Psychology Unit 3/4 Exam Flashcards
define CNS
a major division of
the nervous system
comprising the brain
and spinal cord, which
receives neural messages
from and transmits
neural messages to the
peripheral nervous system
define brain
a complex organ
contained within the skull
that coordinates mental
processes and behaviour,
and regulates bodily
activity
define spinal cord
a cable of
nerve tissue that extends
from the brain, connecting
it to the peripheral
nervous system
define PNS
divisons of PNS
a cable of
nerve tissue that extends
from the brain, connecting
it to the peripheral
nervous system
- SNS
- ANS
define SNS
a division of the peripheral
nervous system that
transmits neural messages
related to voluntary motor
movement
define ANS
a division of
the peripheral nervous
system that regulates
visceral muscles, organs,
and glands, and transmits
neural messages to the
central nervous system
about their activity
2 divisons of ANS
parasympathetic - a division of the
autonomic nervous system
that maintains the optimal
and balanced functioning
of visceral muscles,
organs, and glands
sympathetic - a division of
the autonomic nervous
system that activates
visceral muscles, organs,
and glands, preparing
the body to respond to a
threat or stressor
define neuron and the 3 types
a nerve cell that
receives and transmits
neural information
- motor (efferent)
- sensory (afferent)
- interneurons
define concious response
a deliberate and voluntary
action that is initiated by
the brain and performed
intentionally by the body
define sensory receptors
a nerve ending that
detects internal sensations
in the body and external
sensations from the
environment
explain the 5 steps of concious response
define unconscious response
an automatic and
involuntary action that
is performed without
conscious awareness in
response to internal and
external sensory stimuli
define spinal reflex
an unconscious response
to sensory stimuli that is
initiated by interneurons
in the spinal cord
independently of the brain
