AOS OVERVIEW Flashcards
CNS
receives neural messages from and transmits neural messages to the peripheral nervous system
PNS
comprising every neuron in the body outside of the central nervous system
Somatic
transmits neural messages related to voluntary motor movement
Autonomic
- regulates visceral muscles, organs and glands
- transmits neural messages to the CNS about activity
Sympathetic
- activates visceral muscles, organs, glands
- preparing the body to respond to a threat/stressor
Parasympathetic
maintains optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs and glands
Sensory neuron (afferent)
transmit sensory neural messages about sensations from PNS to CNS
Motor neuron (efferent)
transmit motor neural messages about movement from CNS to PNS
Interneuron
transfer impulses between sensory and motor neurons
Conscious response
deliberate and voluntary action, initiated by the brain and performed intentionally by the body
Conscious response steps
- Sensory receptors receive info from sense organs
- Sensory neurons (somatic) send info to CNS
- Brain receives and interprets info and makes a decision on movement
- Motor neurons (somatic) send info from brain to effector cells in skeletal muscles
- Skeletal muscles move accordingly
Unconscious response
automatic and involuntary action performed by the body independently of the brain
Neurochemicals
chemical substance that transmits neural information within the nervous system
Neurotransmitters
chemical molecule that has an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons
Excitatory neurotransmitters (neurotransmitters)
glutamate – learning & memory
Inhibitory neurotransmitters (neurotransmitters)
GABA – reduces anxiety
Neuromodulators
chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons
Types of neuromodulators
Dopamine – motor movement, pleasure
Serotonin – mood and sleep
Synaptic plasticity
ability of synaptic connections to change over time in response to activity or experience
Sprouting
ability of dendrites and axons to develop new extensions or branches
Rerouting
ability of a neuron connected to a damaged neuron to create alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron
Pruning
elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated
long term potentiation
long lasting and experience dependent strengthening of synaptic connections that are regularly coactivated
Long term depression
long-lasting and experience-dependent weakening of synaptic connections that are not regularly coactivated
Stress
- psychological and physiological experience
- occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and/or efforts to cope
Stressor
internal or external stimulus that prompts a stress response
Internal stress
stimulus within a person’s body that prompts stress response
external stress
stimulus from outside a person’s body that prompts the stress response
eustress
form of stress characterised by positive psychological state
distress
form of stress characterised by negative psychological state
Acute stress
stress that lasts for a relatively short time
Chronic stress
stress that continues for a prolonged period of time
flight fight freeze
involuntary response to a threatening, fearful or stressful situation, involving physiological changed produced by the sympathetic nervous system
Cortisol
- hormone released in times of stress
- aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal (primary stress syndrome)
- secreted by adrenal glands
- Causes the body’s functions to operate at heightened levels
HPA AXIS
activated at slower, longer-lasting response to stress which induces release of cortisol into the bloodstream
Alarm reaction
initial decrease and subsequent increase in bodily arousal in response to immediate stressor
o Shock: resistance falls below normal
o Countershock: sympathetic causes physiological reactions to occur, resistance increase to above normal
Resistance stage
- maintaining high levels of bodily arousal in response to persistent stressor
- resistance above normal
- Cortisol released into bloodstream to energise body
Exhaustion stage
depletion of energy levels and bodily resources, resulting in an inability to cope with the stressor
GAS PRO AND CON
+predictable pattern of physiological responses associated with distinct stages
- only focuses on biological aspects
Primary appraisal
initial process of evaluating the nature of incoming stressor
Benign positive
- initial appraisal of a stimulus as neutral or good
- does not cause stress
Irrelevant
initial appraisal of a stimulus as a non issue for the individual
Harm/loss
caused damage to individual
Threat
causes damage to the future
Challenge
positive opportunity for growth
Secondary Appraisal
evaluating the resources required and available in order to cope with a stressor
Emotional focused coping
coping strategies that target emotional components of a stressor
Problem focused coping
coping strategies that directly target the source of the stressor
end of TMSC
Coping sources are adequate
o Reappraisal or reduced/eliminated stress
Not enough resources available
o Stress
TMSC PRO AND CON
+allows track the subjective stress response
-stages of primary and secondary appraisal can occur simultaneously
Gut microbiota
all of the microorganisms that live in the gut
Gut microbiome
all of the genes of the microorganisms that live in the gut
Gut-brain axis
the bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain through the enteric and central nervous system
o Enteric nervous system: network of nerves in the gut (autonomic subdivision)
Context-specific effectiveness
when the coping strategy or mechanism used is appropriate for the unique demands of the stressor
Coping flexibility
an individuals ability to adjust or change their coping strategies depending on the unique changing demands of a stressor
High coping
readily adjust coping strategy
Low coping
difficultly in adjusting or adapting coping strategy
Approach strategy
directly confront source of the stress and reduce it (practical)
Avoidance strategy
evading or distancing oneself from source of stress (not practical)
