2 the nervous system

Question 1

Central nervous system

Answer 1

• comprised of the brain and spinal cord
• receives sensory information from the peripheral nervous system
• sends motor information to the peripheral nervous system

Question 2

Brain

Answer 2

receive info from the outside world via the senses and coordinate appropriate responses

Question 3

Spinal cord

Answer 3

• sends sensory/afferent messages towards the brain
• sends motor/efferent messages away from the brain

Question 4

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 4

• comprised of the muscles, organs,
  and gland
• sends sensory info to the central nervous system
• receives motor info from the central nervous system

Question 5

Somatic nervous system

Answer 5

A network of neurons within the body that transmit information from receptor sites to the CNS, and then carry information to the muscles to initiate voluntary movement

Question 6

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 6

A network of neurons that carry information between the CNS, and the organs and glands, to ensure they are regulated without conscious awareness

Question 7

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 7

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for vigorous activity.

Question 8

The Neurotransmitterfight-flight-freeze response

Answer 8

An adaptive response initiated by the sympathetic nervous system and prepares the body to confront a stressful situation to optimise the chance of survival.

Question 9

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 9

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains homeostasis and calms the body down after vigorous activity.

Question 10

Sensory neuron

Answer 10

Transmits sensory information from your body to your brain.

Question 11

Motor neuron

Answer 11

Transmits motor information from your brain to your body.

Question 12

Interneuron

Answer 12

Transmits information between sensory and motor neurons.

Question 13

Typical neural communication

Answer 13

1. Sensory neurons at the receptor site (skin) feel the sensation.
2. They pass it along afferent tracts through the PNS, to the spinal cord in the CNS, and eventually to the brain.
3. Interneurons in the brain then communicate with motor neurons.
4. Motor neurons send a signal via efferent pathways through the spinal cord in the CNS, then through the PNS, and effectually to an effector site (muscle)

Question 14

Spinal reflex

Answer 14

An automatic response that is initiated by neurons in the spinal cord, independent of the brain.

Question 15

Structure of neurons

Answer 15

Dendrite: Receives incoming neural messages

Soma: Contains the nucleus with the genetic material for the neuron

Axon: Pathway down which the neural message travels

Myelin sheath: Fatty tissue that encases the axon to aid in speed of transmission

Axon terminals: Exit pathways for neural messages to make their way to the next neuron

Terminal buttons: Releases a neurotransmitter to a receiving neuron for communication purposes

Question 16

Neurotransmission

Answer 16

1. A neural impulse (electrical energy) runs from the dendrite down the axon to the axon terminals.
2. The terminal buttons release a NT (chemical energy).
3. This NT crosses the synapse
   (space from one neuron to the next).
4. The NT is picked up by the receiving neuron via the dendrites.

Question 17

Neurotransmitter

Answer 17

The chemical substance released by the terminal button of a neuron, necessary for neural communication.

Question 18

Excitatory

Answer 18

Increasing the likelihood that the
neuron will fire an action potential.

Question 19

Inhibitory

Answer 19

Decreasing the likelihood that the
neuron will fire an action potential.

Question 20

Glutamate - Memory

Answer 20

An excitatory neurotransmitter that
is involved in memory and learning

Question 21

GABA - Calming

Answer 21

An inhibitory neurotransmitter associated with calming feelings of anxiety, stress, or fear.

Question 22

Neuromodulator

Answer 22

A neuromodulator is a chemical messenger that enhances signal transmission.

Question 23

Dopamine - Pleasure

Answer 23

A neuromodulator that is involved in drive, motivation and motor movement.

Question 24

Serotonin - Mood

Answer 24

A neuromodulator that is involved in mood stabilisation.

Question 25

Neuroplasticity

Answer 25

The ability of the brain to physically change in response to experience

• developmental
• adaptive

Question 26

Synaptic plasticity

Answer 26

The ability of synaptic connections to change over time in response to activity or experience.

Question 27

Long-term potentiation (LTP)

Answer 27

The long-lasting and experience-dependent strengthening of
synaptic connections that are regularly activated.

Question 28

Long-term depression (LTD)

Answer 28

The long-lasting and experience-dependent weakening of synaptic connections between neurons that are not regularly activated.

Question 29

Neural processes

Answer 29

Synaptic plasticity is possible as a result of sprouting, rerouting, and pruning.

Question 30

Sprouting

Answer 30

The ability of dendrites or axons to change over time in response to activity or experience.

Question 31

Rerouting

Answer 31

The ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternate synaptic connection

Question 32

Pruning

Answer 32

The elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated.