unit 1 aos 1 the role of the brain in mental processes and behaviour Flashcards
the central nervous system CNS (4 points)
main function - process info received from sensory systems and other body parts and activate appropriate responses.
- consists of the brain and spinal cord
- brain is the centre for cognition, processing and responding
- spinal cord is a route for messages to and from the brain
the peripheral nervous system PNS (x3)
responsible for carrying information to and from the CNS
- made up of every nerve in the body outside of the CNS.
- divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
the somatic nervous system SNS
Network of nerves that
- carry sensory information to the CNS
- motor information from the CNS.
controls the skeletal muscles attached to our bones, which produce observable bodily movement
sensory messages
transmit information about the body’s sensations, to the CNS so as it can coordinate a response.
motor messages
transmitted from the brain (via the spinal cord) to the skeletal muscles, giving instructions on how to move.
how is a response coordinated? 4 steps
1 body registers something,
2 SNS sends sensory messages about these sensations to the CNS
3 CNS processes this information and coordinates a response if necessary.
4 CNS sends a motor message to the skeletal muscles through SNS, telling them to respond
autonomic nervous system ANS
responsible for initiating the responses of the body’s visceral muscles, organs, and glands, such as the heart, stomach, and liver.
mostly self-regulating
ANS is further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic
sympathetic nervous system
(branch of ANS) FIGHT OR FLIGHT
responsible for activating the body’s visceral organs, muscles and glands in order to prepare the body for dealing with high levels of activity, such as exercise or escaping a threat.
examples of responses - heart rate increase, blood flow increases, dilates pupils
parasympathetic nervous system
(a branch of the ANS) responsible for returning the body to and maintaining homeostasis of the body after heightened arousal of sympathetic response.
examples of responses - constricts pupils, heart rate decreases, blood flow is regular
homeostasis
an equilibrium in the body where all systems are at a stable level of functioning
the role of a neuron
responsible for transmitting, receiving, and processing information in the form of neuronal messages.
form of neuronal messages
sent electrochemically
chemically between neurons
electrically throughout a single neuron
types of neurons
sensory neurons - communicate info about body’s sensations
motor neurons - communicate info about how to move
interneurons - function to relay neuronal messages between motor and sensory neurons (because motor and sensory don’t communicate with eachother)
synaptic gap
the space between two neurons into which a neuronal message is transmitted
dendrites
are the bushy branches at the receiving end of a neuron
axon
long stick-like part of the neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body of the neuron to the sending end
myelin sheath
the fat and protein substance that surrounds, insulates and protects the axon of a neuron
axon terminals
are at the sending end of the neuron
they are responsible for the release of the neuronal message into the synapse
glial cells (x5)
a specialised cell that protects and supports neurons and their functioning • provides nutrients and oxygen • repair neurons • insulate neurons • produce myelin • aid neurons in neurotransmission.
hindbrain
an area at the base of the brain, including the medulla and pons (in the brain stem) and the cerebellum
responsible for some of our most fundamental functions, such as autonomic regulation of breathing and basic movement
cerebellum
the cerebellum is a ball-of-wool-like structure located at the back and base of the brain.
- posture and balance
- muscle movement
- procedures and sequences