psycology

• What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

  Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• What is the function of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

  The CNS coordinates information received from the PNS and sends information out.
• What does the spinal cord connect?

  The spinal cord connects the brain and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
• How is the spinal cord protected?

  The spinal cord is protected by the bones of the spine and skull.
• What is the consequence of damage to the CNS?

  Damage to the CNS is more likely to result in widespread damage.
• What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consist of?

  The PNS consists of all the nerve cells outside the brain and spinal cord.
• How does damage to the PNS differ from damage to the CNS?

  Damage to the PNS tends to result in more localized effects.
• What are the two main subdivisions of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?

  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System
• What is the role of the somatic nervous system?

  The somatic nervous system carries sensory information to the CNS and motor messages from the CNS to skeletal muscles.
• What type of movements does the somatic nervous system control?

  The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements.
• What does the autonomic nervous system regulate?

  The autonomic nervous system regulates the functioning of internal processes automatically.
• What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

  The sympathetic nervous system creates a fight, flight or freeze response and increases heart rate and breathing ability.
• What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

  The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for calming down the body and promoting rest and digestion.
• What are the three distinct types of neurons?

  • Sensory neurons
  • Interneurons
  • Motor neurons
• What do sensory neurons do?

  Sensory neurons take sensory messages generated in sensory receptors to the CNS.
• Where are interneurons located and what is their function?

  Interneurons are located in the brain and spinal cord and send messages from sensory neurons to motor neurons.
• What do motor neurons do?

  Motor neurons take motor messages from the CNS to the effector (target) organ or gland in the PNS.
• What are motor neurons also called?

  Motor neurons are also called efferent neurons.
• What is the structure of a neuron composed of?

  A neuron is composed of a cell body (soma), dendrite, axon, and axon terminals
• What is the function of the myelin sheath?

  The myelin sheath insulates the axon and increases the speed of electrical signals.
• What is the primary function of neurons?

  Neurons carry messages around the body as electrical and chemical signals.
• What are dendrites in a neuron?

  Dendrites are highly sensitive structures that contain numerous receptors to receive signals from other cells.
• What is the function of the cell body in a neuron?

  The cell body houses the nucleus, which controls the function of the neuron and receives electrical signals from the dendrites.
• What does the axon do in a neuron?

  The axon extends from the cell body and enables electrical signals to travel in one direction.
• What is the role of the myelin sheath?

  The myelin sheath is a white, fatty substance that covers portions of the axon and acts as an insulator to speed up the conduction of electrical impulses.
• Where is the axon terminal located?

  The axon terminal is located at the very end of the axon.
• What happens at the axon terminal in response to an electrical signal?

  In response to an electrical signal, the axon terminal releases chemicals across the synaptic gap.
• What is neural transmission and how does it work?

  • Neural transmission is an electro-chemical process.
  • It uses electrical energy to send messages within a neuron.
  • It uses chemical energy to send messages between neurons.
• What is the synapse?


  The synapse is the point of communication between two neurons.
• What comprises the synapse?

  The synapse is made up of the axon terminal of one axon and the dendrite of a second neuron.
• What are the steps of how a signal is transmitted across a synapse?

  1. An electrical signal travels from the soma down the axon to the axon terminal.

  2. This triggers the release of neurotransmitters from vesicles.

  3. Neurotransmitters travel across the synaptic gap.

  4. They bind with receptors on the dendrites of the next neuron.

  5. This triggers the dendrite to generate a new electrical signal sent to the soma.

  6. The process starts again.
• How do sensory receptors in the eye function?

  Sensory receptors in the eye detect light information.
• What role do interneurons play in the nervous system?

  Interneurons in the brain receive sensory information, process it, and generate a motor response.
• What do motor neurons do?

  Motor neurons send signals to the effector to create a response
• What are reflex actions?

  Reflex actions are automatic responses to a stimulus that do not require conscious thought.
• Why are reflex actions often called "spinal reflexes"?

  They are called "spinal reflexes" because sensory information is sent to the spinal cord where a response is generated.
• How do reflex actions help us?

  Reflex actions help us minimize or avoid harm by allowing quick responses to stimuli.
• What happens to the message sent during a reflex action?

  A message is still sent to the brain, but the response is not generated from there.
• What is the difference between sensation and perception?

  • Sensation is the process by which sensory receptors detect and respond to sensory information.
  • Perception is the process of interpreting and giving meaning to that sensory information.
• What is reception in the context of sensation?


  Reception is the process of detecting incoming sensory information.