MCAT Prep Quicksheet (2023 A+)
Organization of the nervous system - ANS-There are three types of neurons in the
nervous system: Motor (efferent),
... [Show More] interneurons, and sensory (afferent)
Parasympathetic Branch - ANS-The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic system is
focused on "rest-and-digest" responses
Sympathetic Branch - ANS-The sympathetic branch is focused on "fight-or-flight"
Functions of the Parasympathetic Branch - ANS-Constricts Pupils
Stimulates flow of saliva
Constricts bronchi
Slows heartbeat
Stimulates peristalsis and secretion
Stimulates bile release
Contracts bladder
Functions of the Sympathetic Branch - ANS-Dilates Pupils
Inhibits salivation
Relaxes bronchi
Accelerates heartbeat
Piloerection or sweating
Inhibits peristalsis and secretion
Stimulates glucose production and release
Secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline
Inhibits bladder contraction
Stimulates orgasm
Organization of the brain: 3 parts - ANS-Hindbrain, Midbrain, Forebrain
Hindbrain - ANS-Consists of the cerebellum, medulla, oblongata, and reticular formation
Midbrain - ANS-Consists of the inferior and superior colliculi
Forebrain - ANS-Consists the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, limbic system,
and cerebral cortex
Parts of the Forebrain: Thalamus - ANS-relay station for sensory information
Parts of the Forebrain: Hypothalamus - ANS-Maintains homeostasis and integrates with
the endocrine system through the hypophyseal portal system that connects it to the
anterior pituitary
Parts of the Forebrain: Basal Ganglia - ANS-Smoothens movements and helps maintain
postural stability
Parts of the Forebrain: Limbic System - ANS-Controls emotion and memory which
includes:
*Septal Nuclei: pleasure seeking
*Amygdala: Fear and aggression
*Hippocampus: Memory
*Fornix: Communication within the limbic system
Parts of the Forebrain: Cerebral Cortex - ANS-Divided into four lobes: Frontal, Parietal,
Occipital, Temporal
Frontal Lobe - ANS-Executive function, impulse control, long-term planning (prefrontal
cortex), motor function (primary motor cortex), and speech production(Broca's area)
Parietal Lobe - ANS-Sensation of touch, pressure, temperature, and pain
(somatosensory cortex); spatial processing, orientation, and manipulation
Occipital Lobe - ANS-Visual Processing
Temporal Lobe - ANS-Sound processing (auditory cortex), speech perception
(Wernicke's area), memory, and emotion (Limbic System)
Shortened version of the Lobes - ANS-*Frontal Lobe (Executive Function)
Primary Motor Cortex
*Parietal Lobe (Touch, temperature, and pain)
Primary Somatosensory Cortex
*Occipital Lobe (vision)
*Temporal Lobe (hearing)
Methods of mapping the brain - ANS-EEG
rCBF
CT
PET
MRI
fMRI
Influences on Behavior - ANS-aka Neurotransmitters and the resulting behavior
Acetylcholine - ANS-Voluntary muscle control, parasympathetic nervous system,
attention, alertness
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine - ANS-Fight-or-flight responses, wakefulness,
alertness
Dopamine - ANS-Smooth movements, postural stability
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