Limbic System
What is the main job of the nervous system?
To communicate information throughout the body and help coordinate responses.
What two structures make up the central nervous system?
The brain and spinal cord.
What does PNS stand for?
Peripheral Nervous System
The limbic system is strongly associated with what three things?
Emotions, memory, and motivation.
The brain and spinal cord make up the CNS.
True.
What are the two major divisions of the nervous system?
The central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
True or False: The brain is part of the peripheral nervous system.
False.
Is the PNS inside or outside the brain and spinal cord?
Outside.
Which limbic structure is especially associated with fear and detecting potential threats?
The amygdala.
What is neuroplasticity?
The brain's ability to change, adapt, and grow throughout your life.
Which system helps your body respond to a perceived threat?
The nervous system.
What structure carries messages between the brain and much of the body?
The spinal cord.
Which division of the PNS controls voluntary movement?
The Somatic Nervous System
Which structure plays an important role in forming and retrieving memories?
The hippocampus.
Why was the case of Phineas Gage important?
First case suggesting that function is localized in the brain.
Your heart suddenly starts racing when you hear a loud noise. What system is helping produce this response?
The Autonomic Nervous System.
If you touch something hot and quickly pull your hand away, what part of the CNS is involved in processing and coordinating the response?
The brain and spinal cord.
Which division controls automatic functions like heart rate and digestion?
The Autonomic Nervous System.
You’re walking down a dark street and suddenly hear footsteps behind you. Which structure may quickly help detect the situation as potentially threatening?
The amygdala.
Name 2 lobes of the brain.
Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.
Put these events in the correct general order: body response → perceived threat → nervous system activation.
Perceived threat → nervous system activation → body response.
Why might we call the CNS the body’s “command center”?
Because it processes information and coordinates responses throughout the body.
You’re sitting calmly when you suddenly hear a loud crash. Your heart races and your muscles tense. Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible?
The Sympathetic Nervous System.
Why might a past traumatic experience sometimes cause a person to react strongly to something that reminds them of what happened?
The brain can associate certain cues with the previous experience, causing the nervous system to respond as though there may be danger again.
Name 3 parts of the "old brain".
The brainstem, pons, medulla, thalamus, cerebellum, and reticular formation.