The central nervous system

• What is the primary internal communication system in the human body?

  The nervous system
• What are the two main functions of the nervous system?

  Collects information and coordinates organ functions
• What are the two main subsystems of the nervous system?

  Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
• What does the central nervous system consist of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the central nervous system?

  It is the control point for human behavior
• What connects the brain to the spinal cord?

  Brain stem
• What are the three major parts of the brain?

  Hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain
• What is the function of the spinal cord?

  It transmits messages between the brain and PNS
• What does the autonomic nervous system regulate?

  Involuntary bodily processes
• What does the somatic nervous system control?

  Voluntary movements
• What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?

  Prepares the body for action and stress
• What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

  Calms the body and conserves energy
• What are dendrites?

  Structures that receive impulses from neurons
• What is the function of the cell body in a neuron?

  Contains the nucleus and genetic material
• What is the role of the axon?

  Transmits impulses away from the cell body
• What is the myelin sheath?

  A fatty layer that protects the axon
• What do terminal buttons do?

  Release neurotransmitters into the synapse
• What is an action potential?

  An electrical impulse that travels down the axon
• What happens during depolarization?

  The inside of the neuron becomes positively charged
• What does "all-or-nothing" mean in relation to action potentials?

  Action potentials occur fully or not at all
• How many action potentials can myelinated neurons conduct?

  Up to 500 action potentials per second
• What is synaptic transmission?

  A chemical process using neurotransmitters
• What triggers the release of neurotransmitters?

  Action potential reaching the terminal button
• How do neurotransmitters diffuse across the synapse?

  From high concentration to low concentration
• What happens when neurotransmitters bind to postsynaptic receptors?

  They change the charge of the cell body
• What happens to neurotransmitters that remain in the synapse?

  They are reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Chemical messengers between neurons
• How do neurotransmitters fit into receptors?

  Like a key fits into a lock
• What is the function of noradrenaline?

  Involved in fight or flight response
• What role does dopamine play?

  Emotion and mood control
• What is serotonin associated with?

  Emotion and cognitive functions
• What does acetylcholine stimulate?

  Muscle contraction and cognitive functions
• What is GABA's role in the brain?

  It inhibits messages and calms nerves
• What happens when the postsynaptic neuron receives inhibitory inputs?

  It is less likely to fire
• What are recreational drugs?

  Drugs used for personal enjoyment
• What effect do stimulants have on the nervous system?

  Speed up neural activity
• What do sedatives do to the central nervous system?

  Slow down brain activity
• What do hallucinogens do?

  Alter perception and sensory experiences
• What is the mesolimbic pathway associated with?

  The release of dopamine and reward feelings
• How do recreational drugs affect the reward pathway?

  They hijack the reward system