Approaches - Biopsychology Flashcards
Purpose of nervous system
- Collect, process & respond to information from env.
- Co-ordinate the working of different organs & cells in the body
Peripheral Nervous system
Sends info to the central nervous system from outside world
Somatic Nervous system
Controls muscle movement
Autonomic Nervous system
Controls vital functions
Sympathetic Nervous system
Fight/flight response
Parasympathetic Nervous system
Rest/digest response
Neurons
Transmit signals electrically & chemically
Cell body
Includes a nucleus which contains genetic material
Dendrites
Branch-like structures that come out the nerve cell to connect with other neurons
Axon
Carries nerve impulses away from the cell body
Myelin sheath
Insulates & protects axon & helps to speed up electrical transmission along the axon
Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps in myelin sheath that force impulse to jump across gaps along the axon (increase speed of electrical impulse)
Terminal buttons/Axon terminal
At end of axon, send impulses to next neuron across the synapse, contain tiny sacs containing neurotransmitters
Sensory neuron
Long dendrite & short axons -> carry messages from PNS to CNS
Relay neuron
Short dendrites & short axons -> connect sensory neurons to motor/other relay neurons
Motor neuron
Short dendrites & long axons -> relay info from CNS to effectors (muscles & glands)
Synaptic transmission
Process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemicals messages across the gap that separate them (synapse)
Neurotransmitters
Brain chemicals that affect cognitive processes and behaviour
Excitation
Neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of postsynaptic neuron, increases likelihood that neuron will pass on electrical impulse
Inhibition
Neurotransmitter increase the negative charge of postsynaptic neuron, decreases likelihood that neuron will pass on electrical impulse
Endocrine system
- Secrete hormones which are required to regulate many bodily functions
- Provide chemical system of communication via blood stream
Glands
Organs that produce substances such as hormones
Thyroid gland
Produces thyroxine -> increases metabolic rates -> affects growth rates
Pituitary glands
Major endocrine gland is located in the brain (master gland)
Adrenal gland
Produces adrenaline -> stimulates sympathetic nervous system -> fight/flight responses
HPA axis (1)
Describes sequence of bodily activity in response to stress (prolonged) involving: hypothalamus, pituitary gland & adrenal cortex
HPA axis (2)
Hypothalamus -> releases CRH -> causes pituitary gland to release ACTH -> stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol
