Psychology chapter 2 ``

Neuroscience

scientific study of the nervous system, including the brain and its relationship to behavior and mental processes

The neuron

basic building block of the nervous system that

Neuron Parts

Dendrites

Cell body/ Soma

Axon

Myelin sheath

Axon terminals

Neuron Sequence

Dendrites-cell body- axon-axon terminals

Dendrites

Receive information from other neurons

Cell body/ Soma

Contains the nucleus and maintains the cell

Axon

Carries neural signals away from the cell body

Myelin sheath

Fatty covering that helps neural signals travel more efficiently along the axon

Axon terminals

located at the end of the axon and release chemical messengers

How neurons communicate

Dendrites receive signal

Action potential travels down axon

axon terminals release neurotransmitters

neurotransmitters cross the synapse

next neuron receives the signal

Action Potential

the electrical signal that travels down the axon

Neurons generally follow an…

all or none principle

Synapse

the junction/fap between communicating neurons

Neurons communicate across this space using chemical messengers called….

neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by neurons

Types of Neurotransmitters

Dopamine

Serotonin

GABA

Glutamate

Endorphins

Dopamine

movement

motivation

reward

learning

Serotonin

mood

sleep

appetite

regulatory functions

Gaba

Has an inhibitory effect on neural activity

Gutamate

has an excitatory role and is important in learning and memory

Endorphins

pain regulation

pleasure

Agonist

Substance that mimics or enhances the action of a neurotransmitter

Antagonist

Substance that blocks or reduces the action of neurotransmitter

How many parts is the Nervous system divided into?

Parasympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

Central nervous system

Brain

Spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous system

Everything outside the brain and spinal cord

Somatic nervous system

part of the peripheral nervous system Controls:

voluntary movement

skeletal muscles

carries sensory information

Autonomic Nervous System

controls involuntary functions:

heart rate

digestion

blood pressure

Sympathetic Nervous system

Prepares body for fight-or-flight

THINK: SPEED UP

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Helps body return to calmer state

THINK: PEACE/CALM

Endocrine System

communicates using hormones

Hormones

Chemical messengers released by glands into the bloodstream

Brainstem

important for basic life-supporting functions:

breathing

heart rate

arousal

Cerebellum

balance

coordination

fine motor control

Thalamus

acts as an important relay station for sensory information

Hypothalamus

REGULATES:

hunger

thirst

body temp

sexual behavior

hormonal regulation

homeostasis

Cerebral Cortex

outer layer of the brain

How many major lobes?

Four:

Frontal

Parietal

Occipital

Temporal

Frontal lobe:

planning

decision making

problem solving

Parietal Lobe:

touch

body sensation

spatial processing

Temporal lobe:

hearing

language

memory

Occipital lobe:

Vision

Brain hemispheres

communicate through the corpus callosum

How many brain hemispheres”

2

What does the brain hemisphere communicate through?

Corpus callosum

Neuroplasticity

brains ability to change and adapt due to:

experience

learning

development

injury

Which nervous system division is responsible for fight or flight?

Sympathetic

Which division is responsible for rest and digest?

parasympathetic

which brain lobe can processes visual information?

occipital

which brain structure is important for balance and coordination?

cerebellum

what is the difference between an agonist and an antagonist?

agonist enhances/mimics neurotransmitter actions; antagonist reduces/ blocks neurotransmitter actions

what is neuroplasticity?

the brain’s ability to change and adapt