Unit 3 AOS1 Flashcards
brain
complex structure that receives and processes sensory stimuli from the body and coordinates responses, including voluntary movements, emotions and conscious thought
Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and the spinal cord; process and coordinate responses to sensory stimuli
spinal cord
a dense bundle of nerves that carries sensory information from the body to the brain and motor information from the brain to the body.
Spinal reflex
an involuntary and unconscious response to a stimulus involving the spinal cord, which occurs without input from the brain
sensory receptor
a sensory nerve ending that produces an afferent or sensory impulse when stimulated
sensory neuron
a nerve cell that carries sensory signals throughout the nervous system
interneuron
a nerve cell in the spinal cord that connects motor and sensory neurons by relaying information between the two
motor neuron
a nerve cell that transmits motor impulses from the spinal cord to the skeletal and smooth muscles
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
all the nerves outside of the central nervous system that carry messages between the CNS and muscles, organs and glands throughout the body.
Somatic nervous system
a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information to the central nervous system and motor information to the body
autonomic nervous system
a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s internal environment in an autonomous or self-regulated manner
sympathetic nervous system
a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that increases our arousal, readying the body for a quick response
parasympathetic nervous system
a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that controls the body’s internal environment in an autonomous or self-regulated manner
unconscious response
any response of our nervous system that does not require awareness
conscious response
any response of the nervous system that requires awareness
neuron
an individual nerve cell that is specialised to receive, process and/or transmit information within the nervous system
neural transmission
an electrical impulse that occurs when a neuron is activated or fires
neurotransmitter
a chemical produced by neurons that carries messages to other neurons or cells within the nervous system, including muscles, organs and glands.
synapse
the point of communication between two neurons or between a neuron and a target cell such as a muscle or gland
synaptic vesicles
a membrane-bound sphere filled with neurotransmitter molecules
synaptic gap
the space between the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron and the membrane of the post-synaptic neuron
receptor site
a membrane protein on the dendrites of neurons that receive and detect specific neurotransmitters
excitatory effect
the increased likelihood that the post-synaptic neuron will fire and action potential or neural impulse
Glutamate
the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, which is involved with learning and memory
inhibitory effect
the decreased likelihood that the post-synaptic neuron will fire and action potential or neural impulse
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, associated with anxiety, specific phobias and Parkinson’s disease
neuromodulator
a subclass of neurotransmitters that alter the strength of neural transmission, by increasing or decreasing the responsiveness of neurons to neurotransmitter signals.
Dopamine
a multifunctional neurotransmitter with both excitatory and inhibitory effects, that is involved in many central nervous system functions, such as movement, pleasure, attention, mood, cognition and motivation
Reward pathway
a group of structures in the brain that are activated by rewarding or reinforcing stimuli
serotonin
an inhibitory neurotransmitter that also acts as a neuromodulation influencing a variety of brain activities
serotonin pathway
serotonin’s neuromodulatory system, which originates in the brainstem and extends to almost all areas of the cerebrum including the cerebral cortex.
synaptic plasticity
specific changes that occur within the synapse, between neurons
Long-term potentiation
the relatively permanent strengthening of synaptic connections as a result of repeated activation of a neural pathway
long-term depression
the relatively permanent weakening of synaptic connections as a result of repeated low-level activation
sprouting
the growth of axon or dendrite fibers at the synapse
dendritic spine
a dendrite fiber that grows by sprouting on the post-synaptic neuron
filigree appendage
a fiber that grows by sprouting from the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron
synaptogenesis
the formation of new synapses that result from the process of sprouting
rerouting
the formation of new connections between neurons to establish alternative neurla pathways
pruning
the removal of excess neurons and synaptic connections to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions
stressor
any event that causes stress or is perceived as a threat and a challenge to our ability to cope.
stress
a state of mental, emotional and physiological tension, resulting from a stressor
internal stressor
a cause of stress that originates within an individual; can be both psychological and biological/physiological.
external stressor
a cause of stress that originates from outside an individual, such as an event or environmental extreme.ut
acute stress
stress that usually occurs because of a sudden threat and only lasts for a short time
chronic stress
stress that lasts for a long time
fight-flight-freeze
an autonomic biological response to a perceived stressor that increases our chances of survival in our environment
cortisol
a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates a wide range of bodily processes including metabolism, and is released in response to stress
Gut-Brain axis (GBA)
the connection between the CNS and the enteric nervous system that enables, bidirectional communication between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract.
Enteric Nervous system (ENS)
a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system; it consists of nerve cells lining the gastrointestinal tract and controls the digestive system.
Gut
the gastrointestinal tract or long tube that starts at the mouth (oesophagus) and ens at the anus (rectumI
Gut microbiota
the microbe population found in the gut (digestive system)
microbe
a microscopic living thing found in water, soil and the air.
- digest the components of our food to provide their own nutrition while also providing us with energy and nutrients
general adaptation syndrome (GAS)
a biological model of stress that proposes we have a non-specific biological response to stress that occurs in three stages.
GAS - alarm reaction
the first stage of the GAS model, where we become aware of the stressor; it consisted of two phases
- shock
- counter shock
GAS - AR - shock
the first phase of the alarm reaction stage of the GAS-AR model in which the body’s ability to deal with the stressor fails below normal
GAS - AR - countershock
the second phase of the GAS-AR, in which the body’s ability to deal with the stressor rises above the normal.
GAS - resistance stage
the second stage of the GAS in which the stressors persists, and the body resources are maximised to cope and adapt over time.
GAS - exhaustion stage
the third stage of the GAS in which continued depletion of energy stores and high levels of hormones; cortisol, decrease resistance to the stressor and impair the immune system.
Appraisal
the process of categorising an event on the basis its perceived significance and hot it may affect our wellbeing.
Transactional model of stress and coping
a psychological model that suggests a stress response its only elicited if an event is perched to exceed our ability to cope and is based on our appraisal of the situation.
Primary appraisal
when an individual determines the significance of an event as stressful, benign positive or irrelevant. And further evaluates as threat, harm/loss or challenge.
secondary appraisal
Coping strategies: approach, avoidant
coping strategies - coping-flexibility, context-specific effectiveness.
