u3 aos1 - nervous system

Question 1

Central nervous system

Answer 1

comprised of the brain and spinal cord that receives information from the peripheral nervous system and sends motor information to the PNS

Question 2

brain

Answer 2

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

Question 3

spinal cord

Answer 3

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

Question 4

peripheral nervous system

Answer 4

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

Question 5

somatic nervous system

Answer 5

network of neutrons within the body that transmit information from receptor sites to CNS, and then carry information to the muscles to initiate voluntary movement

Question 6

autonomic nervous system

Answer 6

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

Question 7

sympathetic nervous system

Answer 7

activates visceral muscles, organs and glands, preparing the body to respond to a threat/stressor, preparing the body for vigorous activity

Question 8

parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 8

maintains the optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs and glands while maintaining homeostasis

Question 9

conscious response

Answer 9

a deliberate and voluntary action to a sensory stimulus involving awareness

Question 10

unconscious response

Answer 10

automatic and involuntary actions that occur without awareness

Question 11

spinal reflex

Answer 11

an unconscious, involuntary and automatically occurring response to sensory stimuli without the involvement of the brain

Question 12

neuron

Answer 12

the basic building blocks of the nervous system to communicate information around the body

Question 13

sensory neurons

Answer 13

transmit information from the body to the brain

Question 14

motor neurons

Answer 14

transmit information from the brain to the body

Question 15

interneurons

Answer 15

communicate between sensory and motor neurons

Question 16

synaptic transmission

Answer 16

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

Question 17

neurotransmitters

Answer 17

chemical molecules that have an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons

Question 18

excitatory effect

Answer 18

when the neurotransmitter increases the likelihood of the post synaptic neuron firing an action potential

Question 19

inhibitory effect

Answer 19

when the neurotransmitter decreases the likelihood of the post synaptic neuron firing an action potential

Question 20

neuromodulators

Answer 20

a chemical that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons

Question 21

dopamine

Answer 21

neuromodulator primarily responsible for voluntary motor movement and the experiences of pleasure and reward-based learning, having both an excitatory and inhibitory effect on the post synaptic neuron.

Question 22

serotonin

Answer 22

neuromodulator primarily responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep and has inhibitory effects on the post synaptic neuron.

Question 23

synaptic plasticity

Answer 23

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

Question 24

sprouting

Answer 24

a neurons ability to develop new branches or extensions on the dendrites or axons

Question 25

rerouting

Answer 25

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

Question 26

pruning

Answer 26

the elimination of underused synaptic connections that are not adequately activated

Question 27

long-term potentiation (LTP)

Answer 27

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

Question 28

long-term depression (LTD)

Answer 28

long lasting weakening in the strength of synaptic connections which reduces synaptic efficiency due to repeated low-level stimulation of the synaptic connections

Question 29

GABA

Answer 29

main inhibitory neurotransmitter playing a role in regulating post synaptic activation in neural pathways, preventing the overexcitation of neurons, which in turn reduces and regulates anxiety by inhibiting excitatory neural signals contributing to anxiety.

Question 30

glutamate

Answer 30

the main excitatory neurotransmitter playing a role in learning and memory. forms and strengthens synaptic connections between neurons that are activated during learning, enabling synaptic plasticity.