Intro to Psych (Module 2)

Nervous System

Composed of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. In charge of relaying information and signals between different parts of the body, with neurons.

Afferent Nerves (Sensory Nerves)

Transports information to the brain through the process: Stimulus → Sensory Receptors → Afferent Nerves → Brain

Efferent Nerves (Motor Nerves)

Carries the brain’s output or response through the process: Brain → Efferent Nerves → Muscles (motor behavior response)

Neutral Networks

Cluster of neurons interconnected to process information by integrating sensory input and motor output.

Peripheral Nervous System

Network of nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the body. Composed of somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Somatic Nervous System

Division of PNS consisting of sensory nerves, functioning to convey information to the CNS, and motor nerves to transmit information to muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Dvision of PNS that communicates with the internal organs. Consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body.

Soma (Cell Body)

Contains cell's nucleus and responsible for cell's health and well-being.

Dendrites

Receive messages from other neurons.

Axon

Transmits information on to additional neurons.

Myelin Sheath

Layer of fat cells that encases and insulates most axons which help speed up the transmission of nerve impulse.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Stimulates firing of neurons and involved in action of muscles, learning, memory.

Dopamine

Mainly inhibits and help control voluntary movement, affecting mood, attention, learning.

Serotonin

Primarily inhibits and regulate sleep and wakefulness, mood, attention, and learning.

Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Help control the preciseness of the signal being carried from one neuron to the next.

Norepinephrine

Inhibits the firing of neurons in the central nervous system, but excites the heart muscle, intestine, and urogenital tract.

Endorphins

Natural opiates mainly stimulating firing of neurons that shields the body from pain and alleviates feelings of pleasure.

Glial cells (Neuroglia)

Provide chemicals neurons need to function and remove dead neurons and excess neurotransmitter substances.

Hindbrain

Made up of smaller structures (medulla, pons, and cerebellum).

Midbrain

Composed of reticular formation (reticular activating system or RAS) and the brainstem.

Forebrain

Consists of the cerebral cortex, limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala.

Frontal lobe

Responsible for human activity such as language, attention, reasoning, planning, goal setting, self monitoring, decision making, judgment, learning strategies, and interpreting others behavior.

Parietal lobes

Receive and interpret somatosensory information.

Occipital lobes

Responsible for visual perception, including colour, form and motion.

Temporal lobes

Human experience is based on usability and analytics (left side) and functions for analytic thoughts, logic, language, and functions for holistic thought, intuition, creativity, and art and music (right side)

Endocrine System

Glands regulating activities of organs by secreting hormones to the bloodstream. These hormones are chemical messengers manufactured by glands.

Pituitary Gland

Known as the master gland. Located at the base of the skull, regulates the secretion of growth hormone and control other glands.

Pineal gland

Located in the brain. Secretes melatonin, regulating sleep and wake cycle.

Thyroid Gland

Located inside the neck and secretes thyroxin that regulates metabolism (how fast the body burns it's available energy)

Pancreas

Controls the blood sugar level by secreting the insulin and glucagons.

Adrenal Glands

One on top of each kidney. Produces cortisol (steroid), regulate moods, energy, and ability to cope with stress. They secrete epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) in response to stress.

Gonads

Sex hormones responsible for primary and secondary sex characteristics.

Biopsychology (Biological Psychology)

Scientific study of biological bases of behavior and the mental processes.

Axon Terminals

Ends of neurons; sends chemical messages (neurotransmitters) to other neurons and cells.

Synapse

Space over chemical message travel to dendrites of the next neuron. Connected with dendrites of another neuron

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with other neurons.

Oxytocin

Promotes bonding, empathy, closeness, it decreases experiences of stress. Released in women during childbirth, breastfeeding, orgasm, cuddling.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and the spinal cord (thin band of neurons that starts from the bottom of the brain stem down throughout the neck, down to the lower back and pelvis).

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Carries messages to and from CNS. It consists of nerves, which are bundles of neuron axons that carry information to PNS.

Brainstem

Allows transfer of information between brain and body, plays a role in automatic functions, heartbeat and breathing.

Cerebellum

Plays a major role in balance and voluntary motor skills.

Neuroplasticity

Ability of brain to alter and develop new neural connections based on experience.

Histamine

Regulates body functions including wakefulness, feeding behavior and motivation. Plays a role in asthma, bronchospasm, mucosal edema and multiple sclerosis.

Medications Affecting