Chapter 3 - Introduction to Psychology

What is the Central Nervous System?

Made up of the brain and spinal cord - approximately 99% of our nerve cells are found here. The brain consist of around 100 billion neurons.

What is the Peripheral Nervous System?

The network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to the other parts of the body.

What two systems are made up of the Peripheral Nervous System?

Somatic Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System

What is the Somatic Nervous System

Consists of the Sensory nerves and Motor nerves

What are the Sensory nerves?

Carry information from our skin and muscles to the spinal cord aboutt conditions such as pain and temperature

What are the Motor nerves?

Sends signals from the spinal cord to the muscles (tells muscles what to do). These are active when you experience a reflex

What is the Autonomic Nervous System?

Closely associated with the spinal cord, controls internal organs.

What two systems is the Autonomic Nervous System divided into?

Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System

What is the Sympathetic Nervous System

Generates energy for the body (fight or flight): Increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, sweating, decreases digestive activity. Prepares the body for vigorous activity

What is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

Conserves energy. Decreases HR, BP, respiration & increases digestive activity. Promotes relaxation

What makes up the structure of a Neuron?

1. Dendrites

2. Soma

3. Axon

4. Myelin Sheath

5. Terminal Boutons/Axon Terminals

What are Dendrites?

Receives information from other neurons

What is the Soma?

Cell body, contains the nucleus

What is the Axon?

Transmits signal through neuron

What is the Myelin Sheath?

Insulates axon, increases transmission of impulses

What are Terminal Boutons/Axon Terminals?

Secretes neurotransmitters & transmits impulses to other neurons

What are Neurotransmitters (NTs)?

Chemicals which control certain aspects of our behavior

What is Dopamine?

A NT that helped to control voluntary movement and affects sleep, mood, and personality traits such as “Extraversion”

What can too much dopamine cause?

Schizophrenia

What does not enough dopamine cause?

Parkinson’s Disease

What is Serotonin?

Key role in maintaining mood balance

What can low levels of Serotonin lead to?

Depression and Anxiety

How can one get too much serotonin?

Occurs if you take certain prescription, OTC, or illegal drugs, or herbal supplements (i.e., they take over ad block the receptor sites intended for serotonin, thereby causing the user to have the effects of too much serotonin, such as irritability, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations).

What is Acetylcholine?

A NT that plays a role in arousal, memory, and learning

What does too little acetylcholine lead to?

Alzheimer’s disease which causes declines in cognitive ability and memory impairment, disorientation, confusion

How many regions is the brain organized in?

3

What are the three regions the brain is organized in?

1. Forebrain

2. Midbrain

3. Hindbrain

What is in the Hindbrain?

Cerebellum, Medulla & Pons

What is the Hindbrain?

The medulla & pons are in the brainstem, which relays sensory & motor information to and from the rest of the brain and a significant injury here usually results in death (i.e., the medulla controls your unconscious functions, such as breathing and heart rate)

What is the Cerebellum (little brain)?

Involved with the coordination of movement and is critical in equilibrium and balance. Controls our fine movements and is affected by alcohol

Where is the Midbrain located?

Lies between hind & forebrain

What is the Midbrain?

Concerned with sensory processes and the control of voluntary movements. Signals through this area play a major role in sleep & wakefulness

What is the Forebrain?

Largest & most complicated part of the brain, made up four areas (lobes)

What are the four lobes the Forebrain is made up of?

1. Frontal Lobe

2. Temporal Lobe

3. Occipital Lobe

4. Parietal Lobe

What is the Frontal Lobe (Primary Motor Cortex)?

Involved with motor control and is the center of thought and awareness (Cerebral Cortex), personality and intelligence

What is the Temporal Lobe (Primary Auditory Cortex)?

Area associated with hearing, language processing, & memory

What is Occipital Lobe (Primary Visual Cortex)?

The area where we register sight

What is the Parietal Lobe (Primary Somatosensory Cortex)?

The area where we register touch

What is the Thalamus?

The “sensory relay center” in the brain

What is the Limbic System?

Made up of three related structures

What are the three related structures the Limbic System is made up of?

1. Hypothalamus

2. Hippocampus

3. Amygdala

Where is the Hypothalamus located?

Under the Thalamus

What is the Hypothalamus?

Controls the regulation of basic biological drives (The 4 Fs)

What are the 4 Fs?

1. Fight

2. Flight

3. Food

4. Sex

What is the Hippocampus?

Primarily concerned with learning & memory

What is Amygdala?

Primarily concerned with emotions/aggression