mc guided review

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord, serving as the control center for processing information.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body and includes both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions and is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the ‘fight or flight’ response.

Parasympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes relaxation and ‘rest and digest’ functions.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements by transmitting signals from the brain to the muscles.

Motor (efferent) neurons

Carry signals from the CNS to the muscles.

Sensory (afferent) neurons

Send signals from sensory receptors to the CNS.

Interneurons

Process information between motor and sensory neurons.

Glial Cells

Support neurons by providing nutrition, insulation, and support.

Action Potential

Follows the all-or-none principle, meaning it either fires completely or not at all.

Depolarization

Phase where the neuron becomes positively charged as sodium ions rush in.

Refractory Period

Time period when a neuron cannot fire again immediately.

Resting Charge of Neuron

When at rest, a neuron has a negative charge inside compared to the outside.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease affecting the nervous system by damaging myelin.

Myasthenia Gravis

A disease that interferes with neurotransmitter transmission, leading to motor control issues.

GABA

The brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation.

Substance P

Involved in the perception of pain.

Endorphins

Act as natural painkillers, reducing pain.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood and emotional stability.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Crucial for muscle movement and memory.

Dopamine

Plays a role in reward and movement; imbalances are linked to Parkinson’s and schizophrenia.

Hormones

Released by the endocrine system, influencing behavior and physiological processes via the bloodstream.

Agonists

Increase neurotransmitter activity.

Antagonists

Decrease neurotransmitter activity by blocking receptors.

Stimulants

Drugs like caffeine and cocaine that increase nervous system activity.

Depressants

Drugs like alcohol that decrease nervous system activity.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that alter perception and may cause hallucinations.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Uses magnetic imaging to show detailed brain structures and activity.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

Measures electrical activity in the brain and is useful for studying sleep and seizures.

Lesion Studies

Examine brain function by observing behavior after damage to specific areas.

Neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to adapt by forming new connections after injury or learning experiences.

Brainstem

Includes structures like the medulla, which controls vital functions like breathing.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Regulates arousal and wakefulness.

Limbic System

Crucial for emotions and memory, including structures like the hippocampus and amygdala.

Thalamus

Acts as the brain's relay center, directing sensory information to cortical areas.

Hemispheric Specialization

Left hemisphere for language and logic, right hemisphere for spatial and creative tasks.

Contralateral Organization

Left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa.

Occipital Lobe

Processes vision.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for decision-making, planning, and voluntary movement.

Temporal Lobe

Plays a role in hearing and language comprehension.

Parietal Lobe

Integrates sensory information.

Prefrontal Cortex

Involved in executive functions.

Wernicke’s Area

Important for language comprehension.

Broca’s Area

Essential for speech production.

Circadian Rhythm

The body’s natural 24-hour cycle, influenced by light exposure.

REM Sleep

Associated with vivid dreams and crucial for memory processing.

REM Rebound

Increase in REM sleep when finally resting after deprivation.

Activation Synthesis Theory

Suggests dreams are the brain's way of making sense of random neural activity.

Consolidation Theory

Argues that dreams help process and store memories.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Causes sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep.

Sleep Apnea

Leads to repeated disruptions in breathing during sleep.

Transduction

Converting sensory stimuli into neural signals for brain interpretation.

Retina

Contains photoreceptors that detect light.

Fovea

Area of the retina with the highest concentration of cones for sharp vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors that detect color and are concentrated in the fovea.

Rods

Photoreceptors that are sensitive to light and dark, located in the peripheral retina.

Trichromatic Theory

Suggests we perceive color through three types of cones.

Opponent Process Theory

Explains afterimages and color pairings like red-green and blue-yellow.

Conduction Hearing Loss

Occurs due to damage in the outer or middle ear.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Results from damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve.

Sound Localization

Determines the location of a sound based on differences in time and intensity between ears.

Olfactory System

Smell information bypasses the thalamus and goes directly to brain areas linked to emotion and memory.

Gustation (Taste)

Includes five primary tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Gate Control Theory of Pain

Suggests pain signals can be blocked by competing stimuli.

Vestibular Sense

Relies on the inner ear to maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Kinesthesis

Provides feedback about the position and movement of body parts.