The nervous system is broken down into…
- central nervous system (CNS)
- peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What makes up the CNS?
- brain
- spinal cord
Function: CNS
- process, interpret, store information
- issues orders to muscles, glands, and other organs
Function: PNS
-transmits information to and from the CNS
The PNS is broken down into…
- somatic nervous system
- autonomic nervous systen
What does the somatic nervous system control?
-skeletal muscles
What does the autonomic nervous system control?
regulates:
- glands
- blood vessels
- internal organs
The autonomic nervous system is broken down into…
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system
Function: sympathetic nervous system
- energy output
- mobilizes body for action
Function: parasympathetic nervous system
- conserves energy
- maintains quiet state
The basic units of the nervous system are…
-neurons
Neurons are composed of…
- dendrites
- cell body
- axon
What is the role of glial cells in the nervous system?
- hold neurons in place
- nourish, insulate, and protect neurons
Define: nerves
-bundles of axons and some dendrites in the PNS
Function: myelin sheath
- speeds of neural impulses
- prevents interference between adjacent calls
Communication between neurons occurs at…
-synapses
Define: action potential
- change in electrical voltage
- produces a neural impulse
Neurotransmitter molecules are released into ___________ and bind to ____________ on _____________.
- synaptic cleft
- receptor sites
- the receiving neuron
Neurotransmitter such as, _______, __________, and ___________ play a vital role in mood, memory, and psychological well-being
- serotonin
- dopamine
- acetylcholine
Define: endorphins
- modify the action of neurotransmitters
- reduce pain, promote pleasure
_________, chemical substances, produced primarily by ________, are released into the bloodstream and affect organs and cells.
- hormones
- endocrine glands
____________ promotes sleep
-melatonin
___________ plays a role in attachment and trust
-oxytocin
_____________, such as epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine, are involved in emotions, memory, and stress
-adrenal hormones
Sex hormones include…
- testosterone
- estrogen
- progesterone
The flexibility of the brain to adapt is known as __________.
-plasticity
What 5 methods are used to study the brain?
- lesion method
- EEG (electroencephalogram)
- TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)
- PET scan (positron-emission tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Explain: lesion method
-observing patients with brain damage
Explain: EEG
-brain-wave recording
Explain: TMS
-used as a “virtual” lesion method
Explain: PET scan
-method for analyzing biochemical activity in the brain
Explain: MRI
-method for studying body and brain tissue, using magnetic fields and special radio receivers
Where is the brain stem located?
-lower brain
Function: medulla
regulates automatic functions such as:
- breathing
- heartrate
Function: pons
invoved in:
- sleeping
- waking
- dreaming
___________ is a dense network of neurons that screens incoming information and is responsible for alertness.
-reticular activating system (RAS)
________ contributes to balance and muscle coordination
-cerebellum
_______ directs sensory messages
-thalamus
Function: hypothalamus
- involved in emotions and drives vital to survival
- controls operations in the autonomic nervous system, and the pituitary gland (master gland)
Define: limbic system
-group of brain areas involved in emotional reactions and motivated behavior
Function: amygdala
-evaluates sensory information, determines its emotional importance, and decides whether to engage or withdraw from a situation
_________ plays a critical role in LTM for facts and events
-hippocampus
The ______ is divided into 2 ___________, connected by a band of fibers called ________.
- cerebrum
- cerebral hemispheres
- corpus callosum
The cerebrum is covered by thin layers of cells called…
-cerebral cortex
The _______ lobes contain the visual cortex.
-occipital lobes
The ______ lobes contain the somatosensory cortex.
-parietal
Function: somatosensory cortex
receives information about:
- pressure
- pain
- touch
- temperature
The _________ lobes involve memory, perception, and emotion.
-temporal
The _______ lobes contain the motor cotrtex.
-frontal
The frontal lobes are involved in…
- decision making
- carrying out plans
- social judgment
- voluntary movement (motor cortex)
- speech production (broca’s area)
The _______ cortex appears to be responsible for higher mental processes.
-association
