AP Psychology Flashcards: Overview Of The Nervous System

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Overview Of The Nervous System, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the type of neuron that carries signals to the CNS.

Answer: Sensory neurons. Also called afferent neurons; detect environmental changes.

Flashcard 2: Which cells support and protect neurons?

Answer: Glial cells. Provide structural support, nutrition, and immune protection.

Flashcard 3: What is the function of the brainstem?

Answer: To regulate basic life functions such as breathing. Includes medulla, pons, and midbrain; controls survival functions.

Flashcard 4: Identify the primary function of the occipital lobe.

Answer: To process visual information. Contains primary visual cortex at brain's back.

Flashcard 5: Which cells form the myelin sheath in the CNS?

Answer: Oligodendrocytes. Specialized glial cells that myelinate central nervous system axons.

Flashcard 6: Identify the function of the spinal cord.

Answer: To transmit information between the body and brain. Protected highway for neural signals traveling to/from brain.

Flashcard 7: Identify the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

Answer: Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Work in opposition to maintain bodily balance.

Flashcard 8: Identify the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

Answer: Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Work in opposition to maintain bodily balance.

Flashcard 9: Identify the brain region responsible for speech production.

Answer: Broca's area. Located in left frontal lobe; damage causes speech difficulties.

Flashcard 10: Identify the brain region responsible for speech production.

Answer: Broca's area. Located in left frontal lobe; damage causes speech difficulties.

Flashcard 11: What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer: To control involuntary bodily functions. Controls heart rate, breathing, and other automatic processes.

Flashcard 12: What is the role of the myelin sheath?

Answer: To insulate axons and speed up impulse transmission. Fatty layer that increases signal speed up to 100x faster.

Flashcard 13: What structure connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

Answer: The corpus callosum. Thick bundle of nerve fibers enabling brain hemisphere communication.

Flashcard 14: Identify the gap between two neurons.

Answer: Synaptic cleft. Tiny space where neurotransmitters cross between neurons.

Flashcard 15: What is the role of the frontal lobe?

Answer: To control voluntary movement and cognitive functions. Houses personality, decision-making, and motor cortex.

Flashcard 16: What chemical substances are released at synapses?

Answer: Neurotransmitters. Chemical messengers that enable neural communication.

Flashcard 17: What is the function of interneurons?

Answer: To connect sensory and motor neurons. Found in CNS; enable complex processing and reflexes.

Flashcard 18: Which brain structure regulates emotions and drives?

Answer: The limbic system. Includes hippocampus, amygdala, and other emotional centers.

Flashcard 19: What structures are included in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?

Answer: Cranial nerves and spinal nerves. All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Flashcard 20: What function does the parietal lobe serve?

Answer: To process sensory information. Integrates touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness.

Flashcard 21: Which cells form the myelin sheath in the CNS?

Answer: Oligodendrocytes. Specialized glial cells that myelinate central nervous system axons.

Flashcard 22: What is the blood-brain barrier?

Answer: A selective permeability barrier protecting the brain. Filters harmful substances while allowing nutrients through.

Flashcard 23: What chemical substances are released at synapses?

Answer: Neurotransmitters. Chemical messengers that enable neural communication.

Flashcard 24: Which area of the brain is involved in language comprehension?

Answer: Wernicke's area. Located in temporal lobe; damage impairs language understanding.

Flashcard 25: Identify the type of neuron that carries signals to the CNS.

Answer: Sensory neurons. Also called afferent neurons; detect environmental changes.

Flashcard 26: What function does the parietal lobe serve?

Answer: To process sensory information. Integrates touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness.

Flashcard 27: What role does the parasympathetic nervous system play?

Answer: To promote 'rest and digest' activities. Conserves energy and promotes recovery after stress.

Flashcard 28: What is the main function of the nervous system?

Answer: To coordinate body activities by transmitting signals. Acts as the body's control system, integrating and responding to stimuli.

Flashcard 29: Which cells support and protect neurons?

Answer: Glial cells. Provide structural support, nutrition, and immune protection.

Flashcard 30: What is the primary neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic system?

Answer: Acetylcholine. Promotes calming, restorative functions like digestion.

Flashcard 31: What is the primary role of neurons?

Answer: To transmit nerve impulses. Specialized cells that conduct electrical signals throughout the body.

Flashcard 32: Which neurons transmit signals from the CNS to muscles?

Answer: Motor neurons. Also called efferent neurons; enable movement and responses.

Flashcard 33: What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer: To control involuntary bodily functions. Controls heart rate, breathing, and other automatic processes.

Flashcard 34: What is the dorsal root of a spinal nerve responsible for?

Answer: To carry sensory information to the CNS. Contains sensory neuron cell bodies entering spinal cord.

Flashcard 35: What is the function of the ventral root of a spinal nerve?

Answer: To carry motor information from the CNS. Contains motor neuron axons exiting spinal cord.

Flashcard 36: Which area of the brain is involved in language comprehension?

Answer: Wernicke's area. Located in temporal lobe; damage impairs language understanding.

Flashcard 37: What is the primary neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic system?

Answer: Acetylcholine. Promotes calming, restorative functions like digestion.

Flashcard 38: What is the role of the frontal lobe?

Answer: To control voluntary movement and cognitive functions. Houses personality, decision-making, and motor cortex.

Flashcard 39: Identify the gap between two neurons.

Answer: Synaptic cleft. Tiny space where neurotransmitters cross between neurons.

Flashcard 40: What are the components of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

Answer: The brain and spinal cord. Brain controls thoughts and behavior; spinal cord relays signals.

Flashcard 41: What is the largest part of the human brain?

Answer: The cerebrum. Contains four lobes responsible for higher-order thinking.

Flashcard 42: What structure connects the two hemispheres of the brain?

Answer: The corpus callosum. Thick bundle of nerve fibers enabling brain hemisphere communication.

Flashcard 43: Identify the primary function of the occipital lobe.

Answer: To process visual information. Contains primary visual cortex at brain's back.

Flashcard 44: Identify the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord.

Answer: The meninges. Three protective membranes that cushion neural tissue.

Flashcard 45: What is the primary function of the thalamus?

Answer: To relay sensory information to the cerebral cortex. Acts as brain's relay station for sensory input.

Flashcard 46: Which brain structure regulates emotions and drives?

Answer: The limbic system. Includes hippocampus, amygdala, and other emotional centers.

Flashcard 47: What is the dorsal root of a spinal nerve responsible for?

Answer: To carry sensory information to the CNS. Contains sensory neuron cell bodies entering spinal cord.

Flashcard 48: Identify the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord.

Answer: The meninges. Three protective membranes that cushion neural tissue.

Flashcard 49: What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer: To prepare the body for 'fight or flight'. Increases heart rate, dilates pupils, releases stress hormones.

Flashcard 50: What is the function of the brainstem?

Answer: To regulate basic life functions such as breathing. Includes medulla, pons, and midbrain; controls survival functions.

Flashcard 51: What is the primary neurotransmitter in the sympathetic system?

Answer: Norepinephrine. Activates fight-or-flight responses and arousal.

Flashcard 52: What is the main function of the hypothalamus?

Answer: To regulate homeostasis and endocrine functions. Controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and hormone release.

Flashcard 53: What is an action potential?

Answer: A rapid rise and fall in membrane potential. The electrical signal that travels down a neuron's axon.

Flashcard 54: What role does the parasympathetic nervous system play?

Answer: To promote 'rest and digest' activities. Conserves energy and promotes recovery after stress.

Flashcard 55: Define 'synapse' in the context of neural communication.

Answer: A junction between two neurons. Where chemical communication occurs between neurons.

Flashcard 56: Identify the function of the spinal cord.

Answer: To transmit information between the body and brain. Protected highway for neural signals traveling to/from brain.

Flashcard 57: What is the function of interneurons?

Answer: To connect sensory and motor neurons. Found in CNS; enable complex processing and reflexes.

Flashcard 58: What is the function of the ventral root of a spinal nerve?

Answer: To carry motor information from the CNS. Contains motor neuron axons exiting spinal cord.

Flashcard 59: What are the components of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

Answer: The brain and spinal cord. Brain controls thoughts and behavior; spinal cord relays signals.

Flashcard 60: What is the main role of the temporal lobe?

Answer: To process auditory information and memory. Houses auditory cortex and hippocampus for memory formation.

Flashcard 61: Which part of the brain regulates balance and coordination?

Answer: The cerebellum. Located behind brainstem; coordinates smooth movements.

Flashcard 62: Define 'synapse' in the context of neural communication.

Answer: A junction between two neurons. Where chemical communication occurs between neurons.

Flashcard 63: What is the role of Schwann cells?

Answer: To produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Wrap around axons to form protective myelin coating.

Flashcard 64: What is the main role of the temporal lobe?

Answer: To process auditory information and memory. Houses auditory cortex and hippocampus for memory formation.

Flashcard 65: What is the role of the myelin sheath?

Answer: To insulate axons and speed up impulse transmission. Fatty layer that increases signal speed up to 100x faster.

Flashcard 66: What is the blood-brain barrier?

Answer: A selective permeability barrier protecting the brain. Filters harmful substances while allowing nutrients through.

Flashcard 67: What is the largest part of the human brain?

Answer: The cerebrum. Contains four lobes responsible for higher-order thinking.

Flashcard 68: What is the primary role of neurons?

Answer: To transmit nerve impulses. Specialized cells that conduct electrical signals throughout the body.

Flashcard 69: Identify the two main parts of the nervous system.

Answer: Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System. CNS processes information; PNS connects CNS to body parts.

Flashcard 70: What is the primary neurotransmitter in the sympathetic system?

Answer: Norepinephrine. Activates fight-or-flight responses and arousal.

Flashcard 71: What is the role of Schwann cells?

Answer: To produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Wrap around axons to form protective myelin coating.

Flashcard 72: What structures are included in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?

Answer: Cranial nerves and spinal nerves. All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Flashcard 73: What is the main function of the nervous system?

Answer: To coordinate body activities by transmitting signals. Acts as the body's control system, integrating and responding to stimuli.

Flashcard 74: What is the primary function of the thalamus?

Answer: To relay sensory information to the cerebral cortex. Acts as brain's relay station for sensory input.

Flashcard 75: Identify the two main parts of the nervous system.

Answer: Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System. CNS processes information; PNS connects CNS to body parts.

Flashcard 76: What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer: To prepare the body for 'fight or flight'. Increases heart rate, dilates pupils, releases stress hormones.

Flashcard 77: What is the main function of the hypothalamus?

Answer: To regulate homeostasis and endocrine functions. Controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and hormone release.

Flashcard 78: Which neurons transmit signals from the CNS to muscles?

Answer: Motor neurons. Also called efferent neurons; enable movement and responses.

Flashcard 79: What is an action potential?

Answer: A rapid rise and fall in membrane potential. The electrical signal that travels down a neuron's axon.

Flashcard 80: Which part of the brain regulates balance and coordination?

Answer: The cerebellum. Located behind brainstem; coordinates smooth movements.