Psych 1 - Exam 2 Flashcards
Neuropsychology
The study of the workings of the nervous system.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
Receives, processes, and stores incoming sensory inputs
Spinal Cord
A collection of neurons and supporting tissue running from the base of the brain down the center of the back, protected by a column of bones.
Spinal Reflexes
Automatic behaviors from below the neck that occur on their own, without help from the brain
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Is made up of all portions of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord
Handles all CNS’s inputs and outputs
Transmits information to and from the CNS by way of sensory nerves and motor nerves
Somatic Nervous System
Or Skeletal Nervous System
Connects to sensory receptors and to skeletal muscles; also called skeletal nervous system
Responsible for:
Feel, Voluntary Movement, Touch
A subdivision of the PNS
Autonomic Nervous System
Regulates blood vessels, glands, and internal organs
Divided in two parts: Sympathetic NS and Parasympathetic NS
The subdivision of the PNS
Sympathetic Nervous System
Fight or flight
Causes response due to emotion/stress
Part of the Autonomic NS that is always followed by the Parasympathetic NS
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Brings your body to a baseline
Causes a relaxed state/conserves energy
Part of the Autonomic NS that follows the Sympathetic NS
Nervous System
Gathers and processes information, produces responses to stimuli, and coordinate the workings of different cells
Neurons
A cell that conducts electrochemical signals to transmit information to, from and within the CNS.
Electrochemical Signals
The language of the NS generated by the neuron
Glial Cells
Holds neurons in place
Nourishes, insulates, and protects
Enables Neurons them to function
Communicate chemically with each other and other neurons
Dendrites
Receive information from other neurons and transmit electrical stimulation to the cell body
Part of a Neuron
Structure of a Neuron
Cell Body (Soma) - “Brain”
Axon - Output
Dendrites - Input
Cell Body (Soma)
The part of the neuron that keeps it alive and determines whether it will fire
“Brain”
Axon
Conducts impulses away from the cell body and transmits them to other neurons or to muscles or gland cells
Output
Part of a Neuron
Myelin Sheath
A fatty insulation that surrounds the axon of a neuron insulating it and speeding up the action potential
Action Potential
The brief change in electrical voltage across the membrane of a neuron that travels down the axon
Neuroplasticity
The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life
Neurogenesis
The production of new neurons from immature stem cells
Stem Cells
Immature cells that divide and mature
Responsible for learning and memory
Synapse
The site where transmission occurs between axon terminal (pre-synapic), synaptic cleft, and dendrite/cell body (post-synapic)
Neurotransmitter
Chemicals released by axon at the synapse that alters the activity of a receiving neuron
Synaptic Vesicles
Bundles of neurotransmitters released from the axon
Plasticity
The brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experience, by reorganizing or growing new neural connections
Serotonin
- Appetite
- Mood
- Sleep
A Neurotransmitter
Dopamine
- Pleasure/Reward
- Voluntary Movement
- High Level Mental Function
Closely related to Oxytocin
A Neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine
- Muscles Action (In CNS)
- Learning, Memory, and Attention (In PNS)
A Neurotransmitter
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 emotions
Norepinephrine - Noradrenaline
Epinephrine - Adrenaline
A Neurotransmitter
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
The second most common neurotransmitter
Inhibits excitatory responses
Balanced with Glutamate
A Neurotransmitter
Glutamate
The most common neurotransmitter.
The major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain
Important for neural communication, memory formation, learning, and regulation.
Responsible for focus fading after about 50 mins
Balance with GABA
A Neurotransmitter
Endorphines (Endogenous opioid peptides)
Affects neurons involved in pain reduction, pleasure, and memory
A Neurotransmitter
Re-Uptake
The reabsorption by a presynaptic neuron of a neurotransmitter substance recently released form it’s terminal bouton, thereby halting the action potential in the postsynapitc cell
Enzymatic Deactivation
A specific enzyme changes the structure of the neurotransmitter so it is not recognized by the receptor
MAOI
Inhibits Enzymatic Deactivation preventing neurotransmitters from being turned off
SSRI
Inhibits re-uptake leaving more neurotransmitters still active
Excitotoxicity
The pathological process by which nerve cells are damaged and killed by excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters such as serotonin and similar substances
Endocrine System
Hormones
The complete set of endocrine glands and associated structures in an organism considered as a functional unit
Endocrine Glands
Internal organs that produce hormones and release them into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemical substances, secreted by organs called glands, that affect the function of other organs
Melatonin
Regulates daily biological rhythms and promotes sleep
A Hormone
Oxytocin
Facilitates lactation and, with vasopressin, facilitates bonding at birth
A Hormone
Adrenal hormones
Involved in emotions and stress
3 Adrenal Hormones:
Cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine
A Hormone
Sex hormones
Regulate development and functioning of reproductive organs as well sexual characteristics in males and females
3 Sex Hormones:
Androgens (Testosterone), estrogens, and progesterone
Cortisol
The Stress hormone
Increases blood sugar, suppresses the immune system, and aid in the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrate
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A recording of neural activity detected by electrodes
Low - Spatial Resolution
High - Temporal Resolution (Best method)
Spatial Resolution
How good the method is at telling us where in the brain the activity occurred
Temporal Resolution
How good the method is at telling us when the the activity occurred in the brain
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
A method of stimulating brain cells, using a powerful magnetic field produced by a wire coil placed on a person’s head; can be used by researchers to temporarily inactive neural circuits and is also being used therapeutically
2 Settings:
- Activates area of the brain
- Inactivates area of the brain
Positron-Emission Tomography (PET scan)
A method for analyzing biochemical activity in the brain using injections of a glucose like substance containing a radioactive element
2-7 minute delay
Medium - Spatial Resolution
Low - Temporal Resolution
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A method for studying body and brain tissue that produces and detects vibrations in the atoms in the brain turning them into a picture
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
A form of MRI that gives rapid imaging of the brain and is often using in psychological research
6 second delay
High - Spatial Resolution
Medium - Temporal Resolution
Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
Split into the right and left hemispheres.
Frontal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Frontal Lobe
Conscious thought, decision making
Parietal Lobe
Sensory inputs
Sensation of touch
Occipital Lobe
Visual information
Also known as the Visual Cortex
Lobes at BACK of cerebral cortex
Temporal Lobe
Auditory input
Motor Cortex
Produces voluntary movement
In Frontal Lobe
Broca’s Area
Involved in speech production
In Frontal Lobe
Cerebrum
In charge of higher forms of thinking
Surrounded by the cerebral cortex
It is split into two hemispheres connected by a bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum
Cerebral Cortex
A collection of several thin layers of cells (gray matter) which is split into 4 lobes
Frontal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Prefrontal Cortex
The frontmost portion of the frontal lobe involved in anxiety as well as working memory, abstract thinking, social behaviors, and executive functions such as decision making and strategic planning
Orbitofrontal Cortex
The area of the prefrontal cortex in charge of impulse control
Somatosensory Cortex
Sensation of touch
In Parietal Lobe
Auditory Cortex
Processes hearing
In Temporal Lobe
Brain Stem
The part of the brain at the top of the spinal cord, consisting of the medulla and the pons
Pons
- Sleeping
- Waking
- Dreaming
Medulla
Automatic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate
Reticular Activating System
Arouses cortex and screens incoming information and produces neurotransmitters
Cerebellum
“Lesser Brain”
In charge of:
- Regulating movement and balance
- Remembers simple skills
- Acquired reflexes
- Understanding Words
Thalamus
A brain structure that relays all sensory messages, except smell, to the cerebral cortex
Olfactory bulb
A brain structure that processes smell sensory messages
Hypothalamus
“under” thalamus
4 F's: Feeding Fight Flight Sex
Controls the Autonomic NS
Sends signals to the Pituitary gland
Pituitary gland
The Master Gland
Releases hormones and regulates other glands
Controlled by the Hypothalamus
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA Axis)
Responsible for fight or flight
Designed to manager short term stress but causes problems with chronic stress
Adrenal Gland
Responsible for releasing hormones in response to stress
Sit at the top of the kidneys
Endocrine Glands
Amygdala
Responsible for regulation of emotion and emotional response
Highly sensitive to faces
Responsible for:
Arousal
Regulation of emotion
Initial emotional responses to sensory information
Mental Illnesses in the Amygdala
Anxiety Disorders
Major Depression
Autism
Hippocampus
Involved in
- Storage of new information in memory
- Comparing sensory information to previous knowledge
Enables us to form spatial memories for navigating the environment
Basal Ganglia
Involved in coordination of movement such as muscle memory or procedural learning
3 Areas:
Caudate
Putamen
Globus Pallidus
Nucleus Accembens
The pleasure/reward center for the brain that has dopamine receptors
Responsible for learning
Responsible for addiction
Sensory Nerves
Carry messages from muscles, glands, and internal organs
Motor Nerves
Carry messages to muscles, glands, and internal organs
Synaptic Cleft
A minuscule space that separates neurons
Receptor sites
Special molecules in the membrane of the receiving neuron’s dendrites
Sensory Inputs
Taste, sound, smell, colors, pressure of touch, state of internal organs, etc.
