Approaches - Biopsychology

Question 1

Purpose of nervous system

Answer 1

• Collect, process & respond to information from env.
• Co-ordinate the working of different organs & cells in the body

Question 2

Peripheral Nervous system

Answer 2

Sends info to the central nervous system from outside world

Question 3

Somatic Nervous system

Answer 3

Controls muscle movement

Question 4

Autonomic Nervous system

Answer 4

Controls vital functions

Question 5

Sympathetic Nervous system

Answer 5

Fight/flight response

Question 6

Parasympathetic Nervous system

Answer 6

Rest/digest response

Question 7

Neurons

Answer 7

Transmit signals electrically & chemically

Question 8

Cell body

Answer 8

Includes a nucleus which contains genetic material

Question 9

Dendrites

Answer 9

Branch-like structures that come out the nerve cell to connect with other neurons

Question 10

Axon

Answer 10

Carries nerve impulses away from the cell body

Question 11

Myelin sheath

Answer 11

Insulates & protects axon & helps to speed up electrical transmission along the axon

Question 12

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 12

Gaps in myelin sheath that force impulse to jump across gaps along the axon (increase speed of electrical impulse)

Question 13

Terminal buttons/Axon terminal

Answer 13

At end of axon, send impulses to next neuron across the synapse, contain tiny sacs containing neurotransmitters

Question 14

Sensory neuron

Answer 14

Long dendrite & short axons -> carry messages from PNS to CNS

Question 15

Relay neuron

Answer 15

Short dendrites & short axons -> connect sensory neurons to motor/other relay neurons

Question 16

Motor neuron

Answer 16

Short dendrites & long axons -> relay info from CNS to effectors (muscles & glands)

Question 17

Synaptic transmission

Answer 17

Process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemicals messages across the gap that separate them (synapse)

Question 18

Neurotransmitters

Answer 18

Brain chemicals that affect cognitive processes and behaviour

Question 19

Excitation

Answer 19

Neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of postsynaptic neuron, increases likelihood that neuron will pass on electrical impulse

Question 20

Inhibition

Answer 20

Neurotransmitter increase the negative charge of postsynaptic neuron, decreases likelihood that neuron will pass on electrical impulse

Question 21

Endocrine system

Answer 21

• Secrete hormones which are required to regulate many bodily functions
• Provide chemical system of communication via blood stream

Question 22

Glands

Answer 22

Organs that produce substances such as hormones

Question 23

Thyroid gland

Answer 23

Produces thyroxine -> increases metabolic rates -> affects growth rates

Question 24

Pituitary glands

Answer 24

Major endocrine gland is located in the brain (master gland)

Question 25

Adrenal gland

Answer 25

Produces adrenaline -> stimulates sympathetic nervous system -> fight/flight responses

Question 26

HPA axis (1)

Answer 26

Describes sequence of bodily activity in response to stress (prolonged) involving: hypothalamus, pituitary gland & adrenal cortex

Question 27

HPA axis (2)

Answer 27

Hypothalamus -> releases CRH -> causes pituitary gland to release ACTH -> stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol