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y12 psych > Unit 3 AOS 1 > Flashcards

Unit 3 AOS 1 Flashcards

How does the nervous system enable psychological functioning?

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1
Q

List the 2 major divisions of the nervous system

A

CNS (Central nervous system) + PNS (peripheral nervous system)

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2
Q

What is the function of the CNS?

A

process info from internal & external environment & formulates responses, receives sensory info -> PNS, sends motor info from PNS

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3
Q

What is the structure of the CNS and what are they each responsible for?

A

Brain
- regulates & guides the ns
- responsible for higher order functions (e.g. thinking) & vital body functions (e.g. breathing)

spinal cord
- route between brain and body
- afferent & efferent tracts

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4
Q

What is the function of the PNS?

A

Transmits neural msgs between CNS and body

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5
Q

What is the structure of the PNS (+ 2 subdivisions) and what are they responsible for?

A

made up of all the neurons outside of brain and spinal cord

Somatic NS
- transmits neural info relating to voluntary motor movement
- afferent & efferent tracts

Autonomic NS
- regulates visceral (self-regulating & connected to skeleton) MOG (muslces organs and glands)
- transmits info on MOG activity to CNS

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6
Q

What are the 2 subdivisions of the ANS and what are they responsible for?

A

Sympathetic NS
- activates visceral MOG in response to stressor
- e.g. fight flight freeze response

Parasympathetic NS
- counterbalances SNS
- maintains optimal balance of visceral MOG

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7
Q

Define neuron

A

a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural info

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8
Q

List the 2 types of neurons and their function

A

Sensory (afferent)
- transmit neural msgs ab bodily sensations from PNS to CNS

Motor (efferent)
- transmit neural msgs on motor movement from CNS to PNS

Interneurons
- transfer neural msgs between sensory & motor neurons

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9
Q

What is a conscious response?

A

deliberate, voluntary brain initiated by brain (CNS) & performed by body (PNS)

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10
Q

List the step-by-step process for a conscious response

A

sensory receptors detect sensory stimulus -> sensory neural message transmitted via afferent pathways -> SNS -> brain -> spinal cord -> brain processes sensory info (coordinate & initiates motor response) -> motor neural msg trasmitted via efferent pathways -> spinal cord -> SNS -> skeletal muscles where motor movement is carried out

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11
Q

What is an unconscious response?

A

automatic & involuntary actions performed by body independently of brain

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12
Q

What are the 2 types of unconscious responses & explain them

A

Physiological
- sympathetic response (increased heart rate, adrenaline secretion, breathing rate, glucose for energy, pupils dilating 4 more light w better vision & suppressed bodily functions like thirst, digestion,)
- parasympathetic response (e.g. heart rate returning to normal)

Spinal reflex
- automatic response initiated by spinal cord neurons independently of brain
- occurs during pain and survival

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13
Q

describe the step by step process for a spinal reflex

A

sensory receptors detect harmful sensory stimulus -> sensory neural message is transmitted via afferent pathways in the SNS -> spinal cord -> interneuron in spinal cord immediately relays sensory signal from sensory neuron -> motor neuron initiating motor response -> motor msg transmitted by motor neurons in SNS -> skeletal muscles that carry out unconscious motor response -> sensory msgs travels via afferent tracts in the spinal cord -> brain, then registeres sensation that triggered spinal reflex

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14
Q

define the reflex arc

A

path along which the neural signal is transmitted as poart of spinal reflex

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15
Q

What energy do transmissions between neurons (presynaptic -> postsynaptic) use?

A

Chemical energy

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16
Q

What energy do transmissions within neurons use?

A

Electrical energy

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17
Q

List the structure of a neuron & define each structure

A

Dendrite
- receives incoming neural messages

Soma
- body of the neuron, containing nucleus w genetic material for neuron

Axon
- pathway which neural message travels down

Myelin sheath
- fatty tissue encasing axon to aid in transmission speed

Axon terminals
- exit pathways for neural msgs to transmit to next neuron

Terminal buttons/synaptic knobs
- release neurotransmitters to postsynaptic neuron for communication purposes

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18
Q

What is a presynaptic neuron?

A

neuron releasing neurochemicals into neural synapse

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18
Q

What is a postsynaptic neuron?

A

neuron receiving neurochemicals from neural synapse

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19
Q

What is a neural synapse?

A

region containing axon terminals of presynaptic neuron, synaptic gap & dendrites of postsynaptic neuron

20
Q

Explain what neurochemicals are & list the 2 types

A
  • chemical substance transmitting neural info within NS
  • produced in presynaptic neuron’s axon terminals
  • released from presynaptic neuron’s axon terminals into synaptic gap
  • either trigger/inhibit response on postsynaptic neuron
  • bind to receptor sites on dendrites of postsynaptic neuron

Neurotransmitters & neuromodulators

20
Q

Explain the lock & key analogy

A

neurochemicals are the key and receptor sites are the lock, since specific keys only work on specific locks, therefore specific neurochemicals can only bind on corresponding receptor sites to activate response

21
Q

Explain what neurotransmitters are & the 2 types (give an example for each of the types & describe)

A

chemical molecule that effects 1/2 postsynaptic neurons

  • Glutamate (excitatory): important role in learning & memory thru strengthening synaptic connections in neurons repeatedly activated during learning, causing memories for what has been learnt. Enables synaptic plasticity
  • GABA (inhibitory): prevents overexcitation of neurons thru regulating activation of postsynaptic neurons, can prevent seizures, reduce anxiety
22
Q

Define what an action potential is

A

electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron, enhancing neural transmission thru activating postsynaptic neurons, making it more likely for the effect to happen

23
Q

Explain what neuromodulators are & list 2 examples

A
  • chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons (bigger version of neurotransmitters)

Serotonin (inhibitory) and Dopamine (inhibitory & exhibitory)

24
Q

Identify & describe the 2 types of effects of neurochemicals

A

Inhibitory effect
- decreases the likelihood of postsynaptic neuron firing action potential

Excitatory effect
- increases likelihood of postynaptic neuron firing an action potential

25
Q

Describe the function of the neuromodulator serotonin (3 main roles)

A
  • inhibitory effect
  • produced in brainstem & travels to almost all of cerebellum

3 main roles:
Mood
- high levels = improved
- balanced = calm, focus, stable, happy
- low = devastating effect on mood regulation (e.g. insomnia, anxiety)
Sleep
- low levels = disrupted circadian rhythm, restlessness & wakefulness @ wrong times
Aggression/Impulsivity
- low levels = more likely 2 be impulsive, choose immediate reward over delayed potentially larger reward
- low levels = affected communication between structures regulating emotions
- higher levels = reduced impulsivity, waiting longer for rewards

26
Q

Describe the function of the neuromodulator dopamine (3 main roles)

A
  • involved in drive, motivation & motor movement
  • both inhibitory & excitatory

3 main roles
Thirst & drinking
- feelings of pleasure released when drinking liquid, encouraging repeat
Hunger & eating
- feelings of pleasure released when eating, increasing chances of eating food next time hungry
- brain receives signals from hormones indicating hunger
Addiction
- associated w unhealthy behaviours (e.g. gambling, drinking, smoking)
- caused from inability from brain to produce dopamine naturally without behaviour/substance individual is addicted to

27
Q

Define neuroplasticity & list the 2 types

A

Brain’s ability to physically change in response to experience

2 types:
Developmental
- occurring naturally across lifespan
- certain critical periods enable greater developmental plasticity
Adaptive
- occurs as result of brain damage or trauma
- utilising critical periods in developmental plasticity enables greater adaptive plasticity

28
Q

Define synaptic plasticity

A

the ability of synaptic connections to change over time in response to activity or experience

29
Q

List & explain the 3 mechanisms of synaptic plasticity

A

Sprouting
- ability of dendrites/axons to develop new extensions/brances

Rerouting
- ability of neuron attached to damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connections w undamaged neuron

Pruning
- elimination of less activated synaptic connections

30
Q

List the 2 processes that synaptic plasticity is fundamental for, and list the 2 forms that underlie it

A

Fundamental for learning & memory

2 forms underlying it
LTP (long term potentiation) & LTD (long term depression

31
Q

Define learning

A

process of acquiring knowledge, skills, behaviours thru experience

32
Q

define memory

A

process of encoding, storing, retrieving info previously encountered

33
Q

Explain what LTD (long term depression) is & list its structural changes

A
  • long lasting & experience-dependent weakening of less activated synaptic connections
  • decreases efficiency of synaptic transmission on that neural pathway
  • involves pruning

Structural changes:
- decreased no. of receptor sites on dendrites of postsynaptic neuron
- decreased no. of dendrites on postsynaptic neuron
- decreased no. of synaptic connections between neurons

34
Q

Explain what LTP (long term potentiation) is & list its structural changes

A
  • long lasting & experience-dependent strengthening of regularly activated synaptic connections to increase efficiency of synaptic transmissions on that neural pathway
  • involves sprouting

Structural changes:
- increased no. of receptor sites on dendrites of postsynaptic neuron
- bushier dendrites on postsynaptic neuron
- increased no. of synaptic connections

35
Q

Define stress

A

psychological & physiological reaction occurring when an individual encounters something of significance that demands attention/efforts to cope

36
Q

Define stressor & the 2 different types

A

external/internal stressor prompting stress response

Internal:
- stimulus from within person’s body
- e.g. attitude, low self-esteem, nervous system dysfunction
- cognitive & biological processes

External
- Stimulus from outside a person’s body that prompts stress response
- e.g. test/exam, meeting new people, arguments w ppl
- environmental stimuli

37
Q

List & explain the 2 psychological stress responses

A

Distress
- characterized by a negative psychological state
- e.g. losing keys to the car

Eustress
- characterized by a positive psychological state
- e.g. offered a place at uni, tho stressful it results in positivity, like feeling motivated and excited for personal growth

38
Q

Define acute stress

A

characterized by intense psychological & physiological symptoms that are brief in duration

39
Q

Define chronic stress

A

form of stress that endures for several months or longer

40
Q

Identify the 2 physiological stress responses

A

fight/flight/freeze response to acute stress & role of cortisol

41
Q

Explain the fight-flight-freeze response to stress

A

involuntary & automatic response to threat, involving arousal of sympathetic NS (e.g. adrenaline production)

Fight:
- involves confronting stressor

Flight:
- involves fleeing from stressor

Freeze:
- body’s immobility and shock in response to stressor

42
Q

Explain the role of cortisol as a stress response & define cortisol

A

Cortisol: hormone released in times of stress to aid body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal

Role:
* increasing blood sugar levels
* improving metabolism
* energising the body
* reducing inflammation

43
Q

What are the negative effects of a prolonged period of stress due to cortisol

A
  • immunosuppression
  • weakens immune system
44
Q

what is the enteric nervous system a further division of

A

autonomic nervous system

45
Q

what is the function of the vagus nerve

A

relays msgs between the gut and brain as part of the gut-brain axis

46
Q

‘define the flight fight freeze response

A

involuntary & automatic response to a stressful stimuli involving fleeing from it, confronting it or freezing in face of it

47
Q
A

y12 psych (6 decks)

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