6 - Biopsychology (AS-Level) Flashcards
The Nervous System The Endocrine System Neurons and Synapses The 'Fight or Flight' Response
What are the subdivisions of the human nervous system?
Human NS → Peripheral NS + Central NS
Peripheral NS → Autonomic NS + Somatic NS
Autonomic NS → Sympathetic NS + Parasympathetic NS
What are the 2 sub-divisions of the central nervous system (CNS)?
Brain and spinal chord
What is the function of the CNS?
Controls behaviour, bodily processes and muscles
What is the function of the PNS?
Relays messages to/from CNS
What are the 2 sub-divisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
Somatic and autonomic NS
What is the function of the somatic NS?
- Carries sensory information from the world to the brain
- Provides muscle responses
What is the function of the autonomic NS?
It controls involuntary/unconscious actions
What is the function of the sympathetic NS?
Involved in triggering responses to help us deal with emergencies (‘Fight or Flight’ response)
What is the function of the parasympathetic NS?
Controls bodily functions when a person is at rest
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum?
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Temporal lobe
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Used for higher-order functions (eg. planning and logic)
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
- Integrates information from different senses
- Important for spatial navigation
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Processes visual information
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Processes auditory information
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Controls motor skills, balance and coordinating the muscles to allow precise movements
What are the 2 parts of the diencephalon?
Thalamus and hypothalamus
What is the function of the thalamus?
Acts as a relay station for nerve impulses coming from senses and directing them to the appropriate part of the brain to be processed
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
- Regulates body temperature, hunger and thirst
- Controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland
- Links the endocrine and nervous system together
What is the function of the brain stem?
- Controls automatic functions (eg. heartbeat, breathing and swallowing
- Connects the brain and spinal cord, allowing impulses to travel between them via motor and sensory neurons
What is the endocrine system?
A network of glands throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones