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Psychology > Unit 3 AOS 1: How does the nervous system enable psychological functioning > Flashcards

Unit 3 AOS 1: How does the nervous system enable psychological functioning Flashcards

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1
Q

Nervous System

A

Consists of
- Central Nervous system
- Peripheral Nervous system

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2
Q

CNS function

A

the primary function is to process information received from internal and external environments and to activate appropriate responses.
Consists of
- Brain and Spinal cord

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3
Q

Brain function

A

The brain Receives and analyses sensory information, responding by controlling all bodily actions and functions.
Many brain functions involve the activation of neural pathways that link different brain areas and structures.

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4
Q

What is a neural pathway?

A

a neural pathway comprises of one or more circuits of interconnected neurons that form a communication network

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5
Q

spinal cord

A

the spinal cord is long thin bundles of nerve fibres, it is encased in a series of bones called vertebrae. The spinal cord links the brain and parts of the body below the neck.

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6
Q

How does the spinal cord receive sensory information

A

sensory information is received from the body (via the peripheral nervous system) and the send these messages to the brain (afferent)

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7
Q

How does the spinal cord receive motor information

A

Motor information is received from the brain, where it is then sent (efferent) to relevant parts of the body (via the peripheral system) so that appropriate actions can be taken

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8
Q

if spinal cord is injured

A

if spinal cord is injured the connection to the brain can be severed meaning we can lose both sensory input and control of our body

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9
Q

how does a spinal reflex work?

A

Sensory receptors send messages to spinal cord which initials a neural message. the spinal cord receives the message and connects to an interneuron or motor neuron. Then an instant response takes place (movement).

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10
Q

unconscious behaviours

A

spinal reflexes

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11
Q

conscious behaviours

A

voluntary behaviours

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12
Q

Peripheral Nervous system

A

consists of the nerves located outside of the CNS
also has two branches
- Somatic nervous system
- Autonomic nervous system

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13
Q

PNS function

A
  • Carries information to the cns from the body’s sensory organs (external environment)
  • carries information away from the CNS to the bodys muscles, organs and glands
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14
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

is a sub division of the PNS. Is a network of nerves that carry sensory information to the CNS and motor information away from the CNS

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15
Q

Sensory information

A

sensory information is received at sensory receptor sites (muscles, skin joints and tendons) and carried along sensory neural pathways by sensory neurons (afferent pathway)

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16
Q

Motor Information

A

motor information is carried away from the CNS through motor neural pathways to the skeletal muscles which responds to the messages from the CNS which initiate movement

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17
Q

Autonomic consists of

A

is a subdivision of the PNS and consists of
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
- Enteric

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18
Q

Autonomic function

A

connects the CNS to the body’s internal organs and glands. The ANS is a self regulating system and occurs without conscious effort and is not under voluntary control. Maintains our survival

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19
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

when the body comes into contact with a threat the body enhances our needs for survival by providing a response in a split second also known as the fight/flight/ freeze response

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20
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

in times of minimal stress and absence of threat the Parasympathetic nervous system helps maintaining internal environment in a state of homeostasis.

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21
Q

how the parasympathetic and sympathetic act together?

A

the parasympathetic system counter balances the sympathetic system.
when the sympathetic has passed the parasympathetic system takes over and calms thes body down

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22
Q

Enteric Nervous System

A

The ENS has a two way connection to the CNS, they work together to control the digestive system
- can function independently without the brain, can carry out some digestive processes without communicating with the brain. ENS is self regulating

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23
Q

Neurons

A

neurons are basic building blocks of the NS, specialized to communicate info around the body

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24
Q

3 types of neurons

A

Sensory (afferent) neurons - body to brain

Motor (efferent) neurons - brain to skeletal muscles

Interneurons - communicate and join sensory and motor neurons

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25
Q

neural message

A

= action potential

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26
Q

dendrite

A

recieves incoming neural messages

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27
Q

soma

A

the body of the neuron, containing the nucleus with the genetic material for the neuron

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28
Q

axon

A

the pathway down which the neural message travels

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29
Q

myelin sheath

A

fatty tissue that encases the axon to aid in speed of transmission

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30
Q

axon terminal

A

exit pathways for neural messages to make their way to the next neuron

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31
Q

terminal buttons

A

releases chemical substance known as neurotransmitter to a receiving neuron for communication purposes, also known as synaptic knobs

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32
Q

neurotransmitters

A

a chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, glands.

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33
Q

neural communication

A

neurons communicate via a process called neurotransmission which uses electrochemical energy

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34
Q

process of neural transmission

A

1) a neural impulse (electrical energy) runs from the dendrite down the axons to the axon terminal

2) the terminal button (synaptic knobs) release a chemical substance (neurotransmitter)

3) the neurotransmitter crosses the synapse and BINDS to a receptor site (lock and key) then the message has occurred.

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35
Q

what is a presynaptic neuron

A

releases neurotransmitters from vesicles

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36
Q

what is a synaptic gap

A

where neurons communicate via electrical charge

37
Q

receptor site

A

neurotransmitter are stored

38
Q

post synaptic neuron

A

reuptake of neurotransmitters occur

39
Q

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

A

increase the likelihood that neuron will fire an action potential ACTIVATION

40
Q

example of excitatory neurotransmitter

A

Glutamate
is an excitatory nt that sends signals to cells for large brain networks (ENABLES LEARNING AND MEMORY)

41
Q

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

A

decreases the likelihood that neurons will fire an action potential (DEACTIVATION)

42
Q

Examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters

A

GABA ( gamma-amino-butyric acid)
blocks or inhibits brain signals
low levels of gabba = anxiety fear and stress

43
Q

neurohormone

A

neuron in blood supply

44
Q

neuromodulator

A
  • they are chemicals that are released the same way as neurotransmitters
  • neuromodulators enhance signal transmissions + impacts last longer
  • can influence neurotransmitters
45
Q

examples of neuromodulators

A

Serotonin and dopamine

46
Q

Dopamine

A
  • Is made in the susbtantia Nigra in the brain.
  • Involved in motivation, drive, motor movement and reward system.
    Too much dopamine = Parkinson disease
    too little = associated with Schizophrenia
47
Q

dopamine reward system

A

when experiencing something rewarding the brain responds by releasing dopamine, resulting in feelings of PLEASURE and EUPHORIA. (can lead to ADDICTION)

48
Q

serotonin

A
  • mood stabilizer
    involved in wellbeing, happiness, digestion, metabolism & stress. Irregular serotonin has been associated with depression and plays a role in the SLEEP WAKE CYCLE
    increase in serotonin = reduce amount of REM
49
Q

neuroplasticity

A

is the ability of the brain to change itself as a result of experince (learning + memory, accidents + injury,)
THIS CHANGES NERUAL CONNECTIONS AND PATHWAYS

50
Q

Two types of neuroplasticity

A

Developmental
- Brain is maturing and growing on a neural level
Adaptive
- recovery, adapting to, relearning after injury
(eg brain injury after accident)

51
Q

synaptic plastcity

A

ability of the synapse to change in response to experience
e.g) synaptic plasticity enables change involving the strengthening or weakening of connections in neurons in the synapse

52
Q

Long term Potentiation (LTP)

A

the increase in synaptic strength through high-frequency stimulation of a neural pathway

53
Q

Long term depression (LTD)

A

the reduction of the efficiency of synaptic connections. Weakening of a neural pathway

54
Q

Sprouting

A

Involves reestablishing neural connections between neurons (LTP)

55
Q

Rerouting

A

involves reestablishing neural connections by creating alternate pathways (LTP)

56
Q

Pruning

A

Fading/decay of weak, ineffective or unused synapses (and eliminates connections to other neurons) (LTD)

57
Q

Stress

A

stress is a state of psychological and physiological state or tension in response to stimulus

58
Q

Eustress

A

Good kind of stress/ enhances memory, performance, experience

59
Q

Distress

A

Negative impact/ decrease, performance

60
Q

Acute stress

A

a form of stress characterized by intense psychological and physiological symptoms that last for a short period of time

61
Q

Chronic

A

a form of stress that endures for several months or longer (pressures, ongoing, demands and worries that are constant and long lasting)

62
Q

Stressors

A

a stressor is the stimulus that prompts the stress response it can either be internal or external

63
Q

Internal

A

a stimulus from within a persons body that prompts the stress

64
Q

External

A

a stimulus from outside of a persons body that prompts the stress response

65
Q

fight - flight - freeze

A

the response is more premiant during acute stress

66
Q

Coritsol

A

is a stress hormone that acts more slowly and effects are more longer lasting, helps keep the bodying dealing with stress after adrenaline has worn off.

67
Q

what cortisol affects

A
  • Cortisol blocks the immune system
  • vulnerability to heart disease
  • high blood pressure

Has good short term affects but bad long term affects

68
Q

HPA axis

A

is a complex network of hormones that is activated by stress

H = hypothalamus / fear center in the brain
P=Pituitary / hormone gland in the brain
A=Adrenaline / adrenal cortex in body release stress hormone

69
Q

GBA

A

involves direct and indirect pathways between cognitive and emotional areas

70
Q

Gut microbiota

A

-Living organisms that live in our GI tract and help maintain gut health and functioning
- Gut microbiota communicates with the brain through GBA, also affects mental processes and behaviours

71
Q

Microbiome

A

is where microbiota live and can be affected by factors including diet, infection, disease and lifestyle choices

72
Q

Links to stress with microbiota

A

stress and microbiota have bidirectional links.
Stress can disturb the balance of microbiota and can make microbiota more vulnerable to stress.

73
Q

links with stress with brain and gut

A

brain and gut communicate through networks of neural hormones. The network and the signals within it can be disturbed when experience of stress

74
Q

vagus nerve

A

Relays messages between the gut and brain.
Is responsible for 80/90% of info conveyed from the gut to the brain. Vagus nerve connects to every part of the GI tract

75
Q

GAS Stage 1 (Alarm reaction)

A

when person first becomes aware of the stressor
2 subdivisions
- shock
- countershock

76
Q

shock

A

body goes into a temporary state of shock and body ability to deal with stressor falls below normal
e.g slow heart + breathing rate

77
Q

counter shock

A
  • The sympathetic system is activated, fight/flight is activated.
  • HPA releases adrenaline & cortisol into bloodstream but adrenaline is the main stress hormone in this stage
    (heart +breathing rate fastens)
78
Q

Stage 2 ( Resistance)

A
  • The intense level of arousal from alarm reaction diminishes through parasympathetic system but physiological levels remain above normal.
  • cortisol is the main hormone in this stage.

This levels leads to colds and headaches due to cortisol

79
Q

Stage 3 exhaustion

A

the body has been dealing with the stressor for a prolonged time, stress hormones have been depleted and resistance to disease is weak.
The body has became vulnerable

80
Q

Pros of GAS

A
  • There is evidence of the relationship between stress and illness
  • It highlights a predictable pattern that can be measured in individuals
81
Q

Cons of Gas

A
  • Research was not conducted on humans but on rats, hard to make a generalization
  • Doesn’t account for individual differences and psychological factors
82
Q

Pros of lazarus and folkman

A
  • Account for individual differences in responses to similar situations in appraisal stages and why people react to the stressors
  • Psych approach - acknowledges thoughts and feelings
83
Q

Cons of lazarus and folkman

A
  • Lack of empirical evidence due tp the subjective nature of the experiment
  • There is often overlap between primary and secondary appraisal stages and they are less discrete and reoccur more simultaneously then the model suggests
  • No bio/physical perspective
84
Q

What are Approach strategies

A

involves behaviours that attempt to decrease the stress by addressing or finding solutions to the problem.
- healthy way of dealing with stress

85
Q

What are avoidance strategies

A

these involve failing to engage or deal with the stress by protecting oneself from psychological distress.

  • typically unhealthy way of dealing with stress
86
Q

The 4 coping strategies

A

Resilience - our ability to bounce the following adversity

Self Efficacy - the belief in our own ability and that our actions can influence outcomes

Emotion-based-coping– Regulating your feelings and emotions to the problem instead of addressing it

Problem-based-coping – active efforts to manage stressful situations

87
Q

Context-specific effectiveness

A

need to ensure that the coping strategy is a good fit for the situation. If it is, we call this context-specific effectiveness

88
Q

coping flexibility

A

coping flexibility is the ability to adjust or change ones coping strategies depending on the unique and changing demands of a stressor

Psychology (4 decks)

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