AP Psych

Nervous System

the system in which the brain communicates through a series of electrochemical signals, passed on through spine, then rest to body

Central Nervous System

most communication is sent to the brain through CNS

brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

Anything outside of brain

Takes messages and connect to brain and central system

somatic v autonomic

Somatic Nervous System

Peripheral

Voluntary muscle movement through motor neurons once commands are sent from the brain

What we willingly do

Sympathetic Nervous System

Somatic

Arouses the fight or flight

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Somatic

Calms down slowly

Rests and Digests

Autonomic Nervous System

Peripheral

Things that we do not need to think about

Spinal Cord Reflex

A quick message of danger that does not go to brain

Carried from skin receptors along sensory neurons to spinal cord, passed to motor neurons to muscles in arms and hands

Sensory/Afferent Neurons

Carry incoming info from sense receptors to the CNS

Motor/Efferent Neurons

Carry outgoing info from CNS to muscles and glands

Action Potential

Action required to send neurotransmitters

Generated by + charged atom movements

Depolarization

the process where a neuron's internal charge becomes less negative (or more positive) as positive ions rush into the cell, moving it closer to the threshold needed to fire an action potential

Reuptake

Molecule gets back into terminal, waits for next action potential

MAO

Protein that cleans out the synaptic gap

MAO Inhibitor

Allows for molecule to find another receptor, does not clean synaptic gap

Ex: Antidepressants, SSRIs

SSRI

Prevents the molecule from going back into vesicle, going to open receptor (serotonin)

Agonist

Synthetic that binds and mimics the receptors in the synapse

Antagonist

Binds and blocks the receptors in the synapse

Lock and Key Mechanism

Neurotransmitters binds to the receptors of the receiving neuron in a key-lock mechanism

Endocrine System

Sends responses slowly through bloodstream

Affects the development of the brain and body, maturity, mood, feelings, and behavior

The signals take longer to leave=lingering feelings and moods

Communication carried out by hormones synthesized with sets of glands

Hormones

Chemicals synthesized by endo glands which are secreted in bloodstream

Adrenal Glands

Above kidneys, release adrenaline in fight or flight situations

Consist of Adrenal medulla and cortex

Medulla-secretes during stress

Cortex- regulates salt and carb metabolism

Pancreas

Below lungs, release insulin

Use/storage glucose and energy levels

Thyroid/Parathyroid

Organ controls hormones that boost or reduce metabolism and calcium rate

pituitary gland

Release growth and other hormones that most severely impact your behavior

master gland

Releases hormones that control other glands

Testes/Ovaries

Release testosterone and estrogen which impact s3xu@l behavior, muscle and body fat, aggression, and more

Gonads

Sex glands that regulate bodily development and maintain reproductive organs in adults

Brainstem

Oldest part of brain

Responsible for automatic survival functions

Medulla

Base of brainstem

Controls heartbeat and breathing

Reticular Formation

Nerve network in brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

Alerts for sensory info, puts in state of arousal, and fires sympathetic

Thalamus

Top of brainstem

Directs messages to sensory areas in cortex and transmits replies to cerebellum and medulla

Cerebellum

rear of brainstem

coordinates voluntary movements and balance

The Limbic System

Emotions such as aggression

System of neural structures at border of brainstem and cerebrum

Amygdala

2 almond shaped clusters

Fear and anger

Hypothalamus

Below thalamus

Hunger, body temp, control of emotions

Releases dopamine-reward center

Helps to govern endo system through pit gland