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Psychology > YR12 - Chapter 2, The nervous system > Flashcards

YR12 - Chapter 2, The nervous system Flashcards

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1
Q

CNS

A

a major division of the NS comprising the brain and spinal cord, which receives neural messages from and transmits neural messages to the PNS

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2
Q

Brain

A

a complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates mental processes and behaviour, and regulates bodily activity

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3
Q

Spinal cord

A

a cable of nerve tissue that extends from the brain, connecting it to the PNS

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4
Q

PNS

A

a major division of the NS comprising every neuron in the body outside the CNS

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5
Q

Somatic nervous system
(SoNS)

A

a division of the PNS that transmits neural messages related to voluntary motor movement

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6
Q

Skeletal muscles

A

muscles connected to the skeleton that carry out voluntary motor movements

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7
Q

Autonomic nervous system
(ANS)

A

a division of the PNS that regulates visceral muscles, organs, and glands, and transmits neural messages to the CNS about their activity

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8
Q

Visceral muscles, organs, and glands

A

muscles, organs, and glands not connected to the skeleton that are predominantly self-regulating and do not require conscious control

examples - heart, liver, kidneys, adrenal, bladder, eye etc

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9
Q

Sympathetic nervous system
(SyNS)

A

a division of the ANS that activates visceral muscles, organs, and glands, preparing the body to respond to a threat or stressor

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10
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system
(ParaNS)

A

a division of the ANS that maintains the optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs, and glands

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11
Q

Neuron

A

a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information

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12
Q

Motor neurons / efferent neurons

A

neurons that transmit neural messages about motor movement from the CNS to the PNS

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13
Q

Sensory neurons / afferent neurons

A

neurons that transmit neural messages about bodily sensations from the PNS to the CNS

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14
Q

Interneurons

A

neurons that transfer neural messages between sensory neurons and motor neurons

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15
Q

Conscious response

A

a deliberate and voluntary action that is initiated by the brain and performed intentionally by the body

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16
Q

Sensory receptor

A

a nerve ending that detects internal sensations in the body and external sensations from the environment

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17
Q

Conscious response (method)

A

R.A.C.E.R.
Registered (by sensory receptors)
Afferent (tracts)
Coordinated (response by brain)
Efferent (tracts)
Response (by skeletal muscles)

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18
Q

Unconscious response

A

an automatic and involuntary action that is performed by the body independently of the brain

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19
Q

Spinal reflex/Reflex arc

A

an unconscious response to sensory stimuli that is initiated by interneurons in the spinal cord independently of the brain

20
Q

Unconscious response (method)

A
  1. dangerous sensation occurs, sent through SoNS as sensory message
  2. interneurons in spinal cord (sensory –> motor)
  3. motor response (SoNS to skeletal muscles)
  4. message is send to the brain from spinal cord, it registers the sensation independently.
21
Q

Neural synapse

A

the region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gap, and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron

22
Q

Receptor site

A

a protein molecule on the dendrites of a neuron that receives neurochemicals

23
Q

Neurochemical

A

a chemical substance that transmits neural information within the NS

24
Q

Synaptic transmission

A

the chemical conveyance of neural information between two neurons across a neural synapse

25
Q

Process of synaptic transmission

A
  1. Neurochemicals are produced in the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron.
  2. Neurochemicals are released from the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic gap.
  3. Neurochemicals bind to receptor sites on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron.
  4. Neurochemicals affect the postsynaptic neuron, either triggering or inhibiting a response.
26
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

a chemical molecule that has an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons

27
Q

Action potential

A

an electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron

28
Q

Excitatory effect

A

when the neurotransmitter increases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential

29
Q

Glutamate

A

the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system

  • learning and memory
  • strengthen synaptic connections
  • thought and movement
30
Q

Inhibitory effect

A

when the neurotransmitter decreases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential

31
Q

GABA (gamma- aminobutyric acid)

A

the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the NS

  • preventing overexcitation of neurons, which reduces anxiety
  • inhibits uncontrolled firing of action potentials, controlling risk of seizures
32
Q

Neuromodulator

A

a chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons

33
Q

Dopamine

A

a neuromodulator primarily responsible for voluntary motor movement, the experience of pleasure, and reward- based learning

(both excitatory and inhibitory)

34
Q

Serotonin

A

a neuromodulator primarily responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep

(inhibitory)

35
Q

synaptic plasticity

A

the ability of synaptic connections to change over time in response to activity or experience

(adaptive and developmental)

36
Q

3 main mechanisms

A
  • sprouting
  • rerouting
  • pruning
37
Q

sprouting

A

ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions/branches

38
Q

rerouting

A

ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron

39
Q

pruning

A

the elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated

40
Q

Synaptic plasticity’s role in learning and memory

A

During learning & memory, neural synapses physically change in response to these experiences, forming, strengthening and/or weakening.

41
Q

Long Term Potentiation (LTP)

A

the long-lasting and experience-dependent strengthening of synaptic connections that are regularly coactivated

(uses sprouting)

42
Q

structural changes of LTP

A
  • more receptor sites on dendrites
  • bushier dendrites
  • more synaptic connections
43
Q

Long term depression (LTD)

A

the long-lasting and experience-dependent weakeningof synaptic connections between neurons that are not regularly coactivated

(uses pruning)

44
Q

structural changes of LTD

A
  • less receptor sites
  • less dendrites
  • less synaptic connections
45
Q
A

Psychology (16 decks)

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