Biopsych Flashcards
what does the nervous system divide up into
Central nervous sytem- brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system- somatic and autonomic
nerve cells that carry messages around the body
function of the brain
takes information from senses, interprets it and acts on it
the brain is the centre of all conscious awareness and is involved in all physiological processes
function of the spinal cord
passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system
also responsible for reflex actions
function of the somatic nervous system
recives info from sesnsory receptors and sned this information to the CNS
relays info to motor neurons
control muscle movement
function of the autonomic nervous system
nerves of ANS connect to the CNS to the internal organs
plays important role in homeostasis
control invoulantary functions, works automatically
divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
what are neurons
nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
structure of neurons
cells body- includes and neucleus and contains angentic code
dendrites- at the end of the neurone, receive electrical impulses from neighbouring neurons and carry information towards the cell body
axon-transfers electrical impulse signals from the cell body to the neighbouring neurons
myelin sheaf- cover the axon and act like insulation to keep electrical signals inside the cell, allowing them to move quicker
functions of a neurone
receive, respond and send messages
messages sent by neurons are called action potentials
the function of sensory neurone
carry messages from the 5 senses to the CNS
convert information from the sensory receptors into nerve impulses passed to brain or spinal cord
long dendrites short axons
the function of the relay neurone
connects sensory neurone to motor neurone or other really neurones
allows neurones to communicate witheachother
short dendrites and short axons
the function of the motor neurone
connects the CNS to muscles and glands
releases neurotransmitters that bind to receptor sites on the muscles and trigger a response that leads to muscle movement
short dendrites and long axons
explain the process of synaptic transmission
action potential reaches the end of a neurone
the pre-synaptic neurone releases neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles into the synaptic gap
the neurotransmitters diffuse across the synapse to the postsynaptic receptor sites on the postsynaptic receptors
they then either fire or not
neurotransmitters are then reuptaken by the presynaptic neuron, where they are stored ready for later use
quicker the neurotransmitter is taken up the less effective it is
explain excitation and EPSP
if a neuron becomes positively charged it is more likely to fire
an excitatory neurotransmitter binding with the postsynaptic neurotrnasmitter results in an excitatory synaptic potential (EPSP), the postsynaptic cell is more likely to fire
explain inhibition and IPSP
a neuron that is negatively charged is less likely to fire
an inhibitory neurotransmitter binding with postsynaptic neurotransmitter results in an inhibitory synaptic potential (IPSP), meaning postsynaptic receptor is less likely to fire
explain the decision wether to fire or not
if the number of excitatory neurotransmitters is the same as the number of inhibitory neurotransmitters they cancel themselves out and do not fire
if excitatroy synapses are ore active, cells fire at a high rate
if inhibitory synapses are active, cells fire at a lower rate or not at all
what is the function of the endorcrine system
secretes hormones in the body from the glands which are needed to regulate bodily functions and provide a chemical system of communication via the bloodstream
works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body using the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous sytem
what are hormones
act as chemical messengers in the body telling it to perform physical and mental functions.
transmit info via the bloodstream
alter the probability of behaviour occurring
role of the hypothalamus
controls the release of 8 major hormones by the pituitary gland
role of the pituitary gland
master gland, controls the release of hormones from all other glands in the endocrine system
role of the adrenal gland
control the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood stream as a response to fight or flight causing physiological changes
role of the thyroid
plays major role in metabolism, growth and maturation
role of the ovaries
two small organs for child birth, secretes the female sex hormone
role of the testes
two small gland which produce sperm and the hormone testosterone
explain the fight or flight response
1.a stressor is perceived
2.the amygdala sends a message to the hypothalamus
the hypothalamus activates the sympathomeduallary pathway (SAM pathway)
- the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal medulla
- the adrenal medulla secretes the hormone adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood stream
- adrenaline causes a number of physiological changes to prepare body for fight of flight
- once the stress is over the parasympathetic nervous system is activated and slows activity down
what are the physical changes in the sympathetic branch
increased heart rate- speed up blow flow to vital organs
increased breathing rate- increase oxygen intake
pupil dilation- improve vision
reduced functioning of the digestive system- save energy for prioritised functions such as running
muscle tension- improve reaction time and speed
what are the physical changes in the parasympathetic branch
rest and digest
decreases heart rate
decreases breathing rate
constricts pupils
stimulates digestion
relaxes muscles
dilates blood vessels
strength of fight or flight
practical application- has allowed us to come up with strategies to counteract its effects
learning relaxation techniques to counter fight or flight
In modern society we do not often feel stressed by situations that are life or death and the release of hormones can have a negative effect on health
thus practical applications can have positive implications for the economy and reduce the effects
weaknesses of fight or flight
more than two responses- freeze response
during the freeze response, humans are hypervigilant while they appriase the situation and decide the best course of action
gender bias- women have tend a befriend response, women more likely to protect their offspring and form alliances with other women
highlights a beta bius within psychology
