Chapter 2: An Overview Of The Nervous System Flashcards
Network of cells that carries information to & from all parts of the body
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Branch of life sci that deals with the structure & functioning of the brain, neurons, nerves & nervous tissue that form the nervous system
Santiago Ramon y Cajal
NEUROSCIENCE
Focuses on biological bases of psychological processes, behavior & learning
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Behavioral Neuroscience
Specialized cell that is considered as the messengers of the body
Makes up 10% of the brain
NEURONS
Input Terminals
Branch like
Message receiver
DENDRITES
Cell body
Contains nucleus
Keeps cell alive
SOMA
Carries and sends messages to other cells
AXON
Fatty substance that protect axon
Generated by Glial cells
MYELIN
Output
SYNAPTIC KNOBS
Axon Terminals
Separate, support and Insulate neurons Give nutrients Clean up remains of dead neurons Communicate with neurons 90% of the brain
GLIAL CELLS
What does the ff do? Oligodendrocytes (CNS) Schwann Cells (PNS)
Produces Myelin
The Neural Impulse:
Neuron at rest is….
ELECTRICALLY CHARGED
The Neural Impulse:
Relative charge of ions
- Inside
+ Outside
The Neural Impulse:
Process of molecules moving from High to Low concentration
DIFFUSION
The Neural Impulse:
Tiny protein openings
CHANNELS
The Neural Impulse:
Cell is at rest
- Inside
+ Outside
RESTING POTENTIAL
The Neural Impulse:
Occurs when +Na ions enter the cell causing a reversal of the electrical charge from - to +
ACTION POTENTIAL
The Neural Impulse:
^
/ |
\_\_/ |
/ |
/ |
----- \ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_--------
*Neurons fire in all or nothing manner
Resting Potential > Threshold > Action Potential > Hypolarization > Resting Potential
Empty fluid-filled space between the axon & the next dendrite
THE SYNAPSE
End fibers of axon
SYNAPTIC KNOB IF PRESYNAPTIC NEURON
Sac-like structure at the end of the knob
SYNAPTIC VESICLES
Surface of the dendrite of the next neuron
SURFACE OF POST SYNAPTIC NEURON
Float across the synapse
Fit themselves into the receptor sites
Activating the next cell
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Neurotransmitters:
Causes the receiving cell to fire
EXCITATORY
Neurotransmitters:
Causes the receiving cell to stop firing
INHIBITORY
Major Neurotransmitters:
Mood, sleep, appetite
Can be either I or E
Lack = depression
SEROTONIN
Major Neurotransmitters: Memory, control of muscle contraction, arousal, attention Found in hippocampus Can be I or E First known transmitter CURARE - poison that blocks it
ACETYLCHOLINE
Major Neurotransmitters: Control of movement & sensations of pleasure Can be I or E Low = Parkinson's High = Schizophrenia
DOPAMINE
Major Neurotransmitters: Sleep & inhibits movement Can help calm anxiety Major I (to the brain) *enhanced by alcohol
GABA
Gamma - Aminobutyric Acid
Major Neurotransmitters: Learning, memory formation, nervous system development Synaptic Plasticity Major E Excess = Alzheimer's
GLUTAMATE
Glutamate:
Ability of brain to change connection among its neurons
SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY
Major Neurotransmitters:
Pain relief
*Morphine or heroin stops production of these
ENDORPHINES
Major Neurotransmitters:
Arousal & mood
Mainly E
Low levels = depression
NOREPINEPHRINE
Chemical substance that BLOCKS or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter
ANTAGONIST
Mimics or enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter
AGONIST
Taken back to synaptic
REUPTAKE
Structure is altered so that it can no longer act as a receptor
ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION
CNS:
Gets info from senses
Decisions & commands
BRAIN
CNS:
Long bundle of neurons
SPINAL CORD
Spinal cord:
Carry messages from body to brain
OUTER
Spinal cord:
Help control reflex
INNER
CNS:
Part of the spinal cord that is responsible for certain reflexes
THE REFLEX ARC
The Reflex Arc:
Sensory
Carries messages from senses to spinal cord
AFFERENT NEURONS
The Reflex Arc:
Motor
Carries messages from spinal cord to muscles & glands
EFFERENT NEURONS
The Reflex Arc:
Connects afferent to efferent neurons
Make- up the spinal cord & brain
INTERNEURONS
CNS:
Generates neurons
Creates a new path way
NEUROPLASTICITY
Made up of nerves & neurons that are not contained in the CNS
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
PNS: Two Major Systems
Made up of sensory & motor pathways
Sensory pathway delivers to CNS
SOMATIC
PNS: Two Major Systems
Controls organs, glands & involuntary muscles
AUTONOMIC
Autonomic:
Flight or Fight
SYMPATHETIC
Autonomic:
Rest & Digest
PARASYMPATHETIC
Secrete hormones directly to the bloodstream
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
Endocrine Glands:
Sleep & wake cycle
Melatonin
Responses to change of light
PINEAL GLAND
Endocrine Glands:
Master gland
Hormones
PITUITARY GLAND
Endocrine Glands:
Metabolism
Thyroxin (brain development)
THYROID
Endocrine Glands:
Controls levels of sugar (insulin) & glucagons
PANCREAS
Endocrine Glands:
Regulates sexual development
GONADS
Endocrine Glands:
Regulate salt intake
Secretes Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
ADRENALS
The Brain:
Structures at the bottom part of the brain
HIND BRAIN
The Hind Brain:
Bridge between brain & spinal cord
Sensory nerves crossover
Heartbeat, breathing & swallowing
MEDULLA
The Hind Brain: Message transmission Bridges Cortex to Cerebellum Coordinates movements of L&R side of the body Sleep, dreaming & arousal
PONS
The Hind Brain:
Allows people to ignore unchanging & become alert to changes
RETICULAR FORMATION
The Hind Brain:
Reflexes are stored
Controls balance & muscle coordination
CEREBELLUM
The Brain:
Several brain structures under the cortex
Learning, emotion, memory & motivation
THE LIMBIC SYSTEM
The Limbic System:
Relays info from sensory organs to cerebral cortex
THALAMUS
The Limbic System:
Above Pituitary
Regulates body 🌡, 👅🍽, 💦,🛌 & wake, emotions
HYPOTHALAMUS
The Limbic System:
Almond- shaped
Responses to memory of FEAR
AMYGDALA
The Limbic System: Above the corpus collosum Emotional & cognitive tasks Selective attention Memory Word recognition
CINGULATE CORTEX
The Brain:
Upper part of the brain
Consists of L & R hemispheres and the structures connecting them
THE CEREBRUM
The Brain: Outer part of the brain Cerebral hemispheres (L&R) Wrinkling (Corticalization) Copus Collosum (hard bodies)
THE CORTEX
The Lobes: Rear of the head Sight Primary visual cortex Visual association cortex
OCCIPITAL LOBE
The Lobes: Wall Somatosensory cortex Touch Temperature Body position
PARIETAL LOBE
The Lobes: Of / near the temples Primary Auditory cortex Auditory Association cortex Language & taste can also be processed here
TEMPORAL LOBE
The Lobes: Front side of the brain Mirror neurons Connects to limbic system High mental functions (personality, memory storage, decision making) Can control emotion Motor Cortex
FRONTAL LOBE
The Hemispheres:
Sequence
Logical thought processes
Structuralist
LEFT
The Hemispheres:
Simultaneous process of info
Music & artistic processing
Gestaltist
RIGHT
