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psychology unit 3 chapter 2 all revision questions

Terms in this set (38)

what are the three main functions of the nervous system
Receive information process information and coordinate a response
What makes up the Central Nervous System and what is its function?
Brain: processing information and directing actions within the body

spinal cord: connects brain and peripheral nervous system and initiates spinal reflexes
Which part of the nervous system coordinates the activity of the entire nervous system?
the brain
define an describe the brain
An intricate network of cells that plays a vital role in processing information received through neural pathways from the body
Define spinal cord and describe the two main functions of the spinal cord in terms of the types of messages that travel up and down its length, and the branch of the nervous system to which it connects.
A bundle of nerve tissue that extends from the base of the brain to the lower back
it receives sensory information from the body via the PNS which sends to brain for processing
it receives motor information from brain and can send to relevant parts of the body to control muscles organs and glands
What happens when the spinal cord is injured?
The brain loses both sensory input from and control over the body
This athlete has restricted movement due to paraplegia caused by spinal cord damage. Explain the athlete's restricted movement with reference to the somatic nervous system.
Athlete's motor information can't be sent from the central nervous system cos his spinal cord is damaged and the message can't get to his brain cos it has to pass the spinal cord
Describe the Peripheral Nervous System and state its main function
A network of nerves out of the central nervous system
it carries sensory information to and from the central nervous system
State the two subdivisions of the Peripheral Nervous System and describe their function
Somatic nervous system: carries sensory information to CNS and motor information from CNS

autonomic nervous system: connects CNS to the body internal organs and glands
Distinguish between the afferent and efferent information with reference to the type of information and the direction in which it is transmitted.
Sensory information is called afferent, and information goes to the CNS

Motor information is called efferent and information leaves the CNS
Whenever you reach to pick up a glass of water on a table, both the sensory and motor functions of the somatic nervous system are involved. Explain both the sensory and motor roles in grasping the glass
Carries sensory information to the brain thinking pick up the glass then motor information is sent from the CNS to the skeletal muscles to then pick up the glass
What is an important feature of the ANS?
A control system that acts and regulates organs muscles and glands
What is the difference in function between the SNS and the ANS? (initiate and regulate)
Somatic nervous system carries sensory information to CNS and motor information from the CNS whereas the autonomic nervous system connects the CNS to the body's internal organs and glands and it's self-regulating
Is the ANS completely self-regulating?
yes
What is biofeedback?
A process where a person receives feedback about the state of an internal bodily activity that normally occurs automatically
State the two divisions of the ANS and describe their function
Sympathetic nervous system: increasing the activity of most visceral muscles (preparing body for action)

parasympathetic nervous system: decreasing the activity of most visceral muscles (calms body after action)
Explain why it can take longer for the parasympathetic nervous system to 'slow down' bodily functions than it does for the sympathetic nervous system to 'speed up' bodily functions.
- lingering presence of hormones that are released when sympathetic nervous system is activated
- they remain in the bloodstream for some time after the threat has passed
Describe the difference between conscious and unconscious responses
a conscious response to a sensory stimulus is a reaction that involves awareness whereas an unconscious response to a sensory stimulus is a reaction that does not involve awareness
Describe spinal reflex
an unconscious, involuntary and automatically occurring response to certain stimuli without any involvement of the brain, its sometimes referred to as a relfex arc
Why is a spinal reflex important?
its an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus. it can prevent you from burning something if its too hot
What is the Nervous System comprised of?
CNS and PNS
Define neuron
An individual nerve cell that is specialized to receive, process and or transmit information
Describe the three different types of neurons and draw an image of each
Sensory neurons - nerve cells within the nervous system

motor neurons- nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from brain or spinal cord to muscle or glands

inter neurons- create neural circuits
In what way are the structure and functions of a dendrite different from those of axon terminals?
Axon transmits neural information whereas dendrites detects and receives information from other neurons
Why is neuronal activity referred to as electrochemical?
Neurons communicate through an electrochemical process
what is the synaptic gap
The tiny space between the terminal buttons of one neuron
What is the synapse and what structures does it include?
The site where communication occurs between adjacent neuron
presynaptic neuron = the sending neuron
postsynaptic neuron = the receiving neuron
What is a neurotransmitter and how does it work?
A chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries messages to other neurons
Describe the process of reuptake
Any neurotransmitters that don't bind to the receptor are reabsorbed back to the terminal buttons by the pre-synaptic neuron
Differentiate between the excitatory and inhibitory effects of neurotransmitters.
Excitatory is stimulating post synaptic neurons to perform their functions whereas inhibitory effect means blocking and preventing postsynaptic neurons from firing.
Describe the function of the neurotransmitters Glutamate and GABA.
glutamate - primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS it helps with learning, thinking and memory but too much is harmful to neurons

GABA- fine tunes neurotransmission and stops over excitation
Describe the lock-and-key process of neurotransmission
1. Release neurotransmitters from axon terminals of pre synaptic neuron
2. The neurotransmitter (the key) then binds to the receptor (the lock) on the dendrite of the post synaptic neuron. Neurotransmitter must precisely match the shape of the receptor
3. The lock= receptor
The key= neurotransmitters
4. Neurotransmitter unlocks the post synaptic neurons response excitatory or inhibitory
5. Any neurotransmitters that don't bind to a receptor are reabsorbed into the axon terminal of pre synaptic neuron (process of reuptake)
What is Parkinson's disease and what causes it?
A central nervous system neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms
Why can Parkinson's disease be described as a neurological disorder? a neurodegenerative disorder?
It's classed as a neurodegenerative disease because the nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop
How is dopamine involved in Parkinson's disease?
Lack of dopamine which is a neural transmitter carries messages on how to control body movement
- neurons in substantia nigra produce neurotransmitters (dopamine) so when substantia nigra is damaged the amount of dopamine available for motor activity reduces as neurons gradually die causing people to have less movement
What does 'idiopathic' mean?
Denoting any disease or condition which arises spontaneously or for which the cause is unknown
Describe the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
Speech slurred
- uncontrollable shaking
- problems with cognitive function
- shuffle when they walk
What is the treatment for Parkinson's Disease?
there no treatment for this disease however a patient is provided with dopamine medication which isn't a cure but it decreases the shaking and other symptoms
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