Overall Flashcards
What is biological psych
- connection between psychological and biological processes
- psychophisologist: non invasive
- bio. Psychologists: invasive
Function of nerve cells
Communication and processing information
Determination of behavior, motor responses ajd hysiological changes
CNS
central nervous system
- neurons and glial cells in the brain and spinal cord
PNS
Peripheral nervous system
- every other neuron and glial cell, located in ganglia in various parts of the body
Afferent neurons
Carry impulses from peripheral to CNS (input for CNS)
Efferent neurons
Carry impulses from CNS to PNS (output of CNS)
Sensory receptors and motor system
Sensory receptors are the INPUT the motor system causes OUTPUT
Somatic motor system
Controls movement of locomotor system through contraction of strained muscles
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Controls vegetative (visceral) functions by impacting the activity of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle and glands
Has 3 divisions
Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
Connected to CNS trgeoufh thoracic and lumbar segments of spinal cord via synapses
Chain of interconnected ganglia-> sympathetic trunk
Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
Connected to neurons in brainstem (medulla and midbrain) and sacral segments of spinal cords with synapses
Parasympathetic ganglia are located in vicinity of target organs
Enteric nervous system
Less organized
Network of 400 mil neurons
Regulates functioning of gastrointestinal system
SNS vs PNS
Opposites,
E.g. SNS increases heart rate, PNS lowers it
- SNS prepared the body for phys activity (releases and uses energy via catabolic process)
- PNS leads to conservation of energy through anabolic process
=> reciprocal coupling (uncoupled and coactivational mode!
Excitability of nerve cells (action and resting potential)
Excitability due to electrical differences in (-) and outside (+) of cell (polarization).
Resting potential -90mV, maintained due to Na+-K+ pump (atp usage)
If stimulus reaches 40-20mV sodium flows into the cell starting action potential (depolarization)
Pump restores polarization (depolarization)
Myelinated axons or larger spread action potential quicker
Synapses
Located at the end terminal of axon and the dendrite of another (create synaptic cleft)