1. The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

Functions: receives, process, interprets, stores incoming information,

send outs messages to muscles, glands, internal organs.

2. The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerve tissue in the
body.

Functions:

Sensory neurons: bring input to skin, muscles, and organs

Motor neurons: carry output to muscles, glands, organs

3. These are both subdivision of the PNS. The somatic nervous system
handles voluntary muscle movements and transmission of sensory
information, connects to sensory receptors and skeletal muscles. The
autonomic nervous system handles involuntary internal organ
functions, regulates blood vessels, glands, and organs. Influenced by
emotional states: sympathetic and parasympathetic.

4. Sympathetic nervous system mobilizes body for action and

parasympathetic nervous system slows action

5. A neuron consists of dendrites, a cell body and an axon.

The synaptic vessels at the axon terminal are filled with a

neurotransmitter. When the signal reaches the axon terminal, it cause
the vessels to release in the gap between the neurons which is the
synaptic cleft. These molecules then drift across the gap to reach their
destination on the receiving neuron.

6. Myelin Sheath has insulation consisting mainly of fatty material

around some axons. It ensures that the signal doesn’t leak out and
allows the signal to move quickly down the axon.

In Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disorder where the myelin

sheath is destroyed in patches. The body’s immune systems attacks
the glial cells by attacking the signal transmission.
7. Stem cells are immature cells that renew themselves and have
potential to develop into mature cells.

Neurogenisis is the formation of new neurons, which can even occur

in the adult brain, in case of brain damage.

8. Neurons in a new born is widely spaced, but immediately being to

form new connections and the unused synaptic connection are pruned
away.

Brain Plasticity is when our brains are constantly changing as a

function of our learning experiences and stored memories. Maybe
even new brain cells will be produced by brain stimulation.

9. Neurons communicate using two types of signal transmission:

Excitatory msgs – increases likelihood that receiving neuron will fire
Inhibitory msgs – decreases likelihood that receiving neuron will fire

A neuron either fires or not is the all or non principle

10. Neurotransmitters are neurons that connect to each other but do not
physically touch but rather use a chemical messenger to
communicate. They are a versatile courier.

Serotonin – sleep, mood, appetite

Dopamine – movement, learning, memory, emotion
Acetylcholine – muscle action, memory, cognition
Norepinephrine – heart rate, learning, memory, emotion
GABA – inhibitory neurotransmitter
Glutamate – major neurotransmitter

11. Endorphins is a chemical substance in the nervous system, similar I

structure and action to opiates. Involved in pain reduction, pleasure,
and memory.

12. Hormones are long distance messengers secreted by the endocrine

gland that affect the functioning of other organs.

Psychologists are specifically interested in melatonin, oxytocin,

adrenal hormones, and sex hormones
 Melatonin – secreted by the pineal gland, regulates biological rhythms
and promotes sleep

Oxytocin – is secreted by the pituitary gland, enhances uterine

contractions during childbirth

Adrenal Hormones – produced by adrenal glands, is related to

emotion and stress

Sex Hormones – secreted by tissue in gonads, androgens, estrogens,

and progesterone

13. Psychologists study the brain using many methods such as:

Lesion method – damaging or removing section of the brain

Electroencephalography (EEG) – needle electrodes and

microelectrodes into a single cell

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – wire coil around persons

magnetic field

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) – injections of glucose like

substances contain radio active elements

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – uses magnetic fields and

special radio tissues

14. Localization of function means when different parts of the brain

performs different tasks

15. 1. The brain stem – rises out of the spinal cord

a. Medulla – regulates automatic functions, such as breath and

heart rate
b. Pons – regulates sleeping, waking and dreaming
c. Reticular Activating Sys (RAS) – network of neurons, connects
with higher areas of the brain; screens information, alertness
 2. Cerebellum – on top of the brain stem; regulates movement and
balance and involved in simple responses

3. Thalamus – relays motor impulses out of brain, directs incoming

sensory messages to higher centers

4. Hypothalamus and pituitary gland

a. Hypothalamus – associated with survival drives such as,

hunger, thirst, emotion, sex, and reproduction, body temp
b. Pituitary Gland – ‘master gland’ regulated by hypothalamus

5. Limbic System – loosely interconnected structures involved in

emotions

a. Amygdala – evaluates sensory info to determines its importance

b. Hippocampus – allows formation and storage of new memories

6. Cerebrum – site of higher forms of thinking

a. Divided into two halves or cerebral hemispheres that are

connected by a band of fibers called the corpus callosum
b. Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body
c. Each hemisphere has somewhat different talents (lateralization)

7. Cerebral Cortex – layers of densely packed cells covering cerebrum

a. Occipital lobes – contain visual cortex

b. Parietal lobes – contain somatosenory cortex
c. Temporal lobes – involved in memory, perception, and emotion
d. Frontal lobes – contain motor cortex; responsible for making
plans and thinking creatively, Broca’ area (Speech production)

16. Its enables us to form spatial memories so that we can navigate

through our environment and also enables ur to form new memories
about facts and events.
17. Occipital lobes – contain visual cortex
Parietal lobes – contain somatosenory cortex
Temporal lobes – involved in memory, perception, and emotion
Frontal lobes – contain motor cortex; responsible for making
plans and thinking creatively, Broca’ area (Speech production)

18. The two hemispheres communicate via the opus callosum. The right
hemisphere is nonverbal: is better at spatial-visual tasks, facial
recognition, and the creation and appreciation of ar and music. The
left hemisphere is verbal: to excel at languages and verbal activities,
logical, symbolical, and sequential tasks.

19. Split brain surgery is surgery in which the corpus callosum is

severed. Stopping the spread of electrical activity from one side of the
brain to the other.