psych test

STUDY BRO STUDY.

nervous system

guides everyday activities such as waking up, breathing, thinking, reading, etc

peripheral nervous system

relays info between the brain + the rest of the body

central nervous system

receives, processes, and responds to sensory info

• consists of the brain and spinal cord

  • the brain controls how we think, learn, move, and feel

  • the spinal cord carries messages back and forth in between the brain & the nerves that run throughout the body

somatic nervous system

• controls muscles

• works with the autonomic nervous system to coordinate body’s internal reactions

autonomic nervous system

• controls internal organs

• works with the somatic nervous system to coordinate body’s internal reactions

sympathetic nervous system

• known to respond to dangerous or stressful situations

parasympathetic nervous system

• part of the ANS

• quiets/relaxes body after dangerous situations, conserves energy

spinal cord

• transmits info between the brain and peripheral nervous system

brain

• controls thoughts, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, and hunger

sensory neurons

• activates by sensory input from the environment

motor neurons

• transmits cells in nervous system from brain to muscles

cell body

• aka, the soma

• part of the neuron that receives info from the dendrites

dendrites

• look like tree roots

• neuron filters that receive incoming messages

axon

• the fiber that carries information away from the cell body

myelin sheath

• the myelin sheath is an insulation layer that is formed around nerves which include in the brain + in the spinal cord

terminal branches of axon/axon terminal

• these charge electrical impulses

• consist of chemical messages (in the form of neurotransmitters)

neuroplasticity

• the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury

• without neuroplasticity, we would not be able to do things that make us human

  • for instance, learning, developing, and forming memories

pituitary gland

• pea sized “globe” hanging from the base of the brain

  • master gland of the endocrine system that controls the actions of all other glands

    • regulates growth. if too little, growth hormone is released by the pituitary gland during childhood, person may remain smaller than average

pineal gland

• was once considered useless

• gland in the brain that helps regulate body rhythms + sleep

  • oxytocin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland that plays a broad role in regulating pregnancy, parenthood, sexual activity, social bonding, trust, and even reducing stress reactions

thyroid gland

• located in the neck, regulates metabolism

  • rate at which energy is produced + expanded

adrenal glands

• located under the back of the rib cage atop kidneys

  • adrenal medulla (inner core of adrenal glands) is the source of epinephrine + norepinephrine

EEG (electroencephalogram)

• electrical impulses from the brain are detected and sent to an electroence photograph, amplifying weak signals

• during the procedure, electrodes w/ small metal discs are put onto the scalp to detect electrical charges from brain cell activity

CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomograph)

CT scans provide clearer images than x-rays, using computer-enhanced x-ray images on the brain or body

PET Scan (Positron emission Tomography)

a high resolution imaging that captures brain activity by attaching radioactive particles to glucose molecules

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

these employ magnets which produce strong magnetic fields that force protons in the body to match up w/field.

• they produce 3D images of the brain/body

Functional MRI

this uses MRI tech to record activity levels in various areas of the brain, detecting changes associated w/ blood flow

Lesion

these disrupt the way one’s brain works, causing a wide range of symptoms.

• disruption, weakness, and confusion.

• happens because of injuries or medical conditions

Brain Stimulation

it can treat mental disorders

• these therapies activate/inhibit the brain w/electricity

• electricity is provided through electrodes that are implanted in the brain, or indirectly through electrodes on the scalp

acetylcholine (ACh)

excitatory neurotransmitter

• participates in movement, autonomic function, learning + memory

dopamine

excitatory neurotransmitter

• participates in motivation, reward, planning of behavior

serotonin

inhibitory neurotransmitter

• participates in mood, appetite, + sleep

norepinephrine

inhibitory neurotransmitter

• participates in arousal, vigilance, + mood

GABA

inhibitory neurotransmitter

• major inhibitory effect in the central nervous system, participates in learning + memory

glutamate

excitatory neurotransmitter

• major excitatory effect in the CNS, participates in learning + memory

endorphins

excitatory neurotransmitter

• inhibit transmission of pain signals, responding to pain / stress

excitatory signal

those that prompt one neuron to share information with the next through an action potential

inhibitory signal

something that prevents the generation of an electrical signal called an “action potential” in the receiving neuron 

reuptake

the absorption by a presynaptic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has secreted

sensory neurons

the nerve cells that are activated by sensory input from the environment

interneurons

carry sensory information and regulate motor activity

motor neurons

these transmit spinal cord impulses to skeletal/smooth muscles, directly controlling all of our muscle movements

glial cells

cells that provide chemical/physical support to neurons, maintaining their environments

endocrine system

a system made up of glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood stream

differences of hormones / neurotransmitters

hormones are found in the blood stream and impact internal activity + visible behaviors such as puberty, personality, dwarfism, jet lag, etc. hormones are found in the synaptic cleft

neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that the body cannot function without. neurotransmitters flow through the brain

traumatic brain injury/concussion

• the frontal areas of the brain, including the frontal lobes, are damaged (also impacts hippocampus)

• some people experience persistent systems such as memory and concentration issues, mood swings, personality changes, etc

• symptoms can last for several weeks to months

stroke/aneurism

• strokes impact the brain stem, cerebellum, limbic system, and cerebrum

• aneurysms occur anywhere in the brain, and most form in the major arteries along base of school

epilepsy

the temporal lobes are the areas of the bran that commonly give rise to seizures

• the middle of both temporal lobes are the source to seizures/prone to damage & scarring

Parkinson’s

• Brain damage takes place in the substantia nigra (SN)

  • the SN is the area that controls movement

• Parkinson’s leads to uncontrollable movements (shaking, stiffness, balance issues)

• men are more likely to get Parkinson’s than women

Encephalitis

headaches, stiff neck, sensitive to light, mental confusion, and seizures. impacts the temporal lobes

Meningitis

impacts the brain and spinal cord. inflammation of protective membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord

multiple sclerosis

impacts the brain/spinal cord (CNS). autoimmune disease, immune cells attack nerve cells, inflames the myelin sheath. damage causes neurological symptoms- loss of balance, vision, muscle weakness

headache

impacts the hypothalamus + interconnected brain stem areas. mechanisms activate specific nerves that impact muscles + blood vessels. nerves send pain signals to brain, causing the headache

hemispherectomy

a radical surgical procedure where the diseased half of the brain is completely removed, partially removed and fully disconnected or just disconnected from the normal hemisphere.

frontal lobe

located behind the forehead, responsible for voluntary movement

motor cortex

located in frontal lobe, generates signals to direct the movement of the body

broca’s area

located in frontal cortex, plans process of speech by interacting with the temporal cortex

parietal lobe

near back/top of head, receives and processes sensory input

sensory cortex

located in the parietal lobe, processes and makes sense out of info gathered with the 5 senses

temporal lobe

located behind the ears, interprets sound from ears ad recognizes and uses language

auditory cortex

located in the temporal lobe, processes auditory information

Wernicke’s Area

located in the superior temporal gyrus and

aids with comprehension

Occipital Lobe

located in the back of the skull, visuospatial processing, distance + depth, perception, color determination, face/object recognition, memory formation

Visual Cortex

located in the occipital lobe, receives, segment + integrates visual info

Corpus Callosum

located in the cerebrum, ensures both sides of the brain communicate + send signals to each other

Cingulate gyrus

located in the medial aspect of the cerebral hemisphere, helps regulate emotions and pain

Nucleus Accumbens

located in the ventral forebrain, neural interface between motivation + action

Hippocampus

located in the temporal lobe, long term memory formation + memory retrieval

Amygdala

located in the medial temporal lobe, regulates autonomic + endocrine functions

Hypothalamus

located in the undersurface of the brain, manages body temp, hunger + thirst, mood, blood pressure, sex drive, and sleep

Pituitary Gland

located in the base of the brain, growth + sexual reproduction

pineal gland

located in the midline of the brain, receives info about the state of light-dark cycle from the environment

Thalamus

located in the near center of the brain, processes info from the body’s senses- its like a relay station

Basil ganglia

located in the brain hemispheres, is responsible for motor control and other roles— motor learning, executive functions, and behaviors + functions

Cerebellum

located behind the spinal cord + brain connection. responsible for muscle control, balance + movement

Reticular Formation

located deep within the brain stem, primary regulator of arousal and consciousness

Pons

located in the brain stem, above the medulla. handles unconsciousness processes + jobs like sleep-wake cycles + breathing

Medulla oblongata

located in the bottom of the brain, controls vital processes like heartbeat, breathing, + blood pressure

Spinal Cord

runs through the highest neck bone (1 vertebra to L1 vertebra), carries nerve signals from brain to body + vice versa