Unit 3 // AOS1 Textbook Definitions Flashcards
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord
Neural pathway
A route based on interconnected neurons that form a communication network within the brain and between the brain and other parts of the nervous system and body
Spinal cord
A long, thin bundle of nerve tissues connecting the brain and rest of the body via the peripheral nervous system; initiates simple reflex responses independently of the brain; aka spinal reflex
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Entire network of nerves located outside the central nervous system; carries information to and from the central nervous system (via its somatic and autonomic sub-divisions)
Somatic nervous system (SNS)
A sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s internal organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about their activities
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
A sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s internal organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about their activities
Sympathetic nervous system
A sub-division of the autonomic nervous system; activates internal muscles, organs and glands to prepare for vigorous activity or to deal with a stressor, fear stimulus, threat or emergency
Parasympathetic nervous system
A sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that calms or restores the body to its normal state of functioning after the need for sympathetic nervous system activation has passed
Enteric nervous system (ENS)
A sub-division of the autonomic nervous system embedded within the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and dedicated to its functioning
Conscious response
A reaction to a sensory stimulus that involves awareness; usually voluntary, goal-directed and with some degree of control over it
Unconscious response
A reaction to a sensory stimulus that does not involve awareness; involuntary, unintentional, autonomic and we cannot ordinarily control its occurrence
Spinal reflex
An unconscious, involuntary response to certain stimuli, initiated within the spinal cord and controlled solely by neural circuits; also called reflex arc
Synaptic gap
The tiny space between the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron; also called synaptic cleft
Neural synapse
The site where communication typically occurs between adjacent neurons; also called neural junction or synapse
Neurotransmitter
A chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, glands, or other tissue
Excitatory effect
When a neurotransmitter stimulates or activates a postsynaptic neuron to perform its functions
Inhibitory effect
When a neurotransmitter blocks or prevents a postsynaptic neuron from firing and therefore performing its functions
Glutamate (Glu)
The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, thereby enhancing information transmission by making postsynaptic neurons more likely to fire
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, making postsynaptic neurons less likely to fire
Neuromodulators
A neurotransmitter that can influence the effects of other neurotransmitters
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter or neuromodulator with multiple functions depending on where it acts; functions include roles in coordinating movement, learning and behaviours that are rewarding
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter or neuromodulator with multiple functions depending on where it acts; functions include emotional processing, mood, and sleep onset
Synaptic plasticity
The ability of a synapse to change in response to experience
Sprouting
The creation of new extensions on a neuron to allow it to make new connections with other neurons
Rerouting
When new connections are made between neurons to create alternate neural pathways
Pruning
The elimination of weak, ineffective or unused synapses (and therefore connections to other neurons); also called synaptic pruning
Long-term potentiation (LTP)
The long-lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission due to repeated strong stimulation
Long-term depression (LTD)
The long-lasting decrease in the strength of synaptic connections and transmission and neuronal response
Stress
A psychobiological response produced by internal or external stressors
Stressor
A stimulus that produces stress
Internal stressor
A stressor that originates within the individual
External stressor
A stressor which originates outside the individual from situations and events in the environment
Acute stress
Stress that lasts for a relatively short time
Chronic stress
Stress that continues for a prolonged period of time
Fight-or-flight-or-freeze response
An involuntary, bodily response to a sudden and immediate threat (or stressor) in readiness for fight (confront), flight (escape) or freeze (be silent and unseen)
Gut-brain axis (GBA)
A bidirectional, multi-faced communication link between the central and enteric nervous systems
General adaption syndrome (GAS)
A three-stage physiological response to stress involving alarm reaction (shock/countershock), resistance and exhaustion
Alarm reaction
The first stage of the General Adaption Syndrome in which the body goes into a temporary state of shock, then rebounds (counter shock) following initial awareness of a stressor
Shock
In the General Adaption Syndrome, the temporary state immediately following exposure to a stressor during the initial alarm reaction stage
Counter shock
In the General Adaption Syndrome, rebound from the temporary state of shock during the initial alarm reaction stage
Resistance stage
The second stage of the General Adaption Syndrome, when the body’s resistance to the particular stressor rises above normal
Exhaustion stage
The third stage of the General Adaption Syndrome when the body can no longer sustain resistance
Transactional model of stress and coping
Proposes that stress involves an encounter between an individual and their environment, and that a stress response depends upon both an individual’s appraisal of the stressor and their ability to cope with it
Primary appraisal
In the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, an individual’s evaluate of the significance of a potential stressor and whether anything is at stake in the encounter, resulting in a decision that it is either irrelevant, benign-positive or stressful
Secondary appraisal
In the Transaction Model of Stress and Coping, an individual’s evaluation of their ability to control or overcome a stressful situation
Coping
In relation to stress management, attempting to manage the demands of a stressor in some effective way
Coping strategy
A specific method used to manage and reduce the stress produced by a stressor
Context-specific effectiveness
In relation to coping, when there is a match or ‘good fit’ between the coping strategy that is used and the stressful situation
Coping flexibility
The ability to effectively modify or adjust one’s coping strategies according to the demands of different stressors
Approach coping strategies
An effort to cope with stress by confronting the stressor and dealing directly with it and its effects
Avoidance coping strategies
An effort to cope with stress by evading the stressor and dealing indirectly with it and its effects
