2025 11 ATAR Psych Nervous system & brain (chapter 1)

Myelin sheath

• Fatty covering of the axon that acts as an insulator

• Protein layer that protects the neuron from damage

• Fluid that facilitates neurotransmission between neurons

• Cell membrane that supports the structure of the neuron

Cell body (soma)

• Structure containing a nucleus that controls the activities of the neuron

• Part of the neuron that transmits signals to other neurons

• The outer layer of the neuron that protects it

• A type of neurotransmitter released by neurons

Reticular formation

• Network of nuclei located within length of brainstem that helps maintain wakefulness & alertness

• A structure in the brain responsible for processing visual information

• A part of the brain that regulates heart rate and blood pressure

• A region in the brain associated with memory and learning

Thalamus

• Double-lobed structure above brainstem that receives sensory info, except smell, & sends info to cerebral cortex

• A double-lobed structure above the brainstem that receives sensory info, except smell, & sends info to cerebral cortex

• A single-lobed structure that regulates emotions and memory

• A structure located in the cerebellum that coordinates voluntary movements

Wernicke's area

• Region within left temporal lobe responsible for comprehension of language & production of meaningful speech

• Area in the right hemisphere associated with emotional tone in speech

• Part of the brain involved in visual processing and recognition

• Region responsible for motor control and coordination of speech production

Cerebellum

• Structure in lower back of the brain involved in balance, judging distance and coordination of fine motor movement

• Part of the brain responsible for emotions and memory

• Region of the brain that regulates breathing and heart rate

• Area of the brain associated with visual processing

Hypothalamus

• Structure below thalamus that regulates sleep, body temp, eating & sex drive

• Structure below the thalamus that regulates sleep, body temp, eating & sex drive

• Structure in the brain responsible for vision

• Structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain

Synapse

• Segment comprised of the action terminal of presynaptic neuron, synaptic cleft and dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron

• A type of neurotransmitter released during synaptic transmission

• The process of converting electrical signals into chemical signals

• A structure that connects two neurons without any chemical interaction

Central nervous system

• A major division of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord that carries sensory information to the CNS via sensory neurons and carries motor messages to the PNS via motor neurons.

• A part of the nervous system that only processes motor information and does not include sensory input.

• The section of the nervous system responsible for voluntary muscle movements only, excluding reflex actions.

• A network of nerves that connects the brain to the digestive system, primarily responsible for gut feelings.

Neurotransmitters

• Molecules found within the nervous system that act as chemical messengers

• Hormones that regulate mood and behavior

• Proteins that provide structural support to neurons

• Enzymes that break down neurotransmitters in the synapse