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Psychology
Beginner
09/12/2019

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

 

Motor neurons

Definition

(efferent)

 

Motor neurons carry messages away from the brain and spinal cord to the organs and muscles in the body.

 

A motor neuron has a cell body with many dendrites branching off it. These dendrites have a large surface area in order to connect with other neurons and carry nerve impulses towards the cell body.

 

The axon then carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body. Surrounding the axon are special cells known as Schwahn cells that wrap around the axon to form an insulating layer called a myelin sheath. At its end the axon divides into a number of branches known as synaptic terminals. These synaptic terminals do not actuall touch the next neuron; there is a small gap between the synaptic terminals and the dendrites of the receiving neuron known as a synapse.

 

Term

 

 

 

 

Sensory neurons

Definition

 

Sensory neurons carry messages from the receptors in the body to our brain and spinal cord. Receptors such as our sense organs, muscles, skin or joints detect physical and chemical changes in the body and relay these messages via sensory neurons to the brain or spinal cord.

 

Term
relay neurons
Definition

 

Interconnecting (relay) neurons are found only in our visual system, brain and spinal cord. These neurons receive messages from the sensory neurons and pass theses messages either to other interconnecting neurons or to motor neurons. The interaction of these three types of neurons can be seen in a diagram of a reflex arc.

 

Term
table of neuron funcitons
Definition

 

 

            Motor Neuron

relay Neuron

Sensory Neuron

Function

Carries messages from the CNS to effectors such a muscles and glands

Transfers messages from sensory neurons to other interconnecting or relay neurons

Carries messages from the PNS to the brain and spinal cord (CNS)

Length of Fibres

Short dendrites and long axons

Short dendrites and either short or long axons

Long dendrites and short axons

 

Term

 

Synaptic transmission

 

Definition

 

Action potential: electrical impulse along a neuron

 

Synapse: The gap between the end of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron

 

Neurotransmitter: a chemical substance released from a synaptic vesicle that affects the transfer of an impulse to another nerve or muscle

 

Term

 

The cerebrum

 

Definition

 

The cerebrum has an outermost layer known as the cerebral cortex. The cortex appears grey because of the location of cell bodies- which is why it is known as grey matter. Beneath the cortex lie myelinetated axons which appear as white- hence it is known as white matter. Each of our sensory systems sends messages to and from this cerebral cortex.

 

Term

 

The motor area

 

Definition

 

This is located in the parietal lobe and is responsible for controlling our voluntary movements. Movements on the right side of the body are controlled by the left hemisphere and vice versa. Therefore damage to the motor cortex results in impaired movements.

 

Term

 

The somatosensory area

 

Definition

 

This is also located in the parietal lobe and separated from the motor area by the central sulcus lies the somatosensory area which responds to heat, cold, touch, pain and our sense of body movement. The amount of somato sensory area associated with a particular part of the body is related to its use and sensitivity.

 

Term
The visual area
Definition
the occipital lobes primary function is vision. Here nerve fibres from the inner half of the retina of each eye cross at the optic chiasm and travel to the opposite sides of the brain. (Damage to the left hemisphere may affect the right eyes vision).
Term
The auditory area
Definition
this is located in the temporal lobe and is responsible for the analysis of speech-based information. Within is an area called Wernicke’s area (Karl Wernicke discovered that damage to the left temporal lobe resulted in linguistic deficits). Individuals who experience difficulties in language comprehension suffer from Wernicke’s aphasia.
Term

name the different lobes

 

Definition


  1. The frontal lobe – the location for awareness of what we are doing within our environment

  2. The parietal lobe – location for sensory and motor movements

  3. The temporal lobe – location for auditory ability and memory acquisition

  4. The occipital lobe – location for vision

 

Term

 

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

 

Definition

 

Function: controls the functions of blood vessels, glands and the internal organs of the body (e.g. bladder, stomach and heart)

 

 

 

It mainly operates automatically i.e. without conscious control

 

 

 

The ANS is sub-divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

 

The sympathetic nervous system

 

  • Prepares the body for fight or flight

  • During fight or flight, the sympathetic nervous system will divert blood from the stomach to the muscles, increase heart rate and breathing rate and dilate pupils

 

 

 

The parasympathetic nervous system

 

  • Supports normal body functions, conserving and storing bodily energy

  • It also reduces the effects of body changes caused by the sympathetic nervous system

  • This involves reducing heart rate and breathing and contracting pupils.

 

Term

sympathetic and parasympathetic functions

 

Definition

 

 

Sympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

[image]      Dilates pupils

[image]      Inhibits saliva production

[image]      Increases rate of breathing

[image]      Inhibits digestion

[image]      Releases bladder (decreases urination)

[image]      Increases heart rate

[image]      Stimulates ejaculation in males (orgasms – females)

[image]      Increases actions of adrenal glands

[image]       Contracts pupils

[image]       Stimulates saliva production

[image]       Decreases rate of breathing

[image]       Stimulates digestion

[image]       Contracts the bladder (increases urination)

[image]       Decreases heart rate

[image]       Stimulates sexual arousal

[image]       Decreases action of adrenal glands

 

Term
Endocrine system
Definition

 

made up of a number of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

 

Hormones travel through a bloodstream and affect different body organs.

 

The endocrine system provides a means of communication to the nervous system.

 

The chemical structure of hormones is very similar to that of the neurotransmitters found in the synaptic vesicles of neurons. E.g. the hormone adrenaline is chemically the same as epinephrine (a neurotransmitter).

 

Term
Adrenal glands
Definition

 

located immediately above the kidneys. They secrete a number of hormones. The most important for psychology is adrenaline which is involved in the fight or flight response. Adrenaline has been linked to stress reactions:

 

In stress situation, 2 chemical reactions take place

 

  1. Fast chemical response – stimulates the sympathetic nervous system which instructs the adrenal gland to produce adrenaline, thus giving an ‘adrenaline rush’

  2. Slow chemical response – the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland which then instructs the adrenal gland to produce the hormone cortisol. This inhibits reproductive features and allows glucose to be released into the bloodstream to provide energy.

 

Term
human nervous system
Definition

 

The human nervous system is divided into two main sub-systems:

 

  • The central nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord

  • The peripheral nervous system which consists of millions of neurons that carry messages to and from the central nervous system. These neurons are known as motor, sensory and interconnecting neurons.

 

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