Biological Influences Flashcards
Subdivisions of the human nervous system
-Central nervous system
-Peripheral nervous system
Subdivisions of the CNS
-Brain
-Spinal cord
Subdivisions of the PNS
Somatic & autonomic nervous system
Subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous system
Central nervous system (CNS)
Receives and transmits information to and from the peripheral nervous system
Brain
The largest part of the CNS and is the command and control centre of humans
Spinal cord
-Receives information from the peripheral nervous system and transmits it to the CNS
-Receives information from the brain and sends it to other parts of the body via the peripheral nervous system
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Transmits messages to and from the central nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Receives sensory information from organs such as the skin, ears and eyes, and communicates information via the sensory nerves to the CNS and motor messages from the CNS to skeletal muscles
Subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system
The sympatheic & parasympathetic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
A network of neurons that transmit messages between the brain and the smooth muscles found in the heart, lungs, blood vessels and glands via the spinal cord; it is self regulatory
Sympathetic nervous system
Arouses the body to perform, act or react
Parasympathetic nervous system
Calms the body down to conserve energy
Forebrain
The outer brain areas are involved in perception, learning, motor and conceptual activities, while those areas near the centre of the brain are involved in internal and automatic bodily functions such as body temperature, reproductive functions, eating, sleeping and emotions
Cerebrum
Controls motor and mental activity
Thalamus
Acts as a filter from sensory organs to the appropriate area of the brain
Hypothalamus
Regulates various hormones and influences basic needs behaviours, such as thirst, hunger and sleep
Hypothalamus
Regulates various hormones and influences basic needs behaviours, such as thirst, hunger and sleep
Limbic system
Controls emotions and motivations
Midbrain
Relays messages to the forebrain; important in vision and hearing, as well as in muscular movement
Cerebellum
Responsible for motor control and body balance
Hindbrain/brainstem
Connects the brain with the spinal cord and is responsible for breathing, sleeping patterns, hunger and thirst, blood pressure, heart rhythms and body temperature; it also helps to regulate the central nervous system
Pons
Responsible for eye movements, chewing and facial expressions
Reticular system
Important in sleep as well as in arousal and attention
Medulla oblongata
Deals with heart rate, breathing and blood pressure
Sympathetic nervous system reactions
-‘Fight or flight’
-Rapid heartbeat, faster breathing
-Dry mouth and dilated pupils
Parasympathetic nervous system reactions
-Heart rate goes down
-Start to breathe normally
-Start to salivate again
Role of synpapses
-Synpatic transmission relies on chemical balences in the cell and electrical transmission of impulses through the neuron
-Synapses work by sending information between one neuron and another
