The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, and pupillary response.| Simply Psychology
The 12 cranial nerves are essential nerve pathways that originate in the brain and serve critical functions in the body, primarily in the head and neck. These nerves are: I. Olfactory (smell), II. Optic (vision), III. Oculomotor (eye movement), IV. Trochlear (eye movement), V. Trigeminal (facial sensation and chewing), VI. Abducent (eye movement), VII. Facial (facial expressions and taste), VIII. Vestibulocochlear (hearing and balance), IX. Glossopharyngeal (taste and swallowing), X. Vagus (c...| Simply Psychology
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with pleasure, reward, motivation, and motor control. In psychology, it's linked to feelings of gratification and is implicated in mood disorders, addiction, and certain behaviors when its levels are imbalanced.| Simply Psychology
The cerebellum, located at the base of the brain, is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining posture, balance, and equilibrium, as well as refining motor movements to be smooth and precise. It also plays a role in some cognitive functions, such as attention and language processing.| Simply Psychology
The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord. It acts as the body's control center, processing sensory information and directing responses. The CNS coordinates both voluntary activities, like movement, and involuntary ones, such as breathing and heartbeat.| Simply Psychology
The limbic system is a complex set of brain structures involved in emotion, motivation, memory, and behavior regulation. Key components include the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and cingulate gyrus. It's central to emotional processing, memory formation, and various autonomic functions, bridging higher cognitive processes and primal emotions.| Simply Psychology
A neuron is a nerve cell that processes and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals in the nervous system. Neurons consist of a cell body, dendrites (which receive signals), and an axon (which sends signals). Synaptic connections allow communication between neurons, facilitating the relay of information throughout the body.| Simply Psychology
The fight or flight response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It prepares your body to either confront or flee from the threat by triggering changes like increased heart rate, quickened breathing, and heightened alertness.| Simply Psychology
