human responses to the environment Flashcards
receptor
structure that receives a stimulus and converts it into an
impulse
effector
gland or organ that brings about a response to stimuli received
by the body
stimulus
detectable change in the internal or external environment
impulse
electrical signal created by receptor organs in response to
stimuli
transmit
to send something from one place to another
autonomic
nervous system
controls our involuntary bodily functions; it is divided into the
sympathetic(fight/flight) and parasympathetic (return body to normal status) nervous system
peripheral
nervous system
consists of nerves that extend outside the central nervous
system (brain and spinal cord)
cranium
part of the skull that contains and protects the brain
meninges
protective membranes surrounding the brain & spinal cord
cerebrospinal fluid
fluid around the brain and spinal cord to aid in protection
grey matter
part of the brain and spinal cord consisting of cell bodies
and dendrites
white matter
part of the brain and spinal cord consisting of myelinated
axons
neuron
specialised nerve cells which transmits nerve impulses
dendrites
fibres that transmit impulses to a cell body in a neuron
nerve
bundle of neurons
synapse
the gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite
of another
neurotransmitter
chemicals which carry impulses across the synapse
homeostasis
the tendency of living organisms to maintain their internal
environment constant within narrow limits irrespective of
changes in the external environments
Alzheimer’s disease
is a neurodegenerative disease usually in older people
and characterized by memory loss and confusion
progressive brain cell death
treatment:
1- medication to maintain mental functioning
2- control behavioural symptoms eg anxiety (medication)
multiple sclerosis
disease where bodies immune system progressively attacks myelin sheath covering neurons. this prevents them from functioning properly.
and characterised by pain and difficulty walking
treatment:
1- anti inflammatory
2- muscle relaxants
3- physiotherapy
. Cerebellum functions (2)
-“bell” VoMB
1- Coordinates all
voluntary movements
2- Controls controls muscle tone (tension in muscles ) = to maintain posture + balance
Medulla oblongata functions (2)
1- Transmits nerve impulses
between the spinal cord
and the brain
2- Controls involuntary
actions such as heartbeat
and breathing
Hypothalamus (1)
Control centre for hunger,
thirst, sleep, body
temperature and emotions
Corpus callosum (2)
1- Connects the left and
right hemispheres of
the brain – allowing
communication between
both hemispheres
2- made of white matter
cerebrum structural adaptation (4)
1- largest part of the brain
2- divided into 2 hemispheres by corpus callosum
3- outer layer: cerebral cortex= made of grey matter
4- gyri (folds) + sulci (grooves) = enlarges brain surface (mneumonic: gyri folds sulci’s grooves)
cerebellum structural adaptations (3)
1- second largest part of brain
2- located behind and below the cerebrum
3- grey matter = outside
white matter = inside, arranged like a branched tree
medulla oblongata structural adaptations (3)
1- lower part of brain
2- extension of spinal cord
3- white matter = outside
great matter = inside (H-shaped)
cerebrum functions (2)
“brum VoSH”
1- controls all Voluntary movements (walking, speaking)
2- sensations: receive + interprets sensations from sense organs (hearing,smell, feeling, taste)
3- Higher thought process (memory, intelligence, reasoning)
