Unit 3 Psych

Frontal Lobe

Voluntary movement and higher cognitive functions.

Parietal lobe

Sensory processing (not visual)

Occipital lobe

Visual processing.

Cerebellum

Coordination and balance

Brainstem

Involuntary functions

Temporal lobe

Auditory processing, language comprehension (left)

Cerebrum

Covered by cerebral cortex, complex functions.

Thalamus

Filter incoming sensory information, role in sleep/wake cycle.

Hypothalamus

Links NS and Endocrine system, regulates homeostasis.

Amygdala

Emotional reactions and memories.

Reticular formation

Role in sleep/wake cycle, works with thalamus to influence consciousness.

Pons

Regulates sleep and arousal.

Medulla

Controls vital survival functions.

Divisions of the Nervous System

CNS: Brain and Spinal Cord, PNS: Autonomic (Sympathetic, Parasympathetic, and Enteric), Somatic

Central Nervous System

Process and transmit messages neural messages from CNS to PNS to coordinate responses.

Brain

Control centre, coordinate mental processes and behaviour, regulates bodily activity.

Spinal Cord

Cable of nerve tissue from brain to lower back. Connects the brain and body (CNS and PNS). Sensory tracts (afferent) from PNS to brain, and motor tracts (efferent) from CNS to body.

Peripheral Nervous System

Every neuron in body outside of CNS, transmits signals between CNS and body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Involuntary control of body processes, regulates visceral muscles/organs/glands, sends messages to CNS about their activity, not connected to skeleton, no conscious control.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Dominant when under threat, prepares and mobilises body to face stressor, Fight/Flight/Freeze response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Dominant day-to-day, maintains homeostasis and bodily resources, rest and digest.

Somatic Nervous System

Voluntary movement, carries sensory info to the CNS, transmits motor from CNS to skeletal muscles.

Nervous System

A network of neurons responsible for everything we think, feel, and do. Communication system: receives info, processes info, coordinates response.

Motor Neurons

CNS to PNS (efferent pathway) (exiting home base)

Sensory Neurons

PNS to CNS (afferent)

Interneurons

Transfer between sensory and motor neurons

Long-term Potentiation (LTP)

Long lasting experience depended strengthening of neural connections, co-activated, increase in receptors and receptor sensitivity on post synaptic neurons.

Long-term Depression (LTD)

Long lasting experience dependent weakening of neural connections, less co-activation, decrease in receptor sensitivity on post synaptic neuron.

Neuroplasticity

Brains ability to change in response to experience/environmental simulation.

Synaptic plasticity

Ability for synapses to change in response to neural activity (level of strength and efficiency).

Conscious response

Voluntary, deliberate, initiated by CNS (brain) and performed by PNS (somatic NS division).

Unconscious response

Involuntary, not requiring conscious awareness, performed by body without the brain, coordinated by autonomic NS.

Spinal Reflex Arc

Interneurons in spinal cord without brain, involves skeletal muscles NOT visceral organs or glands meaning it is a somatic process, involuntary response to certain stimuli.

Components of a neuron

Terminal buttons, Axon terminals, Axon, Myelin Sheath, Soma/Cell body, Nucleus, Dendrites.

Neural Transmission (steps)

1. Electrical signal travels down the neuron

2. Neurochemicals released into the synaptic gap

3. Influences whether or not next neuron will fire, and continue the electrical signal

Neurochemicals

Chemicals produced by neurons that carry messages to other neurons or cells within the nervous system. Can be divided into Neuromodulators and Neurotransmitters. Bind to receptor sites of post-synaptic neuron. Impact response of post-synaptic neuron (trigger or inhibit response).

Neurotransmitters

Affect one or two post-synaptic neurons, carry messages between neurons across synaptic gap, must fit post-synaptic receptor site to be received.

Functions of Neurotransmitters

Excitatory and Inhibitory

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Stimulates the brain, increases likelihood of post-synaptic neuron firing.

Examples of excitatory neurotransmitters

Glutamate, Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Does not stimulate brain, decreases likelihood of post-synaptic neuron firing, if it does it is slower/weaker.

Examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters

GABA, Glycine