Biopsych: Nervous System AO1

Question 1

What is the nervous system?

Answer 1

body’s main communication system- fast acting
complex network of specialized nerve cells (neurons)- pass info around body using electrical signals + chemicals (neurotransmitters)

Question 2

What is the CNS made up of?

Answer 2

The brain and spinal cord

Question 3

CNS function?

Answer 3

coords incoming sensory info + sends info to other parts of the NS.

Question 4

outer layer of brain?

Answer 4

cerebral cortex- distinguishes higher mental functions from other animals

Question 5

spinal cord?

Answer 5

extension of the brain

Question 6

spinal cord function?

Answer 6

responsible for reflex actions

Question 7

cerebral cortex?

Answer 7

grey matter
made of cell bodies
white matter- axons, fibre tracts

Question 8

what is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) made of?

Answer 8

nerve fibres

Question 9

what is the PNS?

Answer 9

network of nerve fibres
connects body w/CNS

Question 10

where does PNS send info?

Answer 10

to CNS from outside world
transmits messages from CNS to bodily muscles + glands

Question 11

what is the Somatic Nervous System (SNS)?

Answer 11

controls conscious movement- sends instructions from CNS to effectors in muscles/glands
transmits sensory info from receptor cells in sense organs to CNS

Question 12

what is the SNS made up of?

Answer 12

myelinated neurons- myelin sheath speeds up signal, Nodes of Ranvier give boost.

Question 13

what is the automatic nervous system? (ANS)

Answer 13

control of involuntary bodily functions- not consciously directed

Question 14

what does ANS transmit info from/to?

Answer 14

transmits info to/from internal bodily organs- doesn’t need sensory pathways
slower than SNS- unmyelinated nerve fibres

Question 15

what is ANS made up of?

Answer 15

sympathetic= works w/ endocrine systems- prepare for fight/flight
parasympathetic= works w/endocrine system- return to normal resting state