Chapter 4 - Neurons, Hormones, And The Brain Flashcards
Break down the Central Nervous System into it’s parts.
Central Nervous System -> Brain -> Spinal Chord (Receives, processes, interprets, and stores incoming sensory information and sends out messages to muscles, glands, and internal organs) Peripheral Nervous System -> Somatic Nervous System -> Autonomic Nervous System (Handles the central nervous system's input and output and contains all portions of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord)
What is the nervous system and it’s function?
It is a compilation of neurons throughout the body that work in a system of communication to provide information processing. It functions to gather and process information, produce responses to stimuli, and coordinate the workings if different cells.
What are spinal reflexes?
Automatic behaviors produced by the spinal chord without any help from the brain. The spinal chord is used as an extension of the brain so when, for example, a pain impulse (a hot pot is touched) is felt and the hand is removed without consultation and analytical process from the brain prior to removing the hand from the hot surface.
Break down the Peripheral Nervous System and explain its functional pieces.
Somatic Nervous System
- connected to sensory receptors (touch, sight, smell)
- facilitates sensory details to the brain
Autonomic Nervous System
- regulates the functioning of blood vessels, glands, and internal organs
- works virtually automatically
Further break down the Autonomic Nervous System.
Sympathetic Nervous System
- mobilizes bodily resources and increases the output of energy during emotion and stress
- makes you blush, sweat, increased heart rate and blood pressure
Parasympathetic Nervous System
- operates during relaxed states and conserves energy
- slows the effects of the sympathetic nervous system
What are neurons and what purpose do they have?
Neurons are cells that conduct electrochemical signals. They are the basic unit of the nervous system and carry out its communication.
What are the types of neurons and how do they differ?
Sensory neurons - carry information from the sensory organs to the Central Nervous System
Motor neurons - carry information from the Central Nervous System to the muscles and glands
Interneurons - In the Central Nervous System only and integrate information creating the sense of consciousness
Describe the structure of a neuron.
Neurons are made up of a body (known as the soma or cell body), hairs (known as dendrites), the tail (known as the axon), and synaptic knobs or bulbs. This structure is surrounded and nurtured by glia or glial cells which hold them in place like glue. The axon is covered by the myelin sheath (fatty insulation used to quicken the transmission) and splits into axon terminals that end in synaptic knobs.
Describe how neurons transmit information to one another.
The dendrites act as antennae and receive messages from other neurons and begin processing the information. The cell body determines whether the neuron should or should not “fire” depending on the message from other neurons. The axon then transmits the information away from the cell body to other neurons. The axon is split into axon terminals that end in synaptic bulbs. The synaptic bulbs receive the information and transmit it across the synaptic cleft or synapsis, the space between neurons. Nerve cells do not touch in the transmission of information.
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical substances that are released by transmitting neurons at the synapse and alter the activity of the receiving neuron.
Describe the six most common neurotransmitters.
Serotonin - affects neurons involved in sleep, appetite, sensory perception, temperature regulation, pain suppression and mood.
Dopamine - affects neurons involved in voluntary movement, learning, memory, emotion, and possibly response to novelty.
Acetylcholine - affects neurons involved in muscle action, cognitive functioning, memory and emotion.
Norepinephrine - affects neurons involved in increased heart rate and the slowing of intestinal activity during stress, and neurons involved in learning, memory, dreaming, waking from sleep, and emotion.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) - functions as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Glutamate - functions as the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain; released by about 90% of the brain’s neurons.
What are endorphins and what are their effect?
Chemical substances in the nervous systems that are similar to opiates and involved in pain reduction, pleasure, and memory.
Ex. - morphine works by binding to receptor cites in the brain
What are hormones and what is their function?
Chemical substances secreted by glands that affect the functioning of other organs. They are released directly into the bloodstream, carrying them to organs and cells.
Briefly describe the four main hormones of interest to psychologists.
Melatonin - released by the pineal gland to help regulate daily biological rhythms and promote sleep.
Oxytocin - secreted by the pituitary gland and enhances uterine contractions during child birth and facilitates the ejection of milk during nursing.
Adrenal hormones - produced by the adrenal glands and are involved in emotion and stress. Also releases cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Sex hormones - secreted by the gonads and adrenal glands. Androgens, Estrogens, and Progesterone. Assist in the onset of puberty and development.
