biopsychology 1 Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
specialised networks of cells that transfer electrical and chemical signals
What are the two main functions of the nervous system?
collect process and respond to info in the environment
Coordinate different organs and cells in the body
What are the two subsystems of the nervous system?
Central nervous system (CNS)
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS made up of?
Brain and spinal cord
What are the properties and structure of the brain?
Centre of conscious awareness cerebral cortex (outlay) is 3 mm thick divided into two hemispheres
What are the properties and function of the spinal cord?
extension of the brain
passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to PNS
what is the function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
sends info to the CNS from the outside world
send messages from CNS to effectors
What are the subsystems of the PNS?
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
somatic nervous system (SMS)
what is the function of the ANS?
governs vital functions e.g. breathing heart rate digestion stress response
operates involuntary
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Governs muscle movement and receives info from sensory receptors
What are the subsystems of the autonomic nervous system?
sympathetic nervous system parasympathetic nervous system 
What are the biological changes associated with the sympathetic nervous system?
increased heart rate increase breathing rate Dilated pupils inhibited digestion inhibited saliva production contracted rectum
What are the biological changes associated with the parasympathetic nervous system?
decreased heart rate decrease breathing rate constricted pupils stimulated digestion stimulating saliva production relaxed rectum
What is the endocrine system?
Information system the instruction glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream
works slower than nervous system
has widespread effects
What are glands?
organs that produces hormones
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers that circulate in the bloodstream and affect target organs
Produced in large quantities but disappear quickly
What is the master gland?
The pituitary gland located in the brain
Controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands
what is the flight and fight response?
stressor perceived by hypothalamus which activates the pituitary
sympathetic nervous system is aroused
Adrenaline is released from adrenal gland
causes an immediate and automatic response to the threat
Parasympathetic nervous system returns body to resting state
What are neurons?
Nerve cells that produce and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
What are the three types of neuron?
Sensory relay motor
What is the function of a sensory neuron?
Carry messages from PNS to CNS
What is the function of a relay neuron?
Connect sensory and motor neurons
What is the function of a motor neuron?
Connect CNS to effectors e.g. muscles and glands
What is the structure of a sensory neuron?
Long dendrite
short axons
What is the structure of a relay neuron?
Short dendrites
short axons
What is the structure of a motor neuron?
short dendrites
long axon
What is the cell body of a neuron?
A.k.a. soma – includes a nucleus which contains genetic material
What is a dendrite?
Branch like structures that protrude from the cell body
carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body
What is an ax on?
Carry electrical impulses away from the cell body
covered in fatty layer of myelin sheath that protects an insulates axon
Gaps in the axon (node of Ranvier) speeds up transmission of impulse
What are terminal buttons?
At the end of axon communicate with the next neuron across the synapse
What is electrical transmission?
when you’re in resting state the inside of the cells are negatively charged
when a neuron is activated the inside of the cell becomes positively charged causing an action potential
This creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon to the terminal button
What is a synapse?
the gap between two synapses
What is synaptic transmission?
The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synapse
describe synaptic transmission
when the electrical impulse reaches the presynaptic terminal binds to synaptic vesicles triggering them to release neurotransmitters into the synapse
The neurotransmitters bind to the postsynaptic receptor site
The chemical message is converted back into an electrical impulse
What is excitation?
When a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the post synaptic neuron increasing the likelihood that the electrical impulse will be passed on
What is inhibition?
When a neurotransmitter increases the negative charge of the post synaptic neuron decrease in the likelihood that the electrical impulse will be passed on
