bio psychology Flashcards
what is the nervous system
the body’s main communication system which is very fast acting.
complex network of specialised nerve cells (neutrons) which pass information around the body using electrical signals and chemicals (neurotransmitters).
what is the central nervous system made up of and what is the function.
the brain and spinal cord
the brain is the centre of the conscious behaviour
coordinates incoming sensory information and sends instructions to other parts of the NS. this is our store of knowledge and habits.
what is the outer layer of the brain called
cerebral cortex (3mm outer layer) and is highly developed in humans and distinguishes our higher mental functions from other animals.
also known as grey matter due to the colour of it. it is made up of cell bodies. the white matter is made up of axons which form fibre tracts.
what is the spinal cord and it’s function
an extension of the brain. it is responsible for reflex actions.
ensures that signals from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body via the PNS.
what is the peripheral nervous system and what is it made up of.
made up of nerve fibres (axons) which are connected to the CNS.
network of nerve fibres
connects parts of the body with CNS.
where does the PNS send information to/from
sends informations to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body.
what is the somatic nervous system
transmits sensory and motor signals to and from the central nervous system. it controls conscious movement as it sends instructions from the CNS to effectors in muscles/glands.
it also transmits information from receptor cells in sense organs to the CNS (takes information from the external environment)
it needs to act quickly so it is made up of myelinated neurons.
what is the somatic nervous made up of and why
- Stimulus detections – a sensory receptor detects a stimulus.
- Sensory neuron activation – the sensory receptor sends an electrical impulse along a sensory neuron towards the CNS typically the spinal chord.
- Relay neuron – in the spinal chord the impulse reaches an integration centre. This is usually a synapse between the sensory neuron and a motor neuron or an interneuron, which then relays the signal.
- Motor neuron activation – the impulse is transmitted to a mkotor neuron. The motor neuron carried the signal away from the CNS to an effector.
- Effector response – the effector which is usually a muscle or gland produces a response.
what is the autonomic nervous system
controls the function of our organs and glands
responsible for control of involuntary bodily functions, which are not consciously directed such as breathing, heartbeat, digestive processes and sexual arousal - not the same as unconscious
where does the autonomic nervous system transmit information to/from
only transmits information to and from internal bodily organs (therefore it does not need sensory pathways)
it acts more slowly than the SNS and is therefore made up of unmyelinated nerve fibres
it has rptwo main divisions; sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
what is the autonomic system made up of
sympathetic and parasympathetic
what is sympathetic nervous system
works with the endocrine system (comprising glands and hormones) to get the body prepared for fight or flight.
what is parasympathetic nervous system
works with the endocrine system to return the body to its normal resting state (rest and digest)
what is an effector
in muscles/glands and sends signals to them
sense organs
the specialised organs composed of sensory neutrons which help us to perceive and respond to our surroundings.
