ALL NOTES - Biological

• What are the main components of the Central Nervous System?

  Brain, Spinal Cord, Relay Neurons
• What does the Peripheral Nervous System consist of?

  Sensory and Motor Neurons

  
• What is the function of the Somatic Nervous System?

  Conscious control input and output to muscles
• What does the Autonomic Nervous System control?

  Subconscious control of smooth muscles and glands
• What is the role of the Sympathetic Motor System?

  'Fight or flight' responses
• What is the function of the Parasympathetic Motor System?

  Relaxing responses
• What does brain lateralisation refer to?

  The two hemispheres have different functions
• Which hemisphere is dominant for language?

  The left hemisphere
• What do dendrites do?

  Receive electrical impulses from other neurons
• What does the cell body of a neuron contain?

  Nucleus and many mitochondria
• What is the function of the Myelin Sheath?

  Insulates the axon
• What are Nodes of Ranvier?

  Gaps in the myelin sheath
• What is the role of Schwann Cells?

  Produce insulating layers around the axon
• What are axon terminals?

  Found at the end of the axon
• What do terminal buttons release?

  Neurotransmitters
• What do excitatory neurotransmitters do?

  Increase positive charge in post-synaptic neuron
• Give an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter.

  Adrenaline
• What is the function of inhibitory neurotransmitters?

  Increase negative charge in post-synaptic neuron
• What is the synaptic cleft?

  The gap between two neurons

  
• What is the presynaptic neuron?

  Neuron where the impulse arrives

  
• What is the postsynaptic neuron?

  Neuron that receives the neurotransmitter

  
• What is the synaptic knob?

  Swollen end of the presynaptic neuron
• What do synaptic vesicles contain?

  Neurotransmitters

  
• What happens during synaptic transmission?

  Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on postsynaptic membrane

  
• What is the role of acetylcholine?

  Stimulates muscle contractions
• What is the function of noradrenaline?

  Linked to mood control
• What is dopamine related to?

  Emotional and cognitive functions
• What does the limbic system regulate?

  Emotion, motivation, memory, and behavior

  
• What is serotonin's role?

  Linked to mood control and sleep
• What is the function of GABA?

  Key role in behavior and cognition
• What does glutamate do?

  Involved in learning and memory
• What is the role of epinephrine/adrenaline?

  Responds to stressors and increases alertness
• What are recreational drugs used for?

  Enjoyment rather than medical reasons
• Name a legal recreational drug in the UK.

  Alcohol
• What is the reward pathway in the brain?

  Causes pleasant and rewarding feelings
• How do drugs affect the reward system?

  Produce pleasurable feelings without adaptive function
• What happens when heroin or cocaine is used?

  Increases neurotransmitter in reward pathways
• What is down regulation in drug use?

  Brain produces less dopamine after drug use
• What is the effect of repeated drug use?

  Leads to addiction and increased dosage needed
• How does nicotine affect neurotransmission?

  Mimics acetylcholine and increases dopamine