Nervous system

Question 1

Sensory neurons

Answer 1

Transmit sensory information from receptors to the CNS via afferent tracts

Question 2

Interneurons

Answer 2

Connect sensory and motor neurons, and coordinate responses.

Question 3

Motor Neurons

Answer 3

Transmit messages from the CNS to effector muscles, organs, and glands

Question 4

Dendrites

Answer 4

Recieve informations from other neurons

Question 5

Soma

Answer 5

Integrates information from dendrites

Question 6

Axon

Answer 6

Transmits messages from soma to axon terminals

Question 7

Myelin

Answer 7

Fatty substance surrounding the axon that insulates the neuron, and increases the speed of neural transmission

Question 8

Axon terminals

Answer 8

Stores and secretes neurotransmitters

Question 9

Central Nervous System

Answer 9

Processes sensory information and coordinates motor responses

Question 10

Brain

Answer 10

Receives and processes sensory information. Coordinates motor responses such as voluntary movement, emotions, concious thought and homeostasis.

Question 11

Spinal cord

Answer 11

Allows for communication between brain and peripheral nervous system. Coordinates spinal reflexes.

Question 12

Peripheral Nervous system

Answer 12

All nerves outside the CNS. Carries sensory information to the CNS, and relays motor informations from the CNS to effectors.

Question 13

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 13

Controls concious/voluntary movement of skeletal muscles, and spinal reflexes.

Muscles constrict or relax

Question 14

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 14

Regulates activity of visceral muscles, organs and glands.

Doesn’t depend on control from the brain, generally operating without concious awareness.

Question 15

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 15

Responsible for increasing arousal, activated by a stressor.

Releases adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Question 16

Parasympathetic Nervous system

Answer 16

Maintains homeostasis, counterbalancing sympathetic nervous system activity.

Question 17

Enteric Nervous system

Answer 17

Nerves located in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Can function independent from the brain.

Question 18

Neurotransmitters

Answer 18

Chemical messengers that relay signals across synapses.

Binds to complementary-shaped receptor sites on post-synaptic neurons.

Question 19

Synapse

Answer 19

The point of communication between two neurons or a neuron and target cell.

Question 20

Glutamate

Answer 20

An excitatory neurotransmitter.

Increases likelihood of post-synaptic neuron firing an action potential.

Question 21

GABA

Answer 21

An inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Blocks/suppresses post-synaptic neuron activity

Question 22

Neuromodulators

Answer 22

Chemicals that effect a widespread brain region/many neurons

Increase/decrease the excitability/responsiveness of neurons

Question 23

Neuromodulation

Answer 23

The process where synaptic communication is either enhanced or decreased

Question 24

Dopamine

Answer 24

Regulates: voluntary motor movements, reward-based learning, memory, and motivation

Question 25

Serotonin

Answer 25

Regulates: mood, sleep and the gut-brain axis

Question 26

Synaptic plasticity

Answer 26

The ability of synaptic connections to change in response to activity

Question 27

Long term potentiation

Answer 27

Long-lasting strengthening of neural pathways as a result of repeated stimulation, resulting in increased efficacy of synaptic transmission. ## Footnote * additional axon terminals * additional dendrites * additional receptor sites * more synapses * increased glutamate release * dopamine release

Question 28

Long term depression

Answer 28

Long-lasting weakening of synaptic connections due to prolonged low-level stimulation, resulting in decreased efficacy of synaptic transmission ## Footnote * reduction of axon terminals * reduction of dendrites * reduction of receptor sites * less/weaker synapses * decreased glutamate release * dopamine release

Question 29

Sprouting

Answer 29

The formation of new synapses

Question 30

Rerouting

Answer 30

Reorganisation of neural pathways to establish alternate pathways

Question 31

Pruning

Answer 31

Elimination of neural pathways to increase efficacy of neural transmission

Question 32

Stress

Answer 32

A state of physiological or psychological arousal caused by internal or external stressors that is percieved by the individual as exceeding their ability to cope. | * Cumulative * Psychobiological process

Question 33

Stressors

Answer 33

Stimuli that causes or produces stress

Question 34

Internal stressors

Answer 34

Originate from within the individual | Bio/psycho

Question 35

External stressors

Answer 35

Originate from outside the individual | Social

Question 36

Acute stress

Answer 36

Stress that occurs for a short period of time

Question 37

Chronic Stress

Answer 37

Stress that occurs for a prolonged period of time

Question 38

Non-specific stress response

Answer 38

Regardless of the stressor, the body will respond with the same physiological changes.

Question 39

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

Answer 39

Responsible for the release of cortisol when confronting a stressor.

Question 40

Fight-flight-freeze response

Answer 40

Adaptive response to acute stress

Question 41

Fight response

Answer 41

Individual will confront the threat directly

Question 42

Flight response

Answer 42

Individual will attempt to evade the stressor

Question 43

Freeze

Answer 43

Body will immobilise to avoid detection from the threat

Question 44

Coping strategies

Answer 44

Specific methods used by an individual to manage or reduce stress

Question 45

Approach coping strategy

Answer 45

Address the stressor directly

Question 46

Avoidance coping strategy

Answer 46

Individual directs their energy away from the stressor

Question 47

Context-specific effectiveness

Answer 47

The extent to which a coping strategy is appropriate for the unique demands of a stressor

Question 48

Coping flexibility

Answer 48

The ability to swap coping strategies to meet the changing demands of a stressor

Question 49

Gut brain axis

Answer 49

Bidirectional communication link between the enteric and central nervous systems ## Footnote sensory to brain, motor to gut, both control voluntary bowel movements

Question 50

Microbiota

Answer 50

The organisms within the gut that aid digestion