AP Psychology - The Nervous & Endocrine System

Nervous System

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

Somatic Nervous System

the division of the PNS that controls the body's skeletal muscles

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

the part of the PNS that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

Division of the ANS that responds to stressful situations by initiating the fight-or-flight response and arouses the body

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Division of the ANS that calms the body, conserving its energy

Reflex

Simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus

Pathway

1) Sensory Cell
2) Sensory Neuron
3) Spinal Cord (interneuron)
4) Motor Neuron
5) Muscle Cell

Neural Networks

interconnected neural cells
-With experience, networks can learn, as feedback strengthens or inhibits connections that produce certain results
-Computer simulations of neural networks show analogous learning.

Lesion

tissue destruction

Brain Lesion

naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity
-measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

CT scan (computed tomography)

series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

PET scan (positron emission tomography)

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue
-show brain anatomy

Stimulation

electrical stimulation of brain involves sending a weak electric current into a brain structure

Brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain
-beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull
-responsible for automatic survival functions

Medulla

breathing, heart rate, digestion, other vital refleces

Pons

help coordinate movements on left and right sides of body

Reticular Formation (RAS)

network of neurons in brainstem involved in sleep, arousal, and attention

Cerebellum

coordinates voluntary movement and balance

Cerebellum Lesions

Jerky, exaggerated movements
Difficulty walking
Loss balance
Shaky hands

Thalamus

relay station of brain; process most info to and from higher brain centers; sends info to appropriate body parts (except smell)

Hypothalamus

contains nuclei involved in:
-sexual behavior
-hunger, thirst
-sleep
-water and salt balance
-body temperature regulation
-circadian rhythms
-role in hormone secretion

Amygdala

identify basic emotion form facial expression; enables emotional response

Hippocampus

structure that contributes to formation of memories
-damage implicated in the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's

Cerebral Coretx

intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that cover cerebral hemisphere
-body's ultimate control and information processing center

Glial Cells

cells in nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Frontal Lobes

involved in speaking and muscle movement and in making plans and judgements

Parietal Lobes

include sensory cortex and processing somatic information

Occipital Lobes

include the visual areas, which receive visual information form the opposite visual field

Temporal Lobes

include the auditory areas

Motor Cortex

area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movement

Sensory Cortex

area at the front of the parietal lobe that registers an processes body sensations

Association Areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions
-involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's Area or to Wernicke's Area

Broca's Area

area of the left frontal love that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

Wernicke's Area

area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension and expression

Broca's Aphasia

disrupt speech

Wernicke's Aphasia

disrupt understanding

Plasticity

brain capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage (especially in children) and in experiments on the effects of experience on brain development

Hemispherectomy

surgical removal of an entire cerebral hemisphere

Corpus Callosum

large band of neural fibers; connects 2 brain hemispheres; carries messages between hemispheres

Split Brain

condition in which 2 hemispheres are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers between them

Acetylcholine

Motor control; involved in learning, memory, sleeping, and dreaming

Dopamine

Reward and motivation; motor control over voluntary movement

Epinephrine

Made from norepinephrine; involved in the activation of the sympathetic nervous system

Norepinephrine

Arousal and vigilance; eating behavior

Serotonin

Emotional states, mood, and impulsiveness; dreaming

GABA

The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS

Glutamate

The major excitation neurotransmitter in the CNS

Substance P

Cause swelling of the blood capillaries and the release of histamine

Pituitary Gland

under the influence of the hypothalamus, regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Oxytocin

stimulates contractions of uterus and mammary glands

Growth Hormone

stimulates the physical development of bones and muscles

Adrenal Glands

pair of endocrine glands above the kidneys; secrete the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which helps to arouse the body during stress

Cortisol

regulate metabolism and response to stress

Insulin

Pancreas; reduce blood sugar level

Glucagon

Pancreas; increase blood sugar level

Thyroxine

Thyroid; regulates metabolism and growth

Estrogen

Ovary; female sex hormone

Testosterone

Testis; androgen; male sex hormone

Endocrine system

Body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Agonist

A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter

Antagonist

A chemical that fits the receptor poorly and blocks the neurotransmitter, but produces no response

Parkinson's Disease

Dopamine deficiency

Mania

Dopamine abundance

Depression

Serotonin deficiency

Alzheimer's Disease

Acetylcholine deficiency

Endorphin

Control pain and pleasure; released in response to pain

Huntington's Disease

GABA deficiency

Epileptic Seizure

Glutamate abundance + GABA deficiency