Week 1: Communication in the Nervous System Flashcards
What do afferent neurons do?
Send information to the CNS
What do efferent neurons do?
Send motor information
How is information communicated in the neural route?
Quickly and discretely
How is information communicated in chemical route?
Slowly - chemicals travel via the blood
What is the main advantage of the neural route?
Information can be rapidly communicated between parts of the body and cells
What is the main advantage of the chemical route?
It can influence a wide range of cells in the body
Which parts of the body are in the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
Brain and spinal cord
What is the role of the Peripheral Nervous System?
Carries messages to and from the CNS
What is the role of the Somatic Nervous System?
Controls voluntary muscles and transmits information to the CNS
What is the role of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
Controls involuntary body functions
What is the role of the Sympathetic Nervous System?
Releases energy to speed things up
What is the role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
Stores energy to slow things down
What is GSR an abbreviation for?
Galvanic Skin Response
What does GSR refer to?
Changes in sweat gland activity - reflects emotional state
What are the two types of cells?
Neurons and glial cells
What do neurons do?
Collect and transmit electrical information
What do glial cells do?
Provide support and structure for neurons
Approximately how many neurons are there in the brain?
100 billion
Who came up with the “Fight or Flight” response theory?
Cannon (1929)
What are examples of the “Fight or Flight” response?
- Increased heart rate
- Increased breathing rate
- Blood diverted from skin surface
When is the Sympathetic Nervous System most active?
When we are stressed
When is the Parasympathetic Nervous System most active?
When we are relaxed
How do we measure sweat gland activity?
Galvanic Skin Conductance
What does electrocardiography do?
Records electrical activity of the heart and transforms it into a waveform
What does electrocardiography measure?
The rate and regularity of heartbeats
