Critical Thinking Exercise

 

�    Do you believe in the saying: �Mind over Matter�?� Why or why not?�

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Units of the Nervous System

 

�    Neuron�a cell that _____________________ from other neurons or sense organs, processes these signals, and sends the signals to other neurons, muscles, or bodily organs

�   Sensory Neuron�responds to input from ______________________

�   Motor Neuron�sends signals to muscles to ____________________

�   Interneuron�neuron that ________________ other neurons (not organs or muscles)

 

 

The Structure of a Neuron

 

�    Soma�middle part of a cell that contains the ________________

�    Axon�part of the neuron that __________________________

�   Terminal Button�structure at the end of axons that releases _________________ into the space between neurons

�    Dendrite�part of the neuron that _______________________

�    �

Activity Within a Neuron

 

�    Conductance�_______________________ involved in the transmission of information within a neuron

�    Resting Potential�negative charge within a neuron when it is ________

�   More + ions outside; more - ions inside

�    The membrane covering the axon has very small __________________, which open and close

�    When a neuron is _____________, ions pass through the cell membrane and initiate an action potential based upon an �all-or none law�

�    Action Potential�shifting change in ________ that moves down the axon

�   Causes the neuron to �___________,� eventually leading to a release of chemicals through the terminal buttons that will affect other neurons

 

Activity Between Neurons

 

�    Synapse�space between neurons where the _________ of one neuron meets the membrane of another

�    Synaptic Transmission�the relay of a ________________ between cells

�    Neurotransmitter�______________ released at a synapse

 

�    ___________ = Cell Body

�    Shoulders or Ankles = _____________

�    Arms = _________

�    _______________ = Terminal Buttons

 

Neurotransmitters

 

�    Acetylcholine� memory and stimulates ________________

�    Serotonin� ____________, sleep, and appetite

�    GABA�sleep and _____________ movement

�    Glutamate� ______________ formation

�    Norepinephrine�arousal and mood

�    Dopamine�control of movement and sensation of ______________

�    _______________�pain relief

 

 

How Different Drugs Work

 

�    Increasing or decreasing the release of a specific _________________

�    Increasing or decreasing the ___________ of a specific neurotransmitter from synapse

�   SSRI�blocks the _____________ of serotonin (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil; used for depression)

Concept Check

�    Activity within neurons is ___________________

�   Due to ______________________

�    Activity between neurons is ______________________

�   Due to ___________________________

 

The Nervous System

 

Central Nervous System

 

�    Brain & ____________________

 

Peripheral Nervous System

 

�    Somatic nervous system & ________________ nervous system

�  Somatic (Skeletal) Nervous System: conveys information between senses, central nervous system, & _______________

�  Autonomic Nervous System: part of the peripheral nervous system that is involved in ______________, unconscious stimuli

�   Sympathetic Nervous System: �________________�

�   Parasympathetic Nervous System: _____________ the effects of the sympathetic nervous system

 

Brain Structures & Their Functions

 

Hemispheric Lobes

 

�    Occipital Lobe�visual information

�    Temporal Lobe� visual memory, hearing, comprehending language

�    Parietal Lobe� registering spatial location, attention, & motor control

�  Somatosensory Cortex�registers sensation on the body and is organized by body part

�    Frontal Lobes�planning, memory search, motor control, reasoning, etc.

�  Motor Cortex: voluntary movements & is organized by body part

 

Subcortical Structures and Their Functions

 

The Limbic System: Emotions, Motivation, & Learning

 

�    Thalamus� relays sensory signals (e.g., vision, touch, pain, etc.) & plays an important role in making sense of this information; also important for attention

�    Hypothalamus�regulates basic drives (e.g., hunger, thirst, sex).

�   Suprachiasmatic Nucleus: part of the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms

�    Hippocampus�involved in forming new memories

�    Amygdala�involved in emotions of fear & anger

 

The Brain Stem

 

�    Medulla�controls vital autonomic functions (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, etc.)

�    Pons�involved in a variety of functions, ranging from sleep to control of muscles used to form facial expressions

�    Reticular Formation�helps keep people alert and aroused; selective attention

�    Cerebellum�controls finely coordinated movements (e.g., dancing, athletics, etc.), and is involved with estimating time and paying attention