3.6

Autonomic division

control of autonomic function (breathing, heartrate, etc.)

What does the autonomic division control

smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands

Sympathetic subdivision

“fight or flight”; prepares the body for emergencies

Parasympathetic subdivision

“rest and digest”; relaxes the body

Characteristics of the sympathetic division

- increased heart rate

- raised BP

- dilates pupils

- slows digestion and urine production

What neurotransmitter(s) is/are involved in the sympathetic division

norepinephrine and epinephrine

Characteristics of the parasympathetic division

- lowered heart rate

- increased digestion

- permits defecation and urination

What neurotransmitter(s) is/are involved in the parasympathetic division

acetylcholine

Nerve

contains axons of many neurons wrapped together in a protective sheath and carries information either to or from the CNS

Cranial Nerves

12 pairs that connect directly to the brain

Spinal Nerves

31 pairs that connect to the spinal cord

How do sensory neurons relay signals up spinal cord to be processed in brain

first order neurons receive signals and send them to the second order neurons which extend into the spinal cord to the brain and deliver the info to the thalamus, where the third order neurons relay the information from the thalamus to the correct processing region of the brain

Which side of the body does the left brain control

right side

Which side of the body does the right brain control

left side

Is a reflex faster or slower than a normal signal

faster, it bypasses the brain and goes straight to the spinal cord

What do the wrinkles on the brain do

allow for higher order thinking and processing because it causes more surface area to allow for more neurons, which is why humans have a lot of them and other animals such as a sheep do not have as many

Blood-brain barrier

a coating of cells/tissues around the blood vessels that go to the brain; these blood vessels are not leaky like all others

The forebrain includes the ___

cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland

The hindbrain includes the ___

pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum

Cerebrum

- coordinates language

- controls decision making

- produces conscious thought and movement

Thalamus

receives, processes, and transfer information

Hypothalamus & Pituitary gland

maintains homeostasis

Midbrain

- coordinates head movement related to vision & hearing

- controls eye movement, pupil size

- sleep/wake cycle

Pons

- connects cerebellum & spinal cord with higher brain centers

- aids medulla in regulating respiration

Medulla Oblongata

controls automatic functions of internal organs (cardiovascular, respiratory)

Cerebellum

- controls basic and skilled movements and muscle coordination

- small portion of the brain but contains half the brains neurons

Interoception

internal sensations (like stomachache or hunger) and is processed in the hindbrain

Proprioception

perception of body position and movement in the hindbrain

Frontal Lobe

the prefrontal cortex, premotor area, and motor area of the brain; voluntary movement, memory, thinking, decision making, and planning; contains Broca’s area

Parietal Lobe

responsible for receiving and processing sensory information; somatosensory cortex, essential for processing touch sensations

Occipital Lobe

responsible for receiving and processing visual information from the retina

Temporal Lobe

home of the limbic system structures including the amygdala and hippocampus; organize sensory input, aid in auditory perception, memory formation, and language and speech production

Where are neurotransmitters released

at the synapse

Agonists

increase/amplify transmission of signal across the synapse

Antagonists

decrease transmission of signal across the synapse

How do agonists work

- increase the release of neurotransmitters

- counteract the cleanup of enzymes that break down the transmitter

- block the reuptake of neurotransmitters

- can mimic a specific neurotransmitter and bind to receptors to either activate them or increase the effects

How do antagonists work

- block the release of neurotransmitters

- destroy neurotransmitters in the synapse

- can mimic a neurotransmitter and bind to receptors to block neurotransmitter binding

Stimulants

bind to reuptake pumps to block recycling & increase release of neurotransmitters; work as agonists

Sedatives

bind to GABA receptors that make it harder for an action potential to occur; works as an agonist