ATAR 11 - Psychology, The Human Brain

Peripheral Nervous System

Autonomic and Somatic

Autonomic Nervous System

Involuntary, Sympathetic and Parasympathetic division

Somatic Nervous System

Voluntary, Sensory and Motor Nervous System

Sympathetic Division

Arousing

Parasympathetic Division

Calming

Sensory Nervous System

Sensory input

Motor Nervous System

Motor output

Motor Neurons

Send signals from central nervous system to organs, glands and muscles - they create actions within these systems and structures

Sensory Neurons

Sends information based on internal (ie. organs) and external (ie. temperature) stimuli to CNS

Interneurons

Transmit information between both types of neurons. Can act as intermediary in reflex actions, rather than signals going to CNS

Cell Body (Soma)

Section of the cell that contains nucleus (including DNA), controls function of the cell.

Dendrites

Fine structures that stretch out towards neighbouring neurons. Receive neurotransmitters and convert them back into electrical signals from adjoining neurons and transmit that signal along the axon.

Axon

Structure of neuron that transmits signals from dendrites to axon terminals. It is covered in a myelin sheath.

Myelin Sheath

Acts as an insulator for the axon and is made up of fats.

Nodes of Ranvier

These are the gaps in the myelin sheath that help speed up the transmission of nerve impulses.

Synapse

Is the space between two neurons. It is the area where neurotransmitters cross.

Axon Terminals

Are similar to dendrites but take the message away from the cell body and convert it into neurotransmitters which are passed on to the next neuron.

Neurotransmitters

A chemical message that sends messages across the synapse to specific neurons with certain receptors.

Forebrain

The largest and most developed part of the brain and is responsible for how we think, feel, behave, and how we interact with our environment. It contains the cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex.

Thalamus

Filters information gathered from senses (Except smell), and sends it to the rest of the brain to be processed.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hormones that control things like thirst, hunger, internal temperature and libido.

Cerebrum

It has two hemispheres (left and right) which control different parts of the body and often referred to as 'grey matter'.

Cerebral Cortex

Between the two hemispheres and allows messages to pass between the two.

Left Hemisphere

Controls the right side of the body, involved in language-based tasks, analytical thinking and sequenced-logical thinking.

Right Hemisphere

Controls the left side of the body, involved in visual-spacial tasks (like art and music) and detects and interprets emotions, gestures and facial expressions.

Frontal Lobe

At the front of the brain and controls voluntary movements, abstract thinking, regulation of behaviour and emotions and personality.

Occipital Lobe

At the back of the brain, receives and processes visual information like colour, shapes, motion and patterns.

Temporal Lobe

At the base of the brain, receives and processes auditory information like speech and sounds.

Parietal Lobe

At the top of the brain, integrates sensory information like touch and temperature, positions body and limbs in space (balance), and controls muscles movements.

Midbrain

Above hindbrain, below cerebrum, acts as a relay for signals from sense and sends them to the correct part of the brain.

Hindbrain

At the base of the brain, controls body functions that we have no conscious control over (breathing, heartbeat), coordinates voluntary muscle movements and reflex actions, contains the cerebellum and medulla.

Cerebellum

Receives information from sensory systems, spinal cords and other parts of the brain, regulates balance and fine muscle movements.

Medulla

Controls heart rate, breathing, digestion (etc.)