the nervous system
an organ system that communicates to receive, process and co-ordinate responses to information
CNS
made up of the brain and the spinal cord and receives, processes and transmits information
Peripheral NS
the network of nerves that carries info to the CNS
spinal cord
contains sensory and motor pathways
somatic nervous system
the network of nerves within the body connected to sensory receptors and skeletal muscles
autonomic nervous system
regulates visceral muscles, organs, glands and transmits neural messages (it has 3 subdivisions)
sympathetic branch
activates internal muscles and organs and stuff to prepare the body for stress or activity
parasympathetic branch
keeps the body functioning effectively and is dominating when the body is calm
homeostasis
the state of steady internal, physical and chemical conditions maintained by the body
enteric nervous system
the network of neurons found within the walls of the digestion tract
vagus nerve
the longest cranial neve that connects the gut and the brain
neurons
singular nerves that are specialised to receive, process and/or transmit information
sensory neurons
carries information towards the CNS
motor neurons
carries information towards the body
interneurons
in the spinal cord as part of the spinal reflex
electrochemical
communication type used by neurons
dendrites
receives messages from the presynaptic neuron
axons
carries the neural impulse towards the axon terminals
Myelin Sheath
layer of fatty tissue around the axon which make the info move faster and insulates the neuron
axon terminals
branches that contain terminal buttons that have neurochemicals stored in their vesicles
Neural Synapse
the site of connection between two neurons
Synaptic Gap
the gap between the structures of the neural synapse
Neurochemicals
an umbrella term describing the chemical substances that transmit info in the NS
Neurotransmitters
a type of neurochemical that have an effect on one or more postsynaptic neurons
Neuromodulators
a type of neurochemical that have an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons
conscious response
a reaction to sensory stimuli that involves awareness and is initiated by the brain
unconscious response
a reaction to sensory stimuli that does not involve awareness
the spinal reflex
an unconscious response to sensory stimuli that is initiated by the interneurons in the spinal cord independently of the brain
structural neuroimaging
provides scans which show brain structure and anatomy
functional neuroimaging
provides scans of the brain "at work" as well as brain structure
CT scan
multiple two-dimensional x-ray images stacked to show brain structure (cheapest)
MRI scan
uses magnetic and radio fields to take a two-dimensional image of the brain (pricey)
PET scan
uses scanning device to take coloured images of the brain showing its activity (pricey and invasive)
fMRI scan
uses magnetic and radio fields to take two and three-dimensional images of the brain and record its activity
hindbrain
located in the lower back part of the brain
cerebellum
in hindbrain, co-ordinates voluntary fine muscle movements, posture and balance
medulla oblongata
in hindbrain, located near brainstem, regulates autonomic processes like blood pressure
pons
in hindbrain, acts as a bridge between cerebellum and cerebral cortex, involved in sleep, arousal and hearing
midbrain
in centre of brain above brainstem, involved in auditory and visual processes, motor control, pain, sleep and arousal
reticular formation
in midbrain, interconnected network of neurons that filters info into appropriate brain place
forebrain
largest region of brain over the top
cerebrum
in forebrain, large, folded outer layer of the brain divided into four lobes
thalamus
in forebrain, filters incoming info from all but smell
hypothalamus
in forebrain, maintains homeostasis by regulating internal processes like hunger, thirst and body temp
cerebral cortex
thin, neuron dense outer layer of brain
neocortex
second layer of cerebral cortex that stores episodic and somatic memories
hemispheric specialization
both sides work together but in certain activities one side can be more dominant
contralateral functioning
describes how the left brain controls your right body
frontal lobe
contains brocas area and prefrontal cortex, plays a role in higher order mental processes and voluntary motor functions
primary motor cortex
in frontal lobe, initiates voluntary motor functions of skeletal muscles
parietal lobe
functions include spatial awareness and spatial reasoning and processes sensory information
primary somatosensory cortex
in parietal lobe, receives and processes sensory info from skin and body
occipital lobe
functions include visual functions/tasks such as colour interpretation, shape and texture
primary visual cortex
in occipital lobe, responsible for receiving and processing incoming visual information
temporal lobe
receives and processes auditory information, memory formation and language comprehension
primary auditory cortex
in temporal lobe, receives and processes auditory info
synaptic plasticity
the ability of synaptic connections to change overtime
sprouting
the ability of a dendrite or axons to develop new extensions or branches
dendrite spines
dendrite growth
filigree appendages
growth of axon sprouts
rerouting
the ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternate synaptic connection
pruning
the elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated
adaptive plasticity
the brains ability to restore and enhance neural functioning overtime due to experience/injury
long term potentiation
pathways that are used often and have been there a long time have enhance function because frequent high intensity stimulation
long term depression
long lasting, experience dependent weakening of synaptic connections due to irregular activation or low threshold stimulation
developmental plasticity
predetermined changes in the brain that occur in response to aging and maturation
neurodegenerative disease
a term for a group of diseases that progressively affect neurons in the brain
Alzheimers disease
a neurodegenerative disease initially resulting from a loss of neurons in the hippocampus which causes memory loss and personality change
amyloid plaques
proteins that form in the axon terminals that blocks transition at the synapse
neurofibrillary tangles
abnormal build up of protein within neurons that causes cell death
lack of acetylcholine
neurons that produce acetylcholine die
acetylcholine
a neurotransmitter that is involved in arousal, memory, learning, and neuroplasticity)
symptoms of alzyheimes
memory loss, personality change, confusion, repetition