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Chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

The Nervous System

A

the body’s electrochemical communication circuitry.

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2
Q

Characteristics of the Nervous System

A

Complexity: orchestration of billions of nerve cells (sing, dance, write, talk, seeing, reading..)

Integration: pulls information together

Adaptability: ability to function in a changing world.
(Plasticity): The brain’s special ability for change (the cab driver example)

Electrochemical Transmission: Brain and Nervous System work as an information processing. System powered by electrical impulses and chemical messengers

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3
Q

Afferent Nerves (Input)

A

Sensory nerves that carry information to the spinal cord. Communicate information from external environment.
(Seeing a sunset and being tired)

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4
Q

Efferent Nerves (Output)

A

Motor nerves that carry information out of the brain and spinal cord.

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5
Q

Neural Networks

A

Interconnected groups of nerve cells that integrate sensory input and motor output. Make up most of your brain.

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6
Q

More than 99% of nerves are in the….

A

Central Nervous System (the brain and spinal cord)

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7
Q

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A

Connects brain and spinal cord to body, Carries out commands of CNS to execute muscular and glandular activities.

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8
Q

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

A

consists of sensory nerves (afferent)

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9
Q

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A

Involuntary bodily functions

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10
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

Arouses the body to mobilize it for action

Fight or Flight

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11
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

Calms the body down

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12
Q

Stressors

A

Circumstances or events that threaten individuals and tax their coping abilities

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13
Q

Corticosteroids (Stress)

A

Powerful stress hormones. Help the brain focus on what needs to be done NOW

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14
Q

Acute Stress

A

Momentary stress over life experiences. Stress ends after event ends

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15
Q

Chronic Stress

A

Continuous stress. Even after event ends.

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16
Q

TRUE OR FALSE

Changing how you view stressful events, you can avoid the body’s stress responses

A

True

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17
Q

2 Types of Nerve Cells

A

Neurons and Glial

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18
Q

Neuron cells

A

Transmit information throughout the nervous system

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19
Q

Glial cells

A

Provide support and nutritional benefits to the nervous system

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20
Q

Dendrite

A

Tree like fibers projecting from the neuron. They receive information and orient
towards the neuron’s cell body.

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21
Q

Axon

A

Part of the nucleus that carries information away from cell body to other cells

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22
Q

Myelin Sheath-

A

a layer of cells, containing fat, that encase and insulate most axons.
Speeds up transmission of nerve pulses. Glial cells provide Myalin.

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23
Q

Nerve impulses

A

Electrical signals

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24
Q

Most notable ions

A

Sodium, Potassium

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25
Action Potential
a brief wave of positive electrical charge that sweeps down the Axon Lasts 1/10,000 of a second
26
All-or-nothing principal
nce the electrical impulse reaches a certain level of intensity (threashold) it fires, and moves all the way down the Axon without losing intensity
27
Synaps
Tiny spaces between neurons
28
Neurotransmitters
transmit or carry information across a gap
29
Acetylcholine
stimulates firing of neurons for muscles, learning, and memory Alzheimers have an Acetylcholine deficiency
30
GABA
(Gama aminobutyric acid)- found in central nervous system Keeps many neurons from firing -Precise control of signal
31
Glumate
learning and memory | Too much can generate migraines, headaches, seizures
32
Norepinephrine
inhibits the firing of neurons in the central nervous system, but excites the heart, intestinal, and urogenital muscles
33
Dopamine
controls voluntary movement and affects sleep, mood, attention, learning, and ability to recognise rewards Related to the personality trait of extraversion
34
Serotonin
regulation of sleep, mood, attention, and learning Teams up with Acetylcholine and Norepinephrine Key to maintaining plasticity (ability to change)
35
Endorphins
natural opiates that stimulate firing | Shield body from pain and elevate pleasure
36
Oxytocin
hormone and neurotransmitter that plays a role in the experience of love and social bonding Stimulated by childbirth and lactation, love at first sight Mostly a female hormone
37
3 ways of studying the brain
Brain lesioning, Brain imaging, Electrical recording
38
Hindbrain
located at the skulls rear, the lowest portion of the brain | Regulates breathing, heart rate, arousal, survival function
39
Main parts of the Hindbrain
the Medulla, the cerebellum and the pons
40
Medulla
Begins where the spinal cord enters the skull | Regulates breathing, heart rate and reflex
41
Cerebellum
above the medulla, and extends from the rear of the hind brain Consists of two round structures Controls motor function like leg and arm movements
42
Pons
bridge in the hind brain that connects the cerebellum and the brain stem
43
Brain stem
includes much of the hindbrain and the midbrain. DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CEREBELLUM Connects the spinal cord to the reticular formation
44
Midbrain
located between the hindbrain and forebrain | Relays information between the brain, eyes, and ears
45
Reticular formation
a collection of nerves involved in patterns of behavior such as walking, sleeping and turning to attend something like a noise
46
Forebrain
the brains largest division and most forward part
47
The limbic system
A network of structures under the cerebral cortex. | Important for memory and emotion
48
2 principal structures of the limbic system
Amygdala, Hippocampus
49
Hippocampus
special role in the storage of memories | Extensive damage to the hippocampus results in the inability to remember new memories
50
Amygdala
almond shaped structure inside the brain towards the base (one on each side) Involved in the discrimination of objects needed for survival Food, mates, social rivals
51
The thalamus
A structure that sits on top of the brain stem, in the central core of the brain. Serves as a relay station Sort information and send to the appropriate place Ex input from the cerebellum, output to a motor area of the cerebral cortex
52
The basal ganglia
A cluster of neurons that sits below the cerebral cortex and atop the thalamus. Work with the cerebellum and cerebral cortex to control and coordinate voluntary movement
53
The hypothalamus
A small structure just below the thalamus. Monitors eating, drinking, sex Regulates the bodies internal state Responsible for the secretion of hormones and neural outputs Ex- blood near the hypothalamus increases by 1-2 degrees, the hypo increases circulation to the sweat glands to cool off
54
The cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the brain. Part of the forebrain, most recent development in the evolutionary scheme Cortex means ‘Bark’ (tree bark) Responsible for the most complex functions such as thinking and planning
55
Neocortex
makes up 80% of the cortex | Size of neocortex strongly related to size of social group where organisms live
56
Lobes
the cortex is divided into 2 halves called hemispheres, each sphere has 4 lobes
57
4 lobes of the brain
Occipital, Temporal, Frontal, Parietal
58
Occipital lobe
located at the back of the head, responds to visual stimuli | Color, shap, and motion
59
Temporal lobe
part of the cerebral cortex above the ears Hearing, language, and processing memory Numerous connections to the limbic system Damage here results in issues with long term memory
60
Frontal lobe
cerebral cortex behind forehead | Involved in personality, intelligence, control of voluntary muscles
61
Prefrontal cortex
at the front of the motor cortex | Involved in higher cognitive function such as planing, reasoning, and self control
62
Parietal lobe
top and toward the rear of the head Involved in registering spacial location, attention, and motor control Ex- judging how far to throw a ball
63
Somatosensory cortex
located at the front of parietal lobes | processes information about body sensations
64
Motor cortex
located at the rear of the frontal lobes | Processes information about voluntary movements
65
Association cortex
Makes of 75% of the cerebral cortex Regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate sensory and motor information Highest functions such as thinking and problem solving happen here Each sensory system has its own association area in the cerebral cortex Largest portion of the association cortex is located in the frontal lobes
66
Brochs area
area of the brain that plays in important role in speech.
67
Wernicks area
damage here causes problems with comprehension
68
Corpus callum
large bundle of Axon connecting the two hemispheres together
69
Endocrine system
consists of glands that regulate the activities of certain organs by releasing their chemical products into the blood stream
70
Glands
organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many bodily functions
71
What does the brain's hypothalamus connect
the nervous system with the endocrine system
72
Hormones
produced by the endocrine system, are chemical messengers
73
Pituitary gland
pea sized gland just beneath the hypothalamus | Controls growth and regulates other glands (Master gland)
74
Adrenal glands
located on top of the kidneys Regulate mood and energy Secrete adrenalin and norepinephrine
75
Pancreas
ocated under the stomach Performs digestive and endocrine functions Produces insulin
76
Ovaries and testes
produce sex hormons | Important role in developing sexual characteristics
77
3 types of brain repair
Collateral sprouting, Substitution of function, Neurogenesis
78
Collateral sprouting
when axons of healthy neurons adjacent to the damaged cell grow new branches
79
Substitution of function
the damaged regions function is taken over by another area of the brain
80
Neurogenesis
new neurons are generated
81
Brain grafts
implants of health tissue into damaged brains
82
Stem cells
primitive cells that have the capacity to develop into most types of human cells
83
The human body contains how many types of cells
220

PSY 101 (5 decks)

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