Combined Chapter 2 Flashcards

Biology (Where Everything Is and What They Do)

Functions of the Nervous System

1. Receive sensory input through five physical senses

2. Process that information by paying attention, receiving and remembering.

3. Respond by acting on the information.

Central Nervous System

Consists of nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Consists of nerve cells outside the brain and spinal cord, connecting the CNS to limbs and organs.

Forebrain

The largest part of the brain, responsible for complex functions such as consciousness, reasoning, and emotions, and includes structures like the thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex.

Midbrain

This is the central part of the brainstem, located above the hindbrain and below the forebrain. It acts as a relay station for sensory and motor information and plays a role in movement, vision, hearing, alertness, temperature regulation, and arousal and is involved in reward and punishment.

Substantia nigra - initiating involuntary movements

Hindbrain

This is in the lower back part of the brain, responsible for basic life-sustaining functions like breathing, heart rate, balance, and sleep. It includes structures like the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebellum. (survival functions and movement)

Substantia nigra

This is a part of the midbrain that is responsible for initiating involuntary movements.

Hindbrain

It’s structures include the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebellum.

Medulla oblongata

This controls vital autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Pons

This serves as a communication bridge between different parts of the brain and regulates functions like sleep and alertness.

Cerebellum

This is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining balance and posture.

Forebrain

Its main structures include the thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex.

Thalamus

This is the sensory gateway for sight, sound, touch and taste.

Hypothalamus

This regulates autonomic functions such as temperature control, hunger, thirst, and the sleep-wake cycle.

Cerebral cortex

This is involved in higher-order functions like reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, emotions, and consciousness.

Limbic System

1. Thalamus - sensory gateway for sight, sound, touch and taste.

2. Hypothalamus - regulates body functions and motivates behavior.

3. Hippocampus - formation of memories, spatial navigation

4. Amygdala - associates emotions with experiences

(Part of the forebrain)

Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

1. Occipital lobe - located at the back of the head, responsible for visual processing.

2. Temporal lobe - involved in hearing processing and memory.

3. Parietal lobe - integrates sensory information (touch) and manages spatial awareness.

4. Frontal lobe - responsible for complex thought, reasoning, planning, and motor function.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary body functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A part of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal body functions and conserves physical resources.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving afferent and efferent neurons.

Afferent Neurons

Neurons that carry signals to the central nervous system from sensory receptors.

Efferent Neurons

Neurons that carry signals from the central nervous system to effectors like muscles.

Glial Cells

Support cells in the nervous system that provide structural and nutritional support to neurons.

Myelin Sheath

A fatty layer that covers axons and helps speed up neural transmission.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released by neurons that transmit signals across a synapse.

Synaptic Transmission

Process through which neurotransmitters are released and taken up by adjacent neurons.

Excitatory Signals

Signals that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential.

Inhibitory Signals

Signals that decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and muscle movement.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motor control.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that act as natural pain relievers and promote feelings of well-being.

GABA

A neurotransmitter that inhibits neuronal firing and prevents over-excitation.

Glutamate

A neurotransmitter that increases neural transmission speed and efficiency.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects mood, sleep, and appetite regulation.

Epinephrine

A hormone and neurotransmitter that plays a role in the body's fight-or-flight response.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for sensory and cognitive functions.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain associated with reasoning, planning, emotion, and motor functions.

Temporal Lobe

The area of the brain involved in processing auditory information and language.

Parietal Lobe

The part of the brain that processes sensory input and spatial awareness.

Occipital Lobe

The region of the brain that is primarily responsible for visual processing.

Broca’s Area

A brain region linked with speech production and language processing.

Wernicke’s Area

A brain region involved in understanding language.

Spatial Neglect

A condition resulting from damage to the right hemisphere, causing difficulty recognizing objects on one side.

Agonist

A substance that enhances or mimics the action of a neurotransmitter, increasing its effect on the nervous system.

Antagonist

A substance that blocks or inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter, decreasing its effect on the nervous system.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, a class of drugs used to treat depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Terminal Buttons

Small swellings at the end of axons that store and release neurotransmitters into the synapse, facilitating communication between neurons.

Axon

The long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body towards other neurons or muscles.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive messages from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.

Cell body

The central part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and organelles, responsible for maintaining the cell's function and integrating incoming signals.

Nucleus

The control center of a cell that contains genetic material (DNA) and is responsible for regulating cellular activities.

EEG

A non-invasive technique used to measure electrical activity in the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp.

fMRI

A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygenation, providing detailed images of brain structures and functions.

TMS

This is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, often used for research and treatment of depression.

Sympathetic/Parasympathetic Division of Autonomic and Endocrine systems

System/Division	Function	Response Type

Sympathetic (ANS)

Fight or flight

Fast, short-term

Parasympathetic (ANS)

Rest and digest

Calm, recovery

Endocrine System

Hormonal regulation of body

Slow, long-lasting. The division of the nervous system responsible for controlling involuntary bodily functions through hormonal signals.

Autonomic nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily processes such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.

Hypothalamus 4Fs

Fight, Flight, Feeding & Fornication.

Plasticity

The brain’s ability to rewire itself, making new connections or changing existing ones in response to experiences, learning, or damage.

Nature vs. nurture debate

This issue is a long-standing debate about whether genetics or environmental factors shape a person's behavior, personality, intelligence, and development.

Nature

This refers to heredity—the traits and abilities we inherit from our biological parents, including characteristics like eye color, height, genetic diseases, personality tendencies, and natural talents.

What is Nurture

This refers to everything outside of genetics that influences us, such as family upbringing, culture, education, life experiences, peer relationships, nutrition, and exposure to stress or trauma.

Gene-environment interaction

This is the concept that both nature (genes) and nurture (environment) interact to shape who we are, influencing our behavior and development.

Example of the nature vs. nurture interaction

A child may be born with a genetic predisposition for anxiety, but whether it develops depends on their environment, such as a stressful home or supportive parenting.