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3/4pysch > Chapter 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the central NS

A

comprised of the brain and spinal cord
recieves sensory information via the afferent pathways from the peripheral NS
- sends motor messages to the PNS

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2
Q

Brain

A

regulates and guides all other parts of the NS
responsible for higher order functions
CONSCIOUS RESPONSE

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3
Q

spinal cord

A

sends sensory afferent messages towards the brain

sends motor/efferent messages AWAY from hte brain (through efferent tracts)

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4
Q

What is the peripheral NS

A

everything outside of the central nervous system and is comprised of muscles, organs, glands

FUNCTION
sends sensory messages to the CNS
recieves motor informations from the CNS

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5
Q

Somatic NS

A

carry information to the muscles to initiate voluntary movement
carries afferent information from the five sense to the CNS
carries efferent info from the CNS to the body involving motor neurons responsible for voluntary movements directing the action of skeletal muscles attached to the bones enabling voluntary movement

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6
Q

autonomic

A

unconscious responses that regulate and controls organs + glans + visceral musces (eg heart) that transmits neural messages to the CNS about their activity

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7
Q

sympathetic NS

A

prepares the body for action to deal with the potential threat (fight, flight, freeze)

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8
Q

parasympathetic NS

A

maintains homeostasis and returns the body to a state of calm

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9
Q

sympathetic
-pupils
-saliva
-airways
heart reate
stomach
liver
bladder
kidneys

A

pupils dilate
-saliva INHIBITED
-airways DILATE
heart reate INCREASES
stomach INHIBITS DIGESTION
liver RELEASES GLUCOSE
bladder RELAXES
kidneys RELASE ADRENALINE

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10
Q

parasympathetic
-pupils
-saliva
-airways
heart rate
stomach
Intestines
bladder

A

-pupils CONSTRICT
-saliva
-airways CONSTRICT
heart rate SLOWS
stomach DIGESTS
Intestines DIGEST
bladder CONSTRICTS

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11
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Afferent neurons
Transmits sensory information from your body to brain

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12
Q

Motor neurons

A

Efferent neurons
transmits motor information from your brain to body

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13
Q

Interneurons

A

Transmit information between sensory and motor
(most numerous in the brain)

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14
Q

sensory neural pathways

A

messages travel from sensory receptors, which detect sensations to the CNS vis afferent neural pathways

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15
Q

motor neural pathways

A

messages travel from CNS to skeletal muscles which carry out voluntary motor movements via efferent neural pathways

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16
Q

Neuron

A

nerve cell that recieves and transmits neural information
they are the basic structural + functional unit of NS

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17
Q

Conscious responses

A

deliberate and voluntary actions that are intentionally initiated by the brain and performed by the body

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18
Q

Unconscious responses

A

are autonomatic and involuntary actions that are performed without conscious awareness in response to stimuli
NO BRAIN INVOLVED
eg Physiological responses of the autonomic NS (EG heart pumping blood)
spinal reflex

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19
Q

steps in conscious responses

A

Sensory stimulus comes into contact with sensory receptors
2. sensory information travels us AFFERENT pathways in the SOMATIC NS to the spinal cord and then the brain
3. The BRAIN processes the sensory information anf initiates a CONSCIOUS MOTOR RESPONSE
4. The motor messages travel via EFFERENT pathways in the SPINAL CORD and then the SOMATIC NS to skeletal muscles
5. Skeletal muscles carry out the conscious motor response to the sensory stimuli

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20
Q

Spinal reflex

A

An unconscious response to sensory stimuli that is initiated by INTERNEURONS in the spinal cord

INDEPENDENT OF THE BRAIN

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21
Q

Spinal reflex steps

A

A dangerous sensory stimulus comes into contact with SENSORY RECEPTORS
2. Sensory neural information travels up AFFERENT PATHWAYS in the SOMATIC NS to the SPINAL CORD
3. INTERNEURONS in the SPINAL CORD PASS the sensory dignal to a motor neuron as a MOTOR NEURAL SIGNAL
4. THis initiates an AUTOMATIC + UNCONSCIOUS motor response
5. Motor messages carried down EFFERENT PATHWAYS to the SKELETAL MUSCLES which respond

(The sensory information continues to the brain and the brain independently registers the sensation that triggered the SPINAL REFLEX (usually pain) but only AFTER the response has occured

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22
Q

The neural synapse

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A

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

23
Q

Presyanptic neuron

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A

is the neuron that releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse

24
Q

Axon terminals

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A

ends of the a neuron that releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse

25
synaptic gap
space between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron
26
post synaptic neuron
neuron that recieves neurochemicals from the neural synapse
27
dendrites
branched extensions of a neuron on which receptor sites are located
28
Mylein
-stops interference -speeds up message
29
receptor sites
protein molecules on the dendrites of a neuron that recieve neurochemicals
30
neurochemicals
chemical substance that transmit neural information within the NS -released by the presynaptic neuron and affect the postsynaptic neuron
31
what is synaptic transmission and what are the steps
Chemical conveyance of neural information between two neurons across a neural synapse process 1. neurochemicals are prduced 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 inhibting a response
32
Structure neurons/neurochemicals
each neurochemical has a distinct molecular structure that corresponds to a SPECIFIC RECEPTOR SITE Neurochemicals and receptor sites can ONLY BIND if they have MATCHING structures
33
Neurotransmitters
two types -inhibitory -excitatory chemical molecules that have an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons. This type of neurochemical enables rapid communication between two neurons across the neural synapse
34
Action potential
electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron
35
Excitatory effects
is when the neurotransmitter increases the likelyhood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential
36
Inhibitory
the neurotransmitter decreases the likelyhood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential
37
Glutamate
Is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the NS More likely for the postsynaptic neuron to fire learning and memory storage
38
GABA
- primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS -makes postsynaptic neuron less likely to fire Low levels like anxiety
39
Neuromodulator
chemical molecule that have an effect on MULTIPLE postsynaptic neurons - have widespread modulatory effects as they can influence large areas of brain tissue Long lasting effects
40
How can neuromodulators modulate the effect of neurotransmitters
enhancing the excitatory ot inhibitory effects of neurotransmitters
41
what are the main neuromodulators
- dopamine -seratonin
42
Dopamine
Voluntary motor movement low levels- parkinsons disease Reward pathway -addiction pleasure when dopamine released
43
Seratonin
Mood regulation sleep Birectional relationship between mood and sleep
44
Synaptic plasticity
The specific change that occurs within the synapse between neurons due to the repeated stimulation or the lack of repeated stimulation
45
Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity
sprouting, rerouting, pruning
46
sprouting
The ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches - this increases the reach of the neuron and enables the formation of ANEW synaptic connections
47
Rerouting
The ability of a neuron that is connected to a damage neuron to create an ALTERNATIVE synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron
48
Pruning
The elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequatly activated - this accomidates stronger + more essential synaptic connections, consequently enhancing the EFFICIENCY of brain functioning
49
Synaptic plasticity in learning and memory
learning- the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, or behaviours through experience Memory- the process of encoding, storing, and retriveing information that has been previously encountered
50
mechanism of memory formation to learning
51
two forms of synaptic plasticity
- long term potentiation - Long-term depression
52
Long term potentiation (include structural changes)
Long lasting STRENGTHEN of neural connections due to repeated STIMULATION of post-synaptic neurons "sprouting "rerouting
53
Long term depression (structural changes)
The long-lasting + experience dependent WEAKENING of synaptic connections between neurons that are NOT regularly coactivated Decreased release of neurotransmitters into the snaptic gap. - decrease number of receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron - decreased no. of dendrites on the postsynaptic neuron due to PRUNING - decreased no. of synaptic connections between neurons due to pruning enables the brain to accomodate more necessary memory traces regulats the no of synaptic connections in the brain, ensuring an OPTIMAL number is present for learning and memory These weakened memory traces can be restrengthened through long term potentiation if they are later reactivated

3/4pysch (5 decks)

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