AP Psych - 6. Neuroscience & The Nervous System

Pink Notes

Neuroscience

the study of structure & function of the nervous system

The Nervous System

• we study the central nervous system & peripheral nervous system

• made of all nerves in the body

Nerve

made of billions of neurons

The Peripheral Nervous System

• nerves that run from the spinal cord through the body

• receives sensory signals from the senses

Sensory Signals

vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, balance, & positioning

Sensations

travel through the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord (except smell)

The Central Nervous System

spinal cord and brain

Spinal Cord

receives sensory signals

Reflexes

• if signal is life or death, it’s a reflex or reflexive action

• an automatic action that requires no conscious thought 

• occurs in spinal cord

Brain and Cognition

if the sensory signals requires cognition or thinking, it travels to the brain

Motor Signal

is relayed back through the peripheral NS if a motor action is required, through a reflex or cognition

Glial Cells

• “glue”

• some provide nutrients & help form neutral synaptic connections

• others help protect the brain from infection and damage

• provide structure, insulation, communication, & waste transport

Peripheral Nervous System 

• nerves connect muscles to bones

• motor aspect is subdivided into somatic & autonomic nervous systems

Somatic NS

voluntary muscle movement 

Voluntary Action

an action we choose do to through cognition

Motor Cortex

• part of somatic NS

• in the frontal lobe of the brain

Motor Neurons

the somatic nervous system communicates through these

Autonomic NS

• involuntary actions

• responsible for muscle & glandular movements you can’t control

• divided into sympathetic & parasympathetic

Brain Stem

• part of autonomic NS

• regulates heartbeat

Sympathetic NS

prepares us for fight or flight

Effects of Sympathetic NS

• directs body actions toward survival

• glucose productions

• secretes adrenaline & cortisol (stress hormone)

• pupils dilate

• heartbeat increases

• breathing rate increases

• blood pressure increases

• digestion slows

• bladder freezes

Parasympathetic NS

• calms the body

• brings you to homeostasis (normal state)