U3 AOS1

• Central nervous system (CNS) comprised of the brain and spinal cord, receives neural messages from and transmits neural messages to the PNS
• Brain coordinates mental processes and behaviour and regulates bodily activity.
• Peripheral nervous system comprising every neuron in the body outside the CNS
• Somatic nervous system is a division of the PNS and is responsible for voluntary motor movement
• Skeletal muscles are those connected to the skeleton that carry out voluntary motor movements
• Autonomic nervous system a division of the PNS that regulates visceral muscles, organs and glands, and is responsible for unconscious/involuntary actions
• Visceral muscles, organs and glands that are not connected to the skeleton and are predominantly self-regulating, and dont require conscious control
• Sympathetic nervous system, a division of the ANS that prepares the body for action
• Parasympathetic nervous system, a division of the ANS that maintains homeostasis and brings the body back.
• Neuron a nerve cell that recieves and transmits neural information
• Motor neurons (efferent) transmit neural information about motor movement from the CNS to the PNS
• Sensory neurons (afferent) transmit sensory information from the PNS to the CNS
• Interneurons transfer neural messages between sensory and motor neurons
• Conscious response is a deliberate and voluntary action initiated by the brain.
• Sensory receptors are nerve endings that detects sensations and stimuli.
• Unconscious responses are automatic and involuntary action that is performed by the body independently of the brain.
• Spinal reflex is an unconscious response to sensory stimuli that is initiated by interneurons in the spine, independent of the brain.
• Neural synapse the region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron
• Presynaptic neuron releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse
• Axon terminal the end of a neuron the releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse
• Synaptic gap the space between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron.
• Postsynaptic neuron receives the neurochamicals from the neural synapse
• Dendrite is an extension of a neuron where receptor sites aare located.
• Receptor sites are protein molecules that receives neurochemicals
• Neurochemicals are a chemical substance that transmits neural information within the nervous system
• Synaptic transmission is the process of chemical conveyance of neural information between two neurones.
• Neurotransmitters are a chemical that has an effect on one or two postsynaptic neurons
• Action potential is the electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron
• Excitatory effect increases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential
• Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in nervous system.
• Inhibitory effect decreases the likelihood of the postsynaptic neuron firing an action potential
• GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system
• Neuromodulator is a chemical molecule that has an effect on multiple postsynaptic neurons.
• Dopamine is a neuromodulator primarily responsible for voluntary motor movement, the experience of pleasure, and reward-based learning
• Serotonin is a neuromodulator primarily responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep
• Synaptic plasticity is the ability of synaptic connections to change over time in response to activity or experience
• Sprouting is the ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches
• Rerouting is the ability of a neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection
• Pruning is the elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated.
• Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, or behaviours through experience