psychology nervous system

CNS (Central Nervous System)

Part of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord.

PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)

Comprises all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Key functions of the CNS

Input, processing, and output.

Input (CNS)

To receive information.

Processing (CNS)

To interpret information based on past experiences.

Output (CNS)

Guide actions.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements through its control of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Controls involuntary muscles and internal organs.

Functions of the Somatic Nervous System

Transmits sensory information and sends motor commands for voluntary movement.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Regulates bodily functions and prepares for heightened arousal (e.g., fight or flight response).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Calms the body and controls 'rest and digest' functions.

Neuron

Specialized cells that receive, transmit, and process information.

Cell Body (Soma)

Contains the nucleus and controls the activities of the neuron.

Dendrite

Extensions of the cell body that receive neurotransmitters and convert them into electrical impulses.

Axon

Long projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Axon Terminals

End points of the axon that store and release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Neurotransmission

The process where neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft and transmit signals between neurons.

Sensory Neurons

Receive sensory information from the environment and carry messages to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Communicate information from the CNS to muscles, enabling movement.

Interneurons

Link between sensory and motor neurons, coordinating reflex responses.

Differences between Neurons: Sensory Neurons

Carry nerve impulses from receptors to the CNS, with long dendrites and short axons.

Differences between Neurons: Motor Neurons

Carry nerve impulses from the CNS to effectors, with short dendrites and long axons.

Differences between Neurons: Interneurons

Located in the CNS, have short dendrites and varying axon lengths.

Neural Networks

Formed when axons from one neuron link with the dendrites of another neuron.

Action Potential

The electrochemical signal that travels along the nerve fiber.

Synaptic Cleft

The space between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synapse and relay messages between neurons.

Direction of Neural Transmission

One-way transmission, from dendrites to axon terminals.

Role of the Synapse

Converts electrical nerve impulses into chemical signals and back to electrical signals.

Electrochemical Signal

Combination of electrical impulses and neurotransmitters communicating across neurons.

Rest and Digest response

Functions controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system.

Flight or Fight response

A response regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Neurotransmitter Release

Triggered by electrical nerve impulses reaching the axon terminal.

Receptors (in neurotransmission)

Locations on the post-synaptic cell that bind neurotransmitters.

Homeostasis

The state of balance maintained by the parasympathetic nervous system.

Neural Transmission Process

Involves action potentials, neurotransmitter release, and receptor binding.

Functions of the Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions and homeostasis of the body's internal environment.

Motor Commands

Messages sent from CNS to muscles for voluntary actions.

Sensory Functions of Somatic NS

Transmits sensory information to the CNS.

Functions of the Parasympathetic NS

Calms bodily functions and restores energy after arousal.

Features of Neurons

Specialized for receiving, processing, and transmitting information.

Neural Impulses

Messages transmitted along neurons as electrochemical signals.

Relay function of PNS

Carries information from the body to the CNS and motor messages from the CNS to the body.

Neuronal Connections

Links between neurons that facilitate neural communication.

The role of neurotransmitters

They act as chemical messengers that allow neuron communication.

Importance of myelin sheath

Insulates axons and increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission.

Electrical Signal Transmission

Occurs along the axon in the form of action potentials.