Psychology AOS1

• Reflexes are automatic responses to stimuli, often involving muscle contraction without conscious thought.
• The spinal cord is the main pathway between the brain and peripheral nerves.
• Dendrite

  Receives incoming neural messages
• Soma

  Body of the neuron, containing nucleus with the genetic material for the neuron
• Axon 


  Pathway down which the neural messages travels
• Myelin Sheath

  Fatty tissue that encases the axon to aid in speed of transmission
• Axon terminals

  Exist pathways for neural messages to make their way to the next neuron
• Terminal buttons

  Releases a chemical substance known as a neurotransmitter to a receiving neuron for communication purpose
• Neurotransmission

  Process of communication between neurons using electrochemical energy
• Neurotransmitter

  Chemical messengers released from the axon terminal button of a neuron to the post-synaptic neuron. It has short range effects to a single post-synaptic neuron impacts, and influences likelihood of the post-synaptic neuron firing
• Excitatory

  Increasing likelihood that a neuron will fire an action potential
• Inhibitory

  Decreasing likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential
• Glutamate

  An excitatory neurotransmitter that increases the likelihood that post-synaptic neuron will fire an action potential. It is involved in memory and learning
• GABA

  An inhibitory neurotransmitter associated with calming feelings of anxiety, stress or fear
• Neuromodulator

  Chemical messenger that enhances signal transmission
• Dopamine

  Neuromodulator that is involved in drive, motivation and motor movement
• Seretonin

  Neuromodulator that is involved in mood stabilisation
• Central Nervous System

  Comprised of the brain and spinal cord. It receives sensory information from the peripheral nervous system and sends motor information to the peripheral nervous system
• Spinal Cord

  Cable-like column of nerve-fibres from the base of the brain to the lower back, and is encased by a series of bones called vertebrae
• Peripheral nervous system

  Comprised of muscles, organs and glands. It sends sensory information to the CNS system and receives motor information from the CNS
• Somatic Nervous System

  Network of neurons within the body that transmit information from receptor cites to the CNS and then carry information to the muscles to initiate voluntary movement
• Autonomatic Nervous System

  Network of neurons that carry information between CNS and the organs and glands to ensure they are regulated without conscious awareness
• Parasympathetic Nervous System

  Branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains homeostasis and calms the body down after vigorous activity
• Sympathetic Nervous System

  Branch of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for vigorous activity
• Spinal reflex

  Automatic response that is initiated by the neurons in the spinal cord, independent of the brain
• Neuroplasticity

  Ability of brain to physically change in response to experience
• Sprouting

  Ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches. This increases the reach of the neuron and enables the formation of new synaptic connections
• Rerouting

  Ability of neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron
• Pruning

  Elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated. This is necessary to accomodate stronger and more essential synaptic connections, enhancing efficiency of brain functioning
• Long term potentation

  Long-lasting strengthening of the synaptic connections of neurons, resulting in the enhanced or more effective functioning of the neurons whenever they are activated
• Long term Depression

  Long-lasting decrease in strength of synaptic transmission, the opposite of LTD. Post-synaptic neurons become less responsive to the neurotransmitter released by a pre-synaptic neuron
• Neuromodulator


  Chemical messenger that are released from neurons into neural tissue in the brain. It has short or long range effects, slower acting and can have short-term impacts or long term regulation. It's role is to alter the strength of neural transmission through increasing or decreasing responsiveness of neurons to neurotransmitter signals
• What are examples of neuromodulators?

  dopamine, seretonin
• What are examples of neurotransmitters?

  GABA, Glutamate
• Glutamate


  Neurotransmitter, excitatory effect and stimulates neural activity in brain. Important role in learning, memories and ongoing release can lead to long-term potentiation and vice versa can cause long-term depression
• GABA


  neurotransmitter, inhibitory effects that suppresses neural activity in brain. Low levels are linked to anxiety disorders due to increased arousal and activation of SNS