativity, spatial awareness
Endocrine System & Hormones
Pituitary Gland – “Master gland,” regulates growth, thyroid, adrenal glands
Pineal Gland – Produces melatonin; regulates sleep cycles
Adrenaline (Epinephrine) – Fight or flight; increases heart rate, energy
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Leptin – Suppresses hunger
Ghrelin – Stimulates hunger
Melatonin – Regulates sleep
Oxytocin – Bonding, trust, social interaction
Brain Research & Studies
Brain Lesion – Damage to brain tissue to study function
fMRI – Measures brain activity via blood flow
EEG – Measures electrical activity in the brain
Long Term Potentiation (LTP) – Strengthening of synapses; basis for learning and memory
Patient H.M. – Lost hippocampus → could not form new memories
Phineas Gage – Frontal lobe injury → personality and behavior changes
Drugs & Effects
Stimulants – Increase CNS activity (e.g., caffeine, amphetamines)
Depressants – Decrease CNS activity (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines)
Hallucinogens – Alter perception and cognition (e.g., LSD, psilocybin)
Other Key Concepts
Nature vs. Nurture – Genetics (heredity) vs environment shapes behavior
Evolutionary Perspective – Behavior shaped by natural selection
Natural Selection – Traits that increase survival and reproduction are passed on
Eugenics – Controversial belief in improving human genetic quality
Genes & Behavior – Research studies how genetics influence behavior and mental processes