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Psychological and Brain Sciences Exam 1 > Chapter 3 > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two basic divisions of the nervous system?

A

Central nervous system (CNS) and Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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2
Q

What does the Central Nervous System (CNS) consist of?

A

Brain and spinal cord

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3
Q

What is the primary function of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?

A

Moves muscles, regulates internal organs, and directs sensory info to the brain

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4
Q

What are the two subdivisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?

A

Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

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5
Q

What is the role of the somatic nervous system?

A

Transmits information towards the brain and connects to skeletal muscles to initiate movement

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6
Q

What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?

A

Controls autonomic needs of the body such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure

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7
Q

What are the two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system

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8
Q

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?

A

Fight, flight, freeze response and energy expenditure

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9
Q

What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

Rest and digest; increases energy supply

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10
Q

What are the three categories of neurons involved in autonomic reflexes?

A
  • Sensory neurons
  • Interneurons
  • Motor neurons
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11
Q

What is the function of sensory neurons?

A

Carry environmental messages toward the spinal cord and brain

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12
Q

What is the function of interneurons?

A

Transfer information from one cell to another without direct contact with the outside world

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13
Q

What is the function of motor neurons?

A

Carry information away from the spinal cord and brain to muscles and glands

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14
Q

What are glial cells?

A

Supportive cells in the nervous system that assist neurons

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15
Q

Name the types of glial cells.

A
  • Astrocytes
  • Microglia
  • Oligodendrocytes
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16
Q

What is the role of astrocytes?

A

Communicate with neurons, control blood flow, hold structure of the brain, and repair neurons

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17
Q

What is the function of microglia?

A

Clean up debris and participate in anti-inflammatory reactions

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18
Q

What do oligodendrocytes do?

A

Produce myelin sheath for several adjacent axons in the CNS

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19
Q

What is the difference between oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells?

A

Oligodendrocytes myelinate multiple axons in the CNS, while Schwann cells myelinate a single axon in the PNS

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20
Q

What is the blood-brain barrier?

A

A selectively permeable barrier that regulates what can enter the brain

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21
Q

What is the role of the axon hillock?

A

Start of action potential (AP) and propagates the signal down the axon

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22
Q

What is synaptic transmission?

A

Neurons communicate via electrical and chemical signals

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23
Q

What is membrane potential?

A

The difference in electrical charge across the membrane from inside to outside of the cell

24
Q

What is the resting potential of a prototypical neuron?

A

Approximately -70mV

25
What is depolarization?
Increase of positive charge in the neuron
26
What is hyperpolarization?
Increase of negative charge in the neuron
27
What is the threshold of excitation?
A set point that must be reached to produce an action potential
28
What occurs during the depolarization phase of an action potential?
Positive ions rush into the neuron
29
What happens during the refractory period?
Positive ions rush out of the cell until resting membrane potential is reached
30
What is the rate law?
Intensity varies with the rate at which the neuron fires
31
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses
32
What is the role of glutamate?
Primarily excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory
33
What is the role of GABA?
Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts as a depressant
34
What is the primary function of acetylcholine?
Involved in motor movements, REM sleep, and memory formation
35
What is dopamine implicated in?
Reward, movement, and learning
36
What is serotonin primarily associated with?
Mood regulation, eating, sleeping, and sensory processing
37
What are agonists?
Substances that enhance or mimic the action of neurotransmitters
38
What are antagonists?
Substances that block the action of neurotransmitters
39
What are the three major anatomical regions of the brain?
* Hindbrain * Midbrain * Forebrain
40
What is the primary function of the hindbrain?
Provide basic life-support for the body
41
What structures are included in the hindbrain?
* Medulla * Pons * Cerebellum
42
What is the role of the midbrain?
Acts as a relay station for visual and auditory information
43
What does the forebrain contain?
Cerebral cortex and subcortical regions
44
What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
* Frontal * Parietal * Temporal * Occipital
45
What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?
Primary motor cortex
46
What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?
Primary sensory cortex
47
What is the primary function of the temporal lobe?
Primary auditory cortex
48
What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?
Primary visual cortex
49
What is hemispheric lateralization?
The left hemisphere controls the right half of the body, and vice versa
50
What is the function of the thalamus?
Sensory relay station in the forebrain
51
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Regulates various motivational activities such as eating and drinking
52
What does the limbic system involve?
Motivation, energy, and memory
53
What is the role of the amygdala?
Drives fear, aggression, and defensive behaviors
54
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Vital for the formation of memories and spatial navigation
55
What is the endocrine system?
A messenger system that uses hormones released by glands to regulate distant organs
56
What are the characteristics of the endocrine system?
* Long-lasting effects * Travels through the bloodstream * Involves feedback loops

Psychological and Brain Sciences Exam 1 (4 decks)

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