PSYCH SAC 1 Flashcards
BRAIN
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
3 main functions of nervous system
recieve, process and coordinate a response to information
central nervous system
brain, spinal cord: controls internal environment to maintain homeostasis, programs spinal reflexes, memory and learning, voluntary control of movement
peripheral nervous system
entire network of nerves located outside the central nervous system;
carries information to and from the central nervous system (via its somatic and autonomic subdivisions) responsible for sending messages to the body and muscles from the CNS
autonomic nervous system (PNS)
a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central
nervous system to the body’s internal organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about their
activities
somatic nervous system (PNS)
a sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory
information to the central nervous system and motor information from it. they also carry commands from your brain to your muscles so you can move around
sympathetic nervous system (ANS)
a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system; activates internal
muscles, organs and glands to prepare for vigorous activity or to deal with a stressor, fear stimulus,
threat or emergency; compare with parasympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system (ANS)
a sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that calms or
restores the body to its normal state of functioning after the need for sympathetic nervous system
activation has passed; compare with sympathetic nervous system
concious response
a reaction to a sensory stimulus that involves awareness; usually voluntary, goaldirected and with some degree of control over it; compare with unconscious response
unconcious response
a reaction to a sensory stimulus that does not involve awareness; involuntary, unintentional, automatic and we cannot ordinarily control its occurrence; compare with conscious
response
efferent information
conducted or conducting outwards or away from something (EXITING)
afferent information
conducting or conducted inwards or towards something (ARRIVING)
synapse
small pocket of space between two cells, where they can pass messages to communicate.
synaptic gap
the tiny space between the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron; also called synaptic cleft
axon terminal
the button-like endings of axons through which axons make synaptic contacts with other nerve cells or with effector cells. at the axon terminal, synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters are docked.
pre-synaptic neuron
transmits the signal toward a synapse
post-synaptic neuron
adds together, or integrates, all of the excitatory and inhibitory inputs it receives and “decides” whether to fire an action potential
enteric nervous system
a sub-division of the autonomic nervous system embedded within the walls of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract and dedicated to its functioning. regulates gastric acid secretion, changes in local blood flow, interacts with the immune system in the gut.
organs in the enteric nervous system
esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas, rectum
dopamine
a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator with multiple functions depending on where it acts; functions include roles in coordinating movement, learning and behaviours that are rewarding
seretonin syndrome
an excessive amount of serotonin may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life threatening in some people. Serotonin syndrome is a collection of symptoms that includes fever, elevated heart rate, restlessness, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, delirium and seizures.