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Psychology > The Brain and Nervous System > Flashcards

The Brain and Nervous System Flashcards

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1
Q

Neurons

A

The basic building blocks of the nervous system
Generate electricity which creates nerve impulses
Releases chemicals that facilitate communication

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2
Q

DENDRITES

A

are branch-like extensions that receive inputs from other cells

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3
Q

SOMA

A

CELL BODY

genetic info in the nucleus, nucleus determines how the neuron will manipulate input from dendrites

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4
Q

AXON

A

controls the exchange of chemical substances in and out of the cell and transmits info from the nucleus to other neurons.

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5
Q

MYELIN SHEATH

A

insulates the axon from stimuli that may interfere with transmitting nerve impulses

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6
Q

GLIAL CELLS

A

support cells, hold neurons in place, absorb toxins, make nutrients

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7
Q

Steps in firing neurons

A

Neuron has an electric RESTING POTENTIAL with a negative charge inside the membrane and a positive charge outside

ACTION POTENTIAL occurs when the neuron is stimulated

Original ionic balance restored after firing, neuron rests

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8
Q

DEPOLARISATION

A

Shift in electrical charge distribution within a cell

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9
Q

ABSOLUTE REFRACTORY PERIOD

A

The neuron cannot fire until regains its natural resting charge

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10
Q

GRADED POTENTIALS

A

Change to the resting potential that does not reach the threshold. A combination of graded potentials may trigger an action potential

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11
Q

HOW NEURONS COMMUNICATE

A

Communicate through the SYNAPTIC SPACE (space between)

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12
Q

NEUROTRANSMITTERS and its types

A

Chemical substances that carry messages across synaptic space

EXCITATORY neurotransmitters excite the neuron and cause an action potential to fire

INHIBITORY neurotransmitters inhibit the neuron and prevent firing

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13
Q

TYPES OF NEURONS

A

SENSORY NEURONS: carry messages from sensory organs to the brain (out to in)

MOTOR NEURONS: transmits impulses from the brain to organs/ muscles (in to out)

INTERNEURONS: perform connective and associative functions (linking neurons together)

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14
Q

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)

A

Made of two subdivisions: the somatic and the autonomic nervous systems

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15
Q

THE SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

A

Allows us to sense and respond to the environment

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16
Q

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

A

Consists of a SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM & PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

17
Q

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

A

activates the body in response to threats; activates the organism.

18
Q

PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

A

calms down the body and maintains energy

19
Q

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)

A

Connect PNS with the brain

20
Q

Hindbrain
Brain stem
cerebellum

A

BRAIN STEM supports vital life functions

  • MEDULLA: heart rate, respiration, vasomotor, blood pressure, vomiting. Link spine and brain
  • PONS: carries nerve impulses between the higher and lower nervous system, regulates sleep

CEREBELLUM: coordination, learning, memory

RETICULAR FORMATION: consciousness and arousal

21
Q

Midbrain
tectum
tegmentum

A

TECTUM: vision and hearing
TEGMENTUM: movement and arousal

22
Q

Forebrain
cerebrum
cerebral cortex
limbic system

A

CEREBRUM major structure of the forebrain
THALAMUS organises inputs
HYPOTHALAMUS motivation, emotion, sexual behaviour, temperature regulation, eating, drinking, and aggression.
LIMBIC SYSTEM coordinates behaviours to satisfy motivation, emotion, and reward/punishment.
- HIPPOCAMPUS: form and retrieve memories.
- AMYGDALA: emotional response patterns
BASAL GANGLIA: structures involved in movement and ‘autonomic’ responses/judgements
CEREBRAL CORTEX: unmyelinated cells that form the outer layer. Constructs complex voluntary movements for activities. Allows symbolic thinking
MOTOR CORTEX controls muscles for voluntary movement
SENSORY CORTEX input from sensory receptors

23
Q

Lobes

A

OCCIPITAL LOBE: vision

PARIETAL LOBE: the sense of touch, perception of movement and objects in space

TEMPORAL LOBE: hearing language, objects in sight

FRONTAL LOBE

24
Q

HEMISPHERIC LATERALISATION

A

Greater localisation of function in one hemisphere

LEFT
Verbal, speech, math, logic
More active when feeling positive emotions

RIGHT
Spatial relations, faces, mental imagery, musical and artistic abilities
More active when feeling negative emotions

25
Q

Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area

A

Broca’s Area speech formation

Wernicke’s Area speech understanding

26
Q

FRONTAL LOBE

A

Movement, attention, planning, social skills, abstract thinking, memory, personality
PREFRONTAL CORTEX

27
Q

PREFRONTAL CORTEX

A

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS: mental abilities that allow direct behaviour in an adaptive fashion
Damage results in an inability to understand consequences

Psychology (10 decks)

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