Neurons & Neurotransmitters
Explain the difference between excitatory, modulatory, and inhibitory neurotransmitters
Excitatory - Acts as a green light to exites the body
Modulatory- acts as the yellow-light and adjusts the activity of other neurotransmitters
Inhibitory- Acts like a red light, calming or suppressing the nervous system
Describe the CNS vs. the PNS
The CNS is the body’s command center. It includes the brain and spinal cord
The PNS consists of all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), acting as communication between the CNS and the rest of the body.
Name the four major lobes of the brain
Parietal, Occipital, Temporal, Frontal
Name the four sleep cycles
NREM-1, NREM-2, NREM-3, REM
What is a stimulant
A drug that excites the nervous system
Can behavior exist without the brain? If so, give an example
Yes! behaviors exhibited through muscle memory
Together, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system maintain ______________.
Homeostasis
Explain which hemispheres control the motor function of the body
RIGHT- left side of the body
LEFT- right side of the body
How much sleep should teenagers get each night? What happens if they don't?
8-10; sleep deprivation which is bad for you
Explain tolerance, dependence, and addiction
Tolerance: A condition that occurs when the body gets used to a medicine so that either more medicine is needed or different medicine is needed.
Dependence: Dependence is a state where someone is heavily reliant on someone or something else. This could mean the dependence of children on parents or an addict on a drug.
Addiction: Addiction works by hijacking the brain's reward system. It floods the brain with dopamine to create pleasure, which the brain learns to crave. This leads to compulsive use despite negative consequences.
Explain: dendrites, soma, axon, myelin sheath, and axon terminals
Dendrites (tree-like structures that receive signals from other neurons)
Soma (cell body; the ‘brain’ of the neuron)
Axon (a nerve fiber conducting electrical impulses away from the soma)
Myelin sheath (acts as an insulator, increasing the speed and strength of nerve impulses along the axon)
Axon terminals (They release neurotransmitters or an action to cells)
What systems are responsible for 'rest and digest' and 'fight and flight' respectively
Parasympathetic
Sympathetic
The right brain and left brain are separated by the ___________________.
Corpus Callosum
What are the effects of insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea?
Insomnia- the inability to sleep
Narcolepsy- struggle to slay awake, "sleep attacks"
Sleep Apnea- stop breathing during the night,
Describe amphetamines. Is it a stimulant? Depressant?
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that make your CNS more active. They treat many conditions, including ADHD, narcolepsy, and obesity.
Amphetamines Make your body release extra dopamine and norepinephrine.
Amphetamines and cocaine interact with almost every other medicine which makes them highly fatal
What are endorphins? Too much? Too little?
Natural painkillers that create feelings of pleasure or euphoria. Released during exercise, excitement, or injury. Low levels are linked to anxiety, depression, and addiction cravings. High levels are often drug induced and can create dependence
Name 3 responsibilities of the CNS
Reflexes: Your spinal cord can have a fast, unconscious response to something (think touching something hot) skipping the brain for immediate action
Motor Command:The brain sends signals that travel through the spinal cord to trigger voluntary movements (e.g. speech) and control involuntary muscle actions
Processing and Cognition: The CNS receives and interprets data gathered by the PNS about the environment and the body’s internal state. The brain combines current sensations with existing emotions and memories to form a complete picture of the environment. Information reaching the brain is processed to create consciousness, reasoning, and language. It uses integrated data to solve problems or use language.
The left brain is considered the _____________ brain. It controls ___________, ______________, and _______________.
The right brain is considered the _____________ brain. It controls ___________, ______________, and _______________.
Left side is normally considered the logical brain.
Controls: Language (speech production, comprehension, reading, and writing; Analytical thinking (logic, math); Motor control (controls right side of the body)
Right side is normally considered the creative brain.
Controls: Spatial skills (maps, distances, understanding 3D); Creativity (artistic abilities, music, and intuition); Motor control (controls left side of the body)
Which method brain scanning is typically used in emergency situations.
CT scan
What is an opiate? Give a detailed description and example.
Opioids are a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. Opioids work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief.
Opioid withdrawal isn’t life-threatening, but it can make you feel very sick
- oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, codeine, fentanyl
What happens if you have too much dopamine?
Low levels are linked to depression, reduced motivation, and difficulties with impulse control
Name the 4 responsibilities of the PNS
Sensation: Sensory information is carried from the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin to the brain.
Movement: The PNS carries signals that allow for voluntary movements and unconscious processes
Digestion: The PNS sends messages to the digestive system to keep food moving along
Explain the functions of the four lobes of the brain.
Frontal- The frontal lobe manages: Thinking, Emotions, Personality, Judgment, Self-control
Parietal- Processing center for sensations such as touch. Helps areas of the brain work cooperatively. Self-perception (like knowing where you are in relation to something)
Temporal- plays a key role in how you communicate with other people, your ability to access memories, use language and process emotions. Gives you the ability understand a word's meaning.
Occipital- The main job of your occipital lobe is decoding the messages sent from your eyes and turning that information into forms the rest of your brain can use.
Briefly explain the three videos about the brain.
Up to Ms. Robertson to see
How would a person fighting addiction to a narcotic find best results?
'Cold Turkey'- For people who haven't been addicted long or might be on the dependence level
CBT- battling lifelong addictions (learning new behaviors)
Medicine- helps to relieve symptoms of withdrawl