SEMESTER 2 EXAM REVISION: Flashcards
WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?
the nervous system is a network of cells that enables the ability for the brain to receive information to coordinate a response.
(receives info in and out of body)
WHAT ARE THE 3 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE NS?
- receives information
- process information
- coordinates a response (to informaion)
EXAMPLE OF RECEIVE, PROCESS AND RESPOND?
Process: Brain – ‘It is really hot outside today, I regret wearing a jumper on my walk to the train station! I am going to take my jumper off.”
Respond: Person takes jumper off – is no longer hot!
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM?
- process information received through sensory systems and other parts of the body to activate actions
-located in middle of the body - consist of brain and spinal cord
WHAT IS THE BRAIN?
network of cells that processes information receieved from nerves
WHAT IS THE SPINAL CORD?
- long, thin bundle of nerve tissue that extends from brain to lower back
2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE SPINAL CORD?
- receives motor information to the brain and sends it to parts of the body to control glands, muscles etc.
- receives sensory information and sends to the brain for processing
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM?
entire network of nerves located outside the CNS that transmits information to and from CNS
TWO DIVISIONS OF PERIPHERAL NS?
SOMATIC NS: VOLUNTARY MOVEMENT
AUTONOMIC NS: INVOLUNRARY MOVEMENT
SOMATIC NS (peripheral ns)
carries sensory information to the CNS and motor information from the CNS
sensory information is recieved at sensory receptor sites in the body and carried along sensory neural pathways.
AUTONOMIC NS (peripheral ns)
- network of nerves that carries messages between the CNS, heart, lungs. glands etc
- ANS regulates, or controls
- has 3 divisions = parasympathetic, sympathetic and enteric
SYMPATHETIC NS
Arouses the body when experiencing extreme emotions, for e.g.
flight or fight response, increase HR, dilated eyes, sweating and hotness
PARASYSTEMATIC NS
Calms or restores the body to its normal state of functioning.
Returns body to homeostasis.
relaxing state, normal HR, eyes constrict, cooler
(returns body back to homeostasis).
ENTERIC NS?
- branch of autonomic ns
- the ENS controls the activity of the gastrointestinal tract or gut
- located stomach
VAGUS NERVE?
one of your body’s longest nerves extending from brain to gut.
THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS?
The gut is often referred to as a 2nd brain.
THE MICROBIOME?
a group of living organisms found as part of your microbiota good bacteria that we want from your body
LOCK AND KEY PROCESS?
- a neurotransmitters shape must precisely match the distinct shape of the receptor site on the post synaptic neuron’s dendrites in order to bind to its receptors.
- the binding unlocks the post synaptic neuron’s response so that the neurotransmitters causes changes to the neuron
- resulting to excitatory or inhibitory effect
EXCITATORY EFFECT?
- neurotransmitters with excitatory effects will activate postsynaptic neurons to perform its actions
INHIBITORY EFFECT?
- neurotransmitters with inhibitory effects will block/prevent post-synaptic neurons from firing (performing its actions).
GLUTAMATE?
- enhances information transmission by making postsynaptic neuron more likely to fire
- primary excitatory neurotransmitters in the CNS
- involves in learning, memory and movement
GAMA-AMINO BUTYRIC ACID (GABA)?
- primary inhibitory neurotransmitters in the CNS
- works throughout the brain to make the post-synaptic neurons less likely to fire
WHAT IS NEUROMODULATOR?
neuromodulator is a chemical messenger that affects a diverse population of neurons
WHAT DO NEUROMODULATORS DO?
- influence effects on other chemical messengers
- affect a large number of neurons at the same time
DOPAMINE AS A NEUROMODULATOR?
heavily involved in our emotions to seek for rewards
- impacts on range of functions
SEROTONIN AS A NEUROMODULATOR?
plays a role in ‘moderating’ our mood.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND NEUROMODULATORS SIMILARITIES?
- both are chemical substances
- impact on our behavior and functioning
NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND NEUROMODULATORS DIFFERENCES?
neurotransmitters:
- rapid effect, lasts a short period of time
- affects on one-two post-synaptic targets
neuromodulators:
- slow but long lasting effects
- affects on a group of post-synaptic targets
WHAT ARE THE 3 TYPES OS NEURONS?
Sensory neuron: found primarily in PNS
Interneurons: found primarily in only the CNS
Motor neurons: found primarily in PNS
SENSORY NEURONS?
- also called afferent neurons (effect)
- receive and carry sensory information
- this information is received from both our external and internal environment then transmitted to the CNS
MOTOR NEURONS?
- also called efferent neurons (exit)
- carry messages from the CNS to the cells in skeletal muscles to stimulate activity
- enable muscles so we can move, walk or speak
INTERNEURONS?
- act as a link between sensory and motor neurons, relaying information from one to the other
Neural Plasticity?
- neural plasticity is the ability of the brain’s function to be changed by experiences throughout the lifespan
LONG-TERM PONTENTIATION? (LTP)
- refers to long-lasting strengthening of synaptic connections
LONG-TERM DEPRESSION? (LTD)
- opposite of LTP
- long-lasting decrease in the strength of synaptic transmission
