Psychology U3 AOS1 Nervous System

nervous system

an organ system containing a network of specialised cells called neurons that allow for communication within the body

central nervous system

the brain and the spinal cord, processes information received from the body’s internal and external environments and formulates appropriate responses

brain

interprets sensory information received through neural pathways and sends motor information through the body to the peripheral nervous system

spinal cord

nerve tissue that connects the brain to various areas of the body

peripheral nervous system

neurons that are not within the brain and spinal cord, carries motor information to the muscles, organs and gland

somatic nervous system

enables voluntary body movement of the skeletal muscles and receives sensory information from the environment

skeletal muscles

muscles that are connected to the skeleton and can be voluntarily moved - somatic nervous system

visceral muscles

muscles that are not connected to skeleton and do not require conscious control - autonomic nervous system

autonomic nervous system

regulates visceral muscles, organs and glands and transmits neural messages about their activity, contains sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric

sympathetic nervous system

activates internal muscles, organs and glands to prepare the body for activity, releases hormones, and suppresses other physiological functions

parasympathetic nervous system

keeps the body functioning effectively, maintains homeostasis. Reverses the actions of the sympathetic nervous system

conscious response

any reaction to a sensory stimulus that involves awareness and is initiated by the brain - usually voluntary, goal directed, and intentional. Somatic nervous system

unconscious response

A reaction to sensory stimulus that does not involve awareness, *usually* performed independently of the brain - usually involuntary, automatic. Autonomic nervous system

spinal reflex

an unconscious response to sensory stimuli that is initiated by interneurons in the spinal cord independently of the brain in order to quickly remove danger

neuron

a specialised nerve cell that receives, processes and transmits information. communication within neurons occurs via electrical signals, whereas communication between neurons occurs via neurochemicals

synapse vs synaptic gap

The space between two neurons is the synaptic gap, and the synapse is the area in which they communicate, involving axon terminals and dendrites

neurotransmittor

Chemicals that have an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons, and enable rapid communication between two neurons, binding to a complimentary shaped receptor site

inhibitory neurotransmitter

decreases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential, e.g. GABA

excitatory neurotransmitter

increases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential, e.g. glutamate

GABA

an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Regulates postsynaptic activation and overexcitation of neurons, which helps to reduce anxiety

Glutamate

an excitatory neurotransmitter. Plays an important role in learning and memory, strengthening neural connections

neuromodulator

chemical molecules that have an effect on *multiple* postsynaptic neurons, influencing neural activity on a larger and slower scale. change the responsivity of specific receptor sites, or patterns of transmission

dopamine

a neuromodulator that can have an excitatory or inhibitory effect on the postsynaptic neuron, has an important role in voluntary movements, pleasure, and reward-based learning

seratonin

a neuromodulator with an inhibitory effect, affects mood regulation and stabilisation, perception, the sleep-wake cycle and memory

synaptic plasticity

the ability of synaptic connections to change overtime in response to activity or experience, affecting learning and memory

sprouting

the ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches, enables the formation of new synaptic connections  (synaptogenesis)

rerouting

the ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternate synaptic connection, restoring brain function

pruning

the elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated, accommodating for stronger and more essential synaptic connections

long-term potentiation

long-lasting strengthening of neural pathways, resulting in the enhanced functioning of neural pathways due to frequent coactivation

long-term depression

long-lasting weakening of neural pathway, due to irregular coactivation, which results in only the important connections being used, increasing overall efficiency