Unit 3 AOS 1 SAC Flashcards
central nervous system
comprised of brain and spinal cord. functions to process info recieved by body and activate appropriate responses
brain
control centre. recieves and processes sensory information and controls all bodily actions and functions
spinal cord
long thing bundle of nerve tissue from base of brain to lower back. Transmits sensory information from body to brain, and motor information from brain to body
peripheral NS
all nerves and neurons outside the CNS. functions to recieve sensory information from receptor sights (SAME acronym)
somatic NS
network of nerves connected to sensory receptors and skeletal muscles - conscious movement
autonomic NS
connections between CNS and internal organs. unconsious regulation of body
sympathetic NS
activates visceral organs, muscles and glands for high levels of activity, e.g. exercise or escaping threat
parasympathetic NS
maintains optimal functioning of visceral organs, muscles and glands - maintains and returns body to homeostasis after threat
enteric NS
controls digestive system - involves bidirectional communication with CNS via vagus nerve
conscious responses
reactions involve active awareness - tends to be more complex, involves decision making
unconscious responses
reactions do not involve consious awareness
spinal reflexes
automatic response that is initiated by interneurons in spinal cord instead of brain. helps respond to danger and harm more quickly
neurotransmitters
chemical substances produced by neuron to transmit messages to other neurons
steps of neurotransmission
- neural impulse reaches axon terminals
- causes neuron to release neurotransmitter into synaptic gap
- then bind to receptor sites on dendrites
- excitatory or inhibitory effect
neuromodulators
chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple neurons. they are slower than neurotransmitters but have longer lasting effects because they are released into multiple synapses
glutamate and excitatory effects
glutamate has an important role in learning and memory and is also excitatory
excitatory effects stimulate neural activity, increasing the likelihood that the post-synaptic neural will fire an action potential
GABA and inhibitory effects
GABA has an important role in motor control, memory and reducing anxiety
inhibitory effects suppress neural activity decreasing the likelihood of the post-synaptic neuron firing an action potential
dopamine
responsible for voluntary movement, experience of pleasure and reward based learning. it also plays a role in motivation. Can have both excitatory and inhibitory effects
serotonin
responsible for the regulation of sleep and mood. has an inhibitory effect
synaptic plasticity
ability of neurons to change their structure to create new synapses or eliminate redundant ones in response to experience
LTP
long lasting strengthening of neural pathways
LTD
long lasting weakening of neural pathways
sprouting
when a neuron creates new parts of itself to make more new connections with other neurons
rerouting
occurs when new connections are made between neurons to create alternate pathways
pruning
the elimination of weak, ineffective or unused synapses
stress
a state of physiological and psychological arousal that an individual percieves as challenging and/or exceeding their resources to cope
stressor
any person, situation or event that causes stress
internal stressor
cause of stress that originates from within an individual
external stressor
cause of stress that originates from outside an individual, an event or environment
acute stress response
sudden onset, causing high arousal for a short amount of time
chronic stress
increased arousal level that persists. tends to have worse effects on the body
fight flight freeze response
automatic biological response to a percieved stressor that increases our chances of survival in our environment
fight
directly deal with stressor head on
flight
evade or escape the stressor
freeze
immobilisation of the body, minimising its movements and sound
role of cortisol in stress
vital for maintaining HWB of body under stress. it boosts energy levels, hightens alertness and diverts energy to important parts.
negative effects of cortisol
if activated over a long period of time, it becomes depleted which leads to decreased immunity, making a person more susceptible to illness
stages of GAS
alarm reaction (shock and countershock), resistance stage, exhaustion stage
alarm reaction - shock
when we first become aware of the stressor. blood pressure drops, resistance is below normal
alarm reaction - countershock
defense reaction, sympathetic NS activated as well as flight fight freeze and adrenaline. resistance rises above normal
resistance stage
cortisol and resistance level at their highest. the body fighting stress. individual seems normal but unnecessary functions are shut down.
exhaustion stage
resources are depleted, immune system is weakened and prolonged release of cortisol has negative effects. person is susceptible to illness and disease. resistane well below normal
lazarus and folkman model
primary appraisal, secondary appraisal and outcome
primary appraisal
decide if situation is stressful or not. threat, harm/loss or challenge
secondary appraisal
when we examine our actions of coping - problem and emotion focussed
outcome
if coping strategy is effective, stress reduces
approach strategies
behaviours that attempt to decrease stress by alleviating the problem
avoidance strategies
avoiding dealing with stress
gut brain axis (GBA)
the connection between the CNS and the ENS that enables bidirectional communication between the brain and gastrointestinal tract
context specific effectiveness
a specific coping strategy that works well for a particular situation. most effective when context can be replicated.
coping flexibility
ability of an individual to replace an ineffective coping strategy with a different one.
