Psych/Soc Behavior and Biology (1) Flashcards
Afferent nerves
(sensory nerves) nerves that relay sensory information from the sensory receptors by ascending the spinal cord
Autonomic nervous system
governs automatic/involuntary movements and innervates the digestive system, various glands and smooth muscle
Brainstem (parts of the brain the make up)
hindbrain and midbrain
Central Nervous System (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
Corpus callosum
bundle of nerve fibers that connect the right and left hemispheres of the cerebral cortex
Dorsal roots
(back-facing) collection of afferent (sensory) nerve fibers
Efferent nerves
(motor nerves) nerves that descend the spinal cord and relay motor information or commands
Grasping reflex
neonatal reflex; placing an object in an infant’s hand causes them to close their hand around the object
Peripheral Nervous System
all nervous tissue excluding the brain and the spinal cord; includes the somatic and autonomic nervous systems
Neonatal reflexes
innate, normal and expected reflexes in response to stimuli; appears as a newborn and gradually disappears as an infant ages
Neurotransmitters
chemical signals that transmit messages from a neuron in the brain to a target cell
Parasympathetic nervous system
subdivision of the autonomic nervous system; “rest-and-digest”; designed to conserve energy
Rooting reflex
neonatal reflex where the infant turns their head in response to touching of the cheek; thought of as an evolutionary reflex related to suckling
Somatic nervous system
controls voluntary movement; innervates skeletal muscle; subdivision of the peripheral nervous system
Suckling reflex
neonatal reflex where an infant sucks on an object placed in their mouth
