AP Psychology Central Nervous System

Central Nervous System

• Brain
• Spinal Cord

Neurons, Hormones, and the Brain

• Explain why we feel
• Two main divisions of the human nervous system are:
  • Central
  • Peripheral

Somatic

• Connects our sensory receptors to the skeletal muscles that allow voluntary movement
• When a bug lands on your arm you swat it

Automatic

• Regulates internal organs
• When you are nervous your glands may produce sweat
• The autonomic is also divided into two:
  • Sympathetic
  • Parasympathetic

Sympathetic

• Mobilized bodily resources that increase energy

Parasympathetic

• It operates during relaxed states and conserves energy
• Think of a parachute slowing down and skydiver

Neuron Structure

• Neurons do not touch each other
• The space in between is called the synapse
• Neurotransmitter enters synapse, binds to receptors that it fits
• Dendrites are the part of a neuron that is tree-like or “branchy”
• Gilla cells hold neurons in place

Major Neurotransmitters

• Dopamine
• Acetylcholine (ACH)
• Norepinephrine
• Serotonin
• Endorphins
• GABA
• Glutamate

Dopamine

• alertness motor movement
• Lack of Dopamine leads to Parkinson’s disease
• Too much leads to Schizophrenia

ACH

• ACH - motor movement
• Lack of ACH = Alzheimer’s

GABA

• Inhibiting
• Regulates amount of neurotransmitters that should be involved in the reuptake process
• Slows down information
• Action potential - when neuron fires all or nothing firing

Glutamate

• Exciting
• Sparks neurotransmitter to allow transmission to continue

Serotonin

• Neurotransmitter that is targeted by doctors for depression
• Medication that is used are called antidepressants SSRI

NT’s play multiple roles

• Tylenol

Multiple jobs that they do

Neural regeneration

• The ability of neurons to grow back after injury or damage

Stem cells

• Immature cells that renew themselves and have the potential to develop into mature cells

Afferent

• Sensory neurons

Receive info Outside back in to CNS

Efferent

• Motor neurons
• Brain tells peripheral system, spinal cord to PNS

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