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Psychology > Nervous System Functioning > Flashcards

Nervous System Functioning Flashcards

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1
Q

Divisions of nervous system

A

Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous system,

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2
Q

Parts of CNS

A

Brain and spinal cord

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3
Q

PNS branches

A

Somatic and Autonomic nervous system

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4
Q

Subparts of the Autonomic nervous system

A

Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

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5
Q

Functions of CNS

A

communicates with the body by conveying messages to the PNS
processes interprets and stores information
issues orders to muscles, glands, organs

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6
Q

The brain

A

an intricate network of cells that plays a vital role in processing information received through neural pathways from the body and in directing actions within the body

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7
Q

Spinal cord upper/lower function

A

upper- communication with brain and upper parts of body

lower- communication between the brain and lower parts of the body

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8
Q

spinal cord functions

A

receive sensory information from the body and send these messages to the brain for processing
receive motor information from the brain and send it to relevant parts of the body( via PNS)- control muscle, organs and glands

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9
Q

spinal cord comprises of

A

white and grey matter
white- axons that run length of spinal cord uninterrupted and bundled together
grey- cell bodies, together with axons and dendrites, located near centre of spinal cord

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10
Q

what are interconnected axons in CNS called

A

tracts, circuits or pathways

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11
Q

Differentiate ascending/descending tracts

A

ascending tracts- somatosensory information, comes in from parts of body, through spinal nerves to brain
descending tracts- motor information, leaves brain travels down spinal cord and exit via spinal nerves to muscles, organs, glands

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12
Q

PNS function

A

sends messages to CNS via sensory neurons
carries out messages from CNS via motor neurons
transfer information from sensory organs to CNS, then convey info from CNS to muscles, organs and glands

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13
Q

distinguish afferent/efferent pathways

A

afferent- ascending, sensory tracts

efferent- descending, motor tracts

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14
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

controls our conscious voluntary responses

functions incontinuously

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15
Q

why is SNS called skeletal

A

has both a sensory and motor function

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16
Q

functions of SNS

A

transmits messages from sensory receptors to CNS

controls the voluntary movement of skeletal muscles through CNS messages

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17
Q

ANS

A

directs our unconscious/involuntary functioning

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18
Q

ANS function

A

keep homeostasis in body
autonomic=self governing, operate usually independently from the brain
controls visceral muscles( internal organs and glands muscles)

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19
Q

sympathetic nervous system functions

A

increases visceral muscle activity
mobilises body internal resources
prepares for vigorous action in times of stress/emergency
sends message to adrenal gland to release adrenaline and noradrenaline

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20
Q

body changes of sympathetic

A 
dilate pupils/inhibit tears
inhibits salivation
increases heart rate, vasodilation/blood pressure increase
increase respiration rate/bronchi dilate
inhibits digestion
sweat glands increase production of sweat
release adrenaline
releases sugar/glucose
relaxes bladder/intestine
inhibition of food intake
gall bladder inhibits bile release
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21
Q

parasympathetic NS

A

calms bodily activity, conserves energy and returns internal system to homeostasis (balanced level of activity)
decreasing visceral muscle activity
reverse symp effects- dominates symp in relaxed times

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22
Q

why does it take longer to return body to homeostasis than arousal

A

lingering hormones such as adrenaline in blood

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23
Q

body changes of paraysympathetic

A 
constricts pupils/stimulate tears
stimulates salivation
heart rate/blood pressure decrease
decrease respiration/bronchi constrict
decrease glucose release from liver
inhibit liver hormone secretion
stimulates digestion
contracts bladder and intestines
decrease production of sweat
stimulates bile release from gall bladder
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24
Q

conscious responses to stimuli

A 
reaction involving awareness
paid attention to stimulus
voluntary reaction
often goal directed
more complex
can be learnt/controlled
vary
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25
Q

unconscious responses to stimuli

A 
reaction not involving awareness
dont have to pay attention
involuntary
reflexive/automatic- increases survival chance
most simple responses
no learning
may not control it
tend to occur in same way each time
26
Q

spinal reflex

A

unconscious, involuntary and automatically occurring response to certain stimuli without brain involvement

  • spinal cord reacts to message directly before it is carried to the brain- automatically reflected from the spinal cord without initial brain input
  • enables faster reaction time, fraction of second before sensory info reaches brain
  • adaptive response- saves times in dangerous/harmful situation
27
Q

two forms of reflex arc

A

monosynaptic/polysnaptic reflex

28
Q

monosynaptic

A

only one synapse- effector neuron brings sensation from receptors and effector neurons carry motor messages to muscles of body
-knee jerk

29
Q

polysynaptic

A

involving interneurons connecting affector and effector neurons, at least two synapses

30
Q

spinal reflex script

A

When (persons name, action), his sensory receptors in his her (body part) are stimulated. This stimulation causes a signal to be sent up an ascending tract via afferent sensory neurons towards the integrating centre in his spinal cord. At the integrating centre, the signal synapses on to an interneuron which sends the signal down a descending tract via efferent motor neurons back towards (persons name) muscles in (body part). When the signal reaches (body part muscles), it causes them to unconsciously contract, thus (persons name) instinctively pulls away from (stimulus). This reflexive action happens a fraction of a second before the signal is sent to the brain to process memory and feel pain.

31
Q

neuron

A

an individual nerve cell that is specialised to receive, process and transmit information
communicate with themselves and muscles and glands

32
Q

three types of neurons

A

sensory, motor and interneurons

sensory/motor found in the nervous system, interneurons only in CNS

33
Q

dendrites

A

an extension of a neuron that detects and receives information from other neurons, by providing a site with receptors

34
Q

axon

A

single tube like extension that transmits neural information to other neurons or muscles/glands
carries info from soma to axon terminal

35
Q

myelin sheath

A

white fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axon
allows efficient, uninterrupted, rapid transmission of electrical impulses
not continuous along axon, separated by nodes of ranvier- increases transmission

36
Q

what disease results from a lack of myelin sheath

A

multiple sclerosis

37
Q

axon terminals

A

small terminals at the end of collaterals, which contains small like knob-like swelling at its tip- terminal button

38
Q

terminal button

A

small structure like a sac that stores and secretes neurotransmitters manufactured by neuron

39
Q

synapse

A

junction between two neurons- site where communication occurs between adjacent neurons

40
Q

composition of synapse

A

synaptic gap
terminal button-pre synaptic neuron
dendrites- post synaptic neurons

41
Q

sensory neurons

A

carry messages from sensory organs through neurons in PNS up to spinal cord to brain
-receive internal and external sensory information- afferent neurons that carry somatosensory information

42
Q

interneurons

A

enable connections between sensory and motor neurons

only exist in CNS-most numerous neuron type

43
Q

motor neurons

A

carry messages away from CNS down efferent pathways to muscles, organs and glands

44
Q

why are somatosensory/motor cortices close

A

adaptive evolutionary brain feature

45
Q

neurotransmitters

A

chemical substances produced by a neuron that carry a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, organs

46
Q

role of neurotransmitters

A

bind to specific receptor sites on dendrites of post synaptic neuron
any that don’t bind get reabsobred into pre synaptic terminal buttons- reuptake

47
Q

two effects of neurons

A

excitatory- stimulates/activates postsynaptic neurons to perform functions
inhibitory- block or prevent postsynaptic neurons from firing

48
Q

most common neurotransmitters

A

GABA and glutamate

49
Q

Glutamate

A

primary excitatory neurotransmitter of CNS-second most abundant
enhances transmission by increasing postsynaptic neuron chances to fire
associated with learning and memory
too high- over excitation and neuronal death

50
Q

GABA

A

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in CNS
maintain neurotransmission at optimal level
counterbalances activity of glutamate and vice versa
low levels- anxiety, epilepsy, seizures, phobias

51
Q

dopamine

A

facilitates movement, attention and learning
creates positive feelings of pleasure
excessive- schizophrenia

52
Q

serotonin

A

regulate mood and controls behaviour

abnormal levels- depression

53
Q

acetylcholine

A
  • memory formation

- low levels- Alzheimers

54
Q

difference between neurohormones and neurotransmitters

A

-neurotransmitters- secrete into synaptic gap
-faster transmission- shorter response
neurohormones- secrete into capillaries and bloodstream
-slower travel, more intense response

55
Q

lock and key script

A

Each neurotransmitter has a chemically-distinct structure. When a neurotransmitter is released from axon terminal of pre-synaptic neuron, it searches for a receptor on the post-synaptic neuron’s dendrites, that has a complimentary shape. Like a lock and key, the neurotransmitter(key) released from pre-synaptic axon terminals, must have the exact shape to bind to the receptor (lock) on post synaptic dendrites. Furthermore,, like a lock and key, when the neurotransmitter binds to the post-synaptic dendritic receptors, it unlocks the effect of the neurotransmitter, which will either have an inhibitory effect, causing the post synaptic neuron to have a less chance of firing an action potential, or to have an excitatory effect, giving the post synaptic neuron a greater chance of firing an action potential.

56
Q

agonist and antagonistic molecules

A

agonist- fills receptor site, and activates it, acts like neurotransmitter
antagonist- fills the receptor so neurotransmitter cant bind and activate the receptor

57
Q

Parkinsons disease

A

symptoms caused by the degneration of dopamine releasing neurons in the substantial niagra
substantial niagra part of basal ganglia, located in the midbrain-responsible most importantly for movement coordination
dopamine needed to control messages as they pass between neurons in substantial niagra and stratum (balance and movement control)
-without enough dopamine- striatum fires uncontrollably
-primary motor cortex, cant execute voluntary movement due to inadequate info due to insufficient dopamine

58
Q

symptoms of parkinsons

A 
only occur when 80 percent drop in dopamine, plus 50 percent drop in substantial niagra neurons
motor- tremors
muscle rigidity
bradykinesia
postural instability
non motor
-ansomia-loss of smell
-increased sensitivity to temperatures
fatigue unrelieved by resting
cognitive function impairment 
mental health- confusion, anxiety
59
Q

causes of parkinsons

A

idiopathic- not having no known cause
risk factor is age
genetics- protein mutations havebeen linked to disease of blocking disposal of abnormal cells
environmental factors- pesticide rotenone
MPTP- contaminant in stress drugs
diet- vitamin B

60
Q

GABA contribution to parkinsons

A

GABA decreases in parkinsons sufferers- causing restless leg syndrome
GABA could block dopamine effects
use L-DOPA, binds with GABA receptors and mimics GABA- agonist

61
Q

treatment

A

no cure
motor symptoms can be relieved by medications that restore dopamine by increasing dopamine level
two types- mimic action of Dopamine- effectively stimulate reception of Dopamine
-converted into Dopamine by neurons
Deep brain stimulation is also a treatment

Psychology (3 decks)

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