AOS1 SAC Flashcards
Neural communication pathway
receptor site sends message to sensory neurons via afferent tracts in spinal cord to brain, interneurons receive the message and communicate with motor neurons via efferent tracts, motor neurons trigger effectors (muscles, organs, glands)
Spinal reflex
automatic response initiated by neurons in the spinal cord instead of the brain, pain is registered in the brain after the reflex (sensory neuron to interneuron to motor neurons).
RECEPTOR CELL–SENSORY NEURON–INTERNEURON–MOTOR NEURON– EFFECTOR
Interneurons
only found in CNS, communicates between sensory and motor neurons, can sometimes send signals straight to motor neurons in spinal reflexes.
Role of neurons
reception and transmission of information
Dendrites
receives chemical neurotransmitter message
Soma
holds genetic material, cell metabolism
Axon
path down which the electrical message (action potential) travels
Myelin Sheath
fatty tissue that protects, insulates and speeds up transmission
Axon terminals
neurotransmitters are released from here into the synapse, exit pathway for neural messages
Resting potential
negative energy in axon, outside neuron is positively charged
Action potential
negative charges become positive and vice versa (electric impulse), initiated by the soma
Electrochemical
communication within the neuron is electric and between is chemical
Pre synaptic neuron
releases neurotransmitters to post synaptic dendrite, where they will bind if they are complementary to receptor sites
Post synaptic dendrite
receives neurotransmitters from the pre synaptic neuron
Independent Groups
There’s a control and experimental group.
Quick, inexpensive, no order effects, less impact from drop outs
Participant variables have a higher chance of effecting the DV (decreased validity)
Repeated measures
Participants are in both control and experimental groups.
Reduced participant effects and therefore reduced variables (increased validity)
Improvement due to practice, order effects– can be helped by counterbalancing (phase 1- control then experimental groups, phase 2- experimental then control groups)
Matched participants
Participants are matched for factors that could affect the DV then one participant is allocated to control and the other to experimental
Participant effects are controlled for extraneous variables
It is difficult to have a large sample, withdrawal of participants has a major effect on sample size
Somatic NS
voluntary actions, control of skeletal muscles, sensory and motor neurons
Autonomic NS
involuntary actions of muscles, organs and glands, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
S.A.M.E
sensory afferent motor efferent
Functions of the nervous system
receives info from environment, sends electrochemical messages, responds to information through muscles, organs and glands
Why does returning to homeostasis take longer?
The hormones released by the sympathetic nervous system take longer to leave the body
Controlling the autonomic nervous system
meditation, deep breathing, biofeedback
Central nervous system
consists of the brain and spinal cord, which receive, process and integrates information from the body and then responds. The spinal cord connects the brain to the body through the peripheral nervous system
Spinal cord
In the centre is grey matter, which are cell bodies, axons and dendrites. The outer layers are white matter, which are myelin coated axons which form axon columns, which form afferent or efferent tracts. The axon columns bundle into spinal nerves that carry messages to and from the spinal cord.
spinal cord message carrier
Sensory info from PNS to brain through afferent tracts and motor info back to PNS through efferent tracts
PNS
All nerves that don’t include the CNS. Conveys sensory info and transmits motor info from CNS via connection to the spinal cord.
Somatic nervous system
controls voluntary responses of skeletal muscles, involves both sensory and motor neurons, also includes the senses and sensations
Autonomic nervous system
regulates the activity of organs and glands, self regulating, motor messages are sent to involuntary muscles, still communicates with the brain
Lock and key
neurotransmitters act as a key and are specific to the receptor, which acts as the lock. Neurotransmitters with non-complementary shapes cannot bind to the receptor.(IF REFERRING TO THE PROCESS DESCRIBE THE RESPONSE IT RESULTS IN)
Why are neurotransmitters chemical?
Because they can’t jump across the synapse
Neurotransmitters binding
Even if neurotransmitters bind, they will return to their neuron. If neurotransmitters do not bind, they will degrade. If they are never used, they will eventually die.
Sympathetic nervous system
part of the autonomic nervous system, for times of heightened emotions or vigorous activity, responsible for the flight/fight/freeze response. Motor signals are sent to the adrenal glands which send adrenaline into the bloodstream, which increases heart rate and blood pressure. Pupils dilate for extra light for better vision, perspiration decreases, digestion decreases.
Parasympathetic nervous system
maintains homeostasis, vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and digestion. Returns the effects of the sympathetic nervous system to normal, but takes longer to occur as it takes time for the released hormones to disappear.
Spinal reflexes
occur automatically by the somatic nervous system and operate independently from the brain. Sensory neurons pass the message of pain to the interneurons, which in turn send this message to motor neurons, which then respond.
Monosynaptic reflex
Activate only one synapse between a sensory and motor neuron