Chapter 2 part 1 Flashcards
characteristics and organization of the nervous system
what is the nervous system?
the body’s electrochemical communication system
What is an electrochemical communication system?
a system that uses electrical signals and impulses, as well as chemicals (neurotransmitters) like dopamine to send messages
behavioral neuroscience
the study of how the nervous system affects and controls behavior
how is a human’s brain unique?
it has the ability to change, adapt, reform, and regrow as it experiences learning and injuries
plasticity
the brain can mold (adapt) under the conditions of learning or injury
the young brain is…
much more plastic than a mature brain
the mature brain is…
much less plastic than a young brain
the right hemisphere of the brain controls which side of the body?
the left side
the left hemisphere of the brain controls which side of the body?
the right side
the right side of your body is controlled by which hemisphere of the brain?
the left hemisphere
the left side of your body is controlled by which hemisphere of the brain?
the right hemisphere
when a person experiences an injury at an older age, what do we have to do to get them to use the part of the body that is injured?
we have to show the brain there is a need for that body part (ex: strapping the right arm down so the brain is forced to use the left arm)
central nervous system
any nerves that are encased in bone
which nerves do not grow back if injured?
nerves in the central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
any nerves not encased in bone
which nerves grow back if injured?
nerves in the peripheral nervous system
is the autonomic nervous system part of the central or peripheral nervous system?
peripheral, because they are not encased in bone
autonomic nervous system
motor system than automatically and involuntarily activates or inhibits internal organs of the body
what does the autonomic nervous system affect?
pupils, blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, bladder, blood flow, sweat, salvation, and hormones
can you control what signals your autonomic nervous system sends?
no, because they are sent automatically and involuntarily (ex: can’t just make your heart rate go down, you have to trick your brain by taking deep breaths)
activates nerves
sympathetic nervous system
inhibits nerves
parasympathetic nervous system
can both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system be activated at the same time
no, because they are opposites
sympathetic activation system
uses energy to activate fight or flight
when does the sympathetic nervous system activate?
when we are scared or excited
how does the sympathetic nervous system work?
after it is activated, it will shuttle blood to muscles to prepare our bodies to get ready to fight or flee, and it can shit down bodily systems (digestion, ovulation)
what does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
the opposite of the sympathetic nervous system. it brings your heart rate down, stimulates your stomach, undialating pupils
which system works to gain energy?
parasympathetic nervous system
which system works to spend energy?
sympathetic nervous system
which system is the energy saving system?
parasympathetic nervous system
somatic nervous system
sensory and movement system that relays information about touch and pain to the central nervous system, and sends messages from the brain to the muscles to produce voluntary movement
what types of nerves are in the somatic nervous system?
somatic sensory nerves and somatic motor nerves
what do the somatic sensory nerves do?
receive sensory information and carry it to the brain
what do the somatic motor nerves do?
send out signals to produce voluntary movement
