u3 aos1 - nervous system Flashcards
Central nervous system
comprised of the brain and spinal cord that receives information from the peripheral nervous system and sends motor information to the PNS
brain
a complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates mental processes and behaviour and regulates bodily activity
spinal cord
a cable of tissue that extends from the brain, connecting it to the PNS
peripheral nervous system
a major division of the nervous system comprising of every neuron in the body outside the CNS
somatic nervous system
network of neutrons within the body that transmit information from receptor sites to CNS, and then carry information to the muscles to initiate voluntary movement
autonomic nervous system
a division of the PNS that regulates visceral muscles, organs and glans, and transmits neural messages to the CNS about their activity
sympathetic nervous system
activates visceral muscles, organs and glands, preparing the body to respond to a threat/stressor, preparing the body for vigorous activity
parasympathetic nervous system
maintains the optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs and glands while maintaining homeostasis
conscious response
a deliberate and voluntary action to a sensory stimulus involving awareness
unconscious response
automatic and involuntary actions that occur without awareness
spinal reflex
an unconscious, involuntary and automatically occurring response to sensory stimuli without the involvement of the brain
neuron
the basic building blocks of the nervous system to communicate information around the body
sensory neurons
transmit information from the body to the brain
motor neurons
transmit information from the brain to the body
interneurons
communicate between sensory and motor neurons
synaptic transmission
the chemical conveyance of neural information between two neurons across a neural synapse
neurotransmitters
chemical molecules that have an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons
excitatory effect
when the neurotransmitter increases the likelihood of the post synaptic neuron firing an action potential
inhibitory effect
when the neurotransmitter decreases the likelihood of the post synaptic neuron firing an action potential
neuromodulators
a chemical that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons
dopamine
neuromodulator primarily responsible for voluntary motor movement and the experiences of pleasure and reward-based learning, having both an excitatory and inhibitory effect on the post synaptic neuron.
serotonin
neuromodulator primarily responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep and has inhibitory effects on the post synaptic neuron.
synaptic plasticity
the ability of the synaptic connections to change overtime in response to activity or experience
sprouting
a neurons ability to develop new branches or extensions on the dendrites or axons
rerouting
a neurons ability that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron
pruning
the elimination of underused synaptic connections that are not adequately activated
long-term potentiation (LTP)
long lasting and experience-dependant strengthening of synaptic connections that are regularly coactivated
long-term depression (LTD)
long lasting weakening in the strength of synaptic connections which reduces synaptic efficiency due to repeated low-level stimulation of the synaptic connections
GABA
main inhibitory neurotransmitter playing a role in regulating post synaptic activation in neural pathways, preventing the overexcitation of neurons, which in turn reduces and regulates anxiety by inhibiting excitatory neural signals contributing to anxiety.
glutamate
the main excitatory neurotransmitter playing a role in learning and memory. forms and strengthens synaptic connections between neurons that are activated during learning, enabling synaptic plasticity.
