biospsychology Flashcards
what is the nervous system divided into?
central and peripheral nervous system
what does the central nervous system consist of and what does it do?
consists of the brain and spinal cord
the brain is the command centre for the nervous system and coordinates bodily functions, processing info and making decisions
what does the peripheral NS contain and do?
it contains nerves outside of the CNS and has two sub-branches
what are the two subbranches of the PNS?
autonomic and somatic
what does the somatic nervous system do?
carries messages from the CNS to muscles throughout the body, controlling body movement. the brain triggers the movement but the somatic nervous system conducts it
what nervous system has two sub-branches within the PNS?
autonomic NS
sympathetic and parasympathetic NS
what does the sympathetic nervous system do?
controls the 4 f’s, flight, fight, fright and fornicate. so it activates the fight or flight response
which NS is incharge of the rest and digest function?
the parasympathetic NS
what do neurons do?
are specialised cells that facilitate communication within the brain -> intercellular communcaiton
what are the main components of a neuron?
axon, soma, axon hillock, dendrites, myelin sheath, axon terminals, terminal buttons (on the ends of dendrites)
what allows for faster signals to be sent along the axon?
myelin sheath
what is the synapse?
is the gap between two connective neurons (also the synapse cleft)
what part of the neuron cannot be damaged otherwise it leads to neuron death
Soma
what are the spheres within the axon that release neurotransmitters? and what unlocks them
synaptic vesicles
calcium unlocks them
what are glial cells?
they are nerve cells that allow for the formation of the blood brain barrier, myelin sheath, respond to injury, remove debris and enhance learning and memory
what is the oligodendrocyte?
a glial cell that aids with promoting new connections among nerve cells and release chemicals to aid in healing
what are astrocytes?
glial cells within the BBB, and allow for better communication amongst neurons, control blood flow in the brain
how are neurotransmitters removed?
removed by enzymes or transported back to the synaptic cleft within terminal buttons by transporter proteins for recycling
what is the resting membrane potential of the axon?
-70mV and is caused by negative proteins and ions
what is the activation threshold for action potentials
-55Mv
once the firing threshold is met what occurs?
depolarisation (the entering of sodium ions rapidly
what is the stimulus for action potentials?
neurotransmitters
what gates open at -55mV and what happens?
the sodium and potassium gates open. sodium floods in and potassium leaves
how many potassiums are let in and how many sodiums are let out by sodium-potassium pumps?
3 sodiums are kicked out and one potassium is let in during resting potential
what are the stages of an action potential?
resting potential, stimulus, firing threshold is met (-50mV), depolarisation, action potential, repolarisation and absolute refractory period, hyperpolarisation and relative refractory period, resting potential
what is the absolute refractory period?
occurs after an action potential is fired and another action potential cannot be fired
what is the lock and key model of neurotransmission?
neurotransmitters have to fit the receptor site to unlock the sodium channels causing depolarisation
what is an agonist?
enhance receptor site activity or drugs mimic their function
what is an antagonist?
decrease receptor site activity, inhibit neurotransmitter functions
what is neural plasticity?
the nervous systems ability to reshape or reconnect neural interconnections
what is synaptogenesis?
formation of new synapses
what is neurogenesis?
formation of new neurons in the adult brain
what is spatial summation?
post synaptic neurons receive excitatory signals from other neurons
what is temporal summation?
pre synaptic neuron sends excitatory signals to other neurons
what does serotonin do? what can too little and too much do? is it inhibitory or excitatory?
regulates mood, hunger and sleep
too much: hallucinations
too little depression and mood disorder
inhibitory
what does dopamine do? what can too little and too much do? is it inhibitory or excitatory?
regulates mood, emotion, arousal
too much: schizophrenia and addictions
too little: Parkinson’s
what does acetylcholine do? what can too little and too much do? is it inhibitory or excitatory?
muscle function, learning and memory, attention
too much: muscle problems
too little alzheimers
what does glutamate do? And what can too much do? is it inhibitory or excitatory?
excitatory and increases likelihood of neurons talking to eachother, helps with learning and memory
too much: linked with schizophrenia
what does GABA do? is it inhibitory or excitatory?
inhibitory
plays a role in anxiety, learning, memory and sleep.
what bathes the brain and spinal cord to provide nutrients and provide cushioning for injuries?
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
what are stem cells?
unspecialised cells that have the potential to become specialised
what does the basal ganglia do?
motor control and decision making
if there damage to the basal ganglia what disorders occur?
schizophrenia and parkinsons
what is apart of the limbic system?
hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, thalamus
what does the limbic system do?
emotional processing and motivation
thalamus function?
conveys sensory info to cortex
hypothalamus function?
oversees endocrine and autonomic NS
amygdala function?
regulates arousal and fear
hippocampus function?
memory, spatial location, and emotion
people with ptsd have miscommunication between what?
amygdala and hippocampus
what is within the hindbrain?
reticular activating system, brain stem, cerebellum
what is the function of the hind brain?
allows for homeostasis of involuntary fucntions and relays motor info from brain to spinal cord
what does the spinal cord do?
allows for communication between brain and body
how does the two-way central nervous system work?
sensory info is carried through sensory nerves to the brain, and motor nerves carry down the motor command
what are interneurons and what do they allow?
they connect sensory and motor nerves within the spinal cord without having to report back to the brain, allows for reflexes
what does the endocrine system do?
works with the nervous system to release hormones (molecules) into the bloodstream
what are hormones released from?
glands
are hormones long last or short lasting?
long lasting because they are carried through the blood vessels
what is the pituitary gland and what does it do?
controls other glands in the body
controlled by the hypothalamus
releases hormones that regulate growth, control BP, and water retainment in kidneys
what is oxytocin?
hormone released by pituitary gland
responsible for love (romantic and maternal), and stretching out cervix during birth
what do the adrenal glands do?
manufactures adrenaline hormones and cortisol
what does adrenaline do?
boosts energy production in muscles
what does cortisol do?
increases response to physical and psychological stressors, regulates BP, body’s use of proteins carbs and fats, and heart function
what hormone causes high levels of anxiety and children with low levels have conduct issues?
cortisol
what sexual hormones are linked to females and their sex glands?
ovaries, and oestrogen
what sexual hormones are linked to males and their sex glands?
testosterone, testes
