Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

PSYCHOLOGY (paper 2) > biopsychology 1 > Flashcards

biopsychology 1 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

what is the nervous system?

A

-a specialist network of cells, made up of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

the CNS

A

made up of the brain and the spinal cord
↳ it’s role is to control behaviour and regulate the body’s physiological processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

the PNS

A

transmits messages, via millions of neurons, to and from the CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are the subdivisions of the PNS?

A

-the ANS (autonomic nervous system)
-the SNS (somatic nervous system)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

controls vital functions e.g. breathing, heart rate, digestion, stress

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

somatic nervous system (SNS)

A

controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what does the autonomic nervous system split into?

A

-the SANS (sympathetic autonomic nervous system)
-the PANS (parasympathetic autonomic nervous system)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

SANS

A

(sympathetic autonomic nervous system)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

PANS

A

(parasympathetic autonomic nervous system)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what two things do humans, like animals have?

A

two major physiological systems that regulate behaviour in response to the
environment

(the nervous system and the endocrine system)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is the endocrine system?

A

a system of glands that release hormones into the blood stream where they are carried to target organs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the nervous system?

A

-the primary internal communication system
-based on electrical and chemical signals
-neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what are the two main functions of the nervous system?

A

1) collect, process and respond to information from the environment

2) to coordinate the internal environment
(subdivided into the CNS and PNS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is the brain?

A

-the centre of all conscious awareness
-the brain is divided in two hemispheres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what does the brain do?

A

it receives information from sensory receptors and sends messages to muscle
glands in the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is the spinal cord?

A

an extension of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what does the spinal cord do?

A

-it consists of a collection of nerve cells which are attached to the brain and run the length of the spinal column
-it carries messages back and forth between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what does the PNS consist of?

A

consists of all other nerves which are not part of the CNS, reaching out to the other parts of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what does the PNS do?

A

-relays information via nerve impulses from the rest of the body back to the CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what is the PNS divided into?

A

➢ the somatic nervous system (SNS)
➢ the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what is the SNS?

A

the part of the PNS that could be said to talk to’ the outside world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what does the SNS do?

A

-it includes both sensory receptors and motor pathways
-the sensory neurons carry sensory information to the CNS
-the motor pathways run the opposite way & take information from the CNS out, for example to muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what does the ANS do?

A

-regulates the body’s internal processes
(has an important role in homeostasis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what does the ANS consist of?

A

-it uses only motor pathways

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

how is the ANS subdivided?

A

into two sections…
-sympathetic nervous system (SANS)
-parasympathetic Nervous System (PANS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what does the sympathetic autonomic nervous system do?

A

gets us ready for emergencies and is involved in the fight or flight response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what does the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system do?

A

restores natural order, relaxing us after an
emergency
(sometimes called ‘rest and digest’)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

how is the nervous system working?
(the bell rings, and the students start packing up their bags)

A

1) the sound of the bell ringing is picked up by the students’ ears and transmitted via the peripheral nervous system (the SNS) to the brain (a sensory message)

2) the brain recognises the sound as a bell and interprets it as a signal that the lesson is ended

3) to fulfil the goal of packing up and going elsewhere, the brain sends out a large number of messages, via the somatic nervous system

4) these motor messages are carried by the spinal cord to the skeletal muscles, where they result in movements that allow the students to pick up their belongings

5) throughout this process the brain relies on visual sensory input via the PNS in order to identify the locations of objects, decide whether they are personal possessions and co- ordinate the control of the muscles in order for movements to be accurate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

things that happen due to a fight or flight reaction:

A

-increased breathing rate
-increased heart rate
-sweating
-churning tummy
-pupils dilate
-dry mouth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

why do fight or flight responses occur?

A

the brain sends messages to the sympathetic nervous system to make changes to prepare the body
for sudden high levels of activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

the opposing actions of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system:

A

GUT
slows digestion (SANS) v increases digestion (PANS)

SALIVARY GLANDS
inhibits saliva production (SANS) v increases saliva production (PANS)

LIVER
stimulates glucose production (SANS) vs
stimulates bile production (PANS)

BLADDER
relaxes the bladder & stimulates urination
(SANS) v inhibits urination (PANS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

You are walking home alone late one night and you hear footsteps behind you. You look around to see who / what it is.
It is someone who is looking quite threatening and they are
picking up pace and getting closer.

What parts of the nervous system help you to do these activities?

A

-sensory nerves via the somatic nervous system send messages to the central nervous system that there is a noise behind you
-the brain identifies the sound as footsteps and via the somatic nervous system sends messages to the muscles and eyes to look around

-sensory nerves via the somatic nervous system send messages to the central nervous system that there is a person behind you
-the brain interprets / perceives that person as a threat

once the perceived threat has gone
-sympathetic nervous system action starts to reduce
-parasympathetic nervous system activity starts to increase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

how does the parasympathetic nervous system control our internal environment?

A

-mundane activity
-most of our energy is directed towards
digestion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

how does the sympathetic nervous system control our internal environment?

A

-most active when we are going to exert
high levels of energy.
-energy, blood flow etc diverted away
from the stomach and digestion and
directed towards the muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

For each of the scenarios in the
table to the right, say whether the
sympathetic or parasympathetic
nervous system is responsible and
what this branch of the nervous
system is doing.

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Sue is so nervous before her driving test that she can’t eat a thing for breakfast.

A

sympathetic → inhibits digestion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Les is not a happy man. He’s just arrived at the pub to find his girlfriend entwined with another man. Breathing heavily, Les decides to confront the pair.

A

sympathetic → causes increased breathing rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Lenny absolutely loves the roller coaster ride. When he gets off, his mum notices how big his pupils look.

A

sympathetic → dilates pupils

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Amadeep is about to get the results of an important blood test. She feels really dry mouthed in the doctor’s surgery.

A

sympathetic → inhibits saliva production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

After the shock of thinking there was an intruder in the house, the police sit Mary down and reassure her; she can hear her pounding heart getting slower.

A

parasympathetic → returns heart rate to normal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

After starring in a play for the local amateur dramatics group, Jerry finds he’s very hungry after the performance.

A

parasympathetic → stimulates digestion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

the difference between the CNS and PNS:

A

CNS
processes and controls information using the brain and the spinal cord

PNS
consists of all nerves outside of the brain and the spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

the difference between the SNS and ANS:

A

SNS
-has motor and sensory neurons and actions
-the SNS controls skeletal muscle, movement etc

**ANS*
-only has motor neurons and
actions
• the ANS controls internal organs and glands of the body

44
Q

the difference between the SANS and PANS:

A

SANS
prepares the body for fight/flight

PANS
restores the body to normal after fight/flight

45
Q

Explain two differences in the organisation and/or function of the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system.
(4 marks)

A

-the SNS has sensory and motor pathways, whereas the ANS is purely motor
-the ANS controls internal organs and glands of the body whereas the SNS
controls skeletal muscle, movement

-ANS has two subsections (SANS and PANS) whereas the SNS has no subdivisions

46
Q

what are the parts of a neuron?

A

cell body, nucleus, dendrites, axon,
myelin sheath, nodes of ranvier,
terminal buttons

47
Q

the function of a nucleus:

A

-the control centre of a cell
-contains the cell’s chromosomal DNA

48
Q

the function of a dendrite:

A

receives nerve impulse/electrical signal from other neurons or sensory receptor cells

49
Q

the function of an axon:

A

-crries the nerve impulse/electrical signal away from the cell body towards the terminal button, where the neuron ends

50
Q

the function of a myelin sheath:

A

insulates the axon so that the electrical impulses travel faster along the axon

51
Q

the function of the nodes or ranvier:

A

these speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to ‘jump’

52
Q

the function of the terminal buttons:

A

connects the neuron to other neurons (or directly to organs), using a process called synaptic transmission

53
Q

what do sensory neurones do?

A

-detect changes in the external and internal environment
-send messages from sense organs (receptors) to the central nervous system

54
Q

where are sensory neurones found?

A

in parts of the body that experience ‘senses’ e.g. skin, tongue, eyes

55
Q

sensory neurone: structure

A

-long dendrites and short axons / the cell body is in the middle
- sometimes have an axon that branches into two extensions
(one connected to dendrites that receive
sensory information)
(another that transmits this information to the spinal cord)

56
Q

where are relay neurones found?

A

-the brain is made up of relay neurons
-they are also found in spinal cord
-they lie between sensory and motor neurons

57
Q

what do sensory neurones do?

A

-allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate
-process, store, analyse and interpret information in order to pass the message on to the correct neuron

58
Q

structure of relay neurones:

A

can have longs or short axons

59
Q

where are motor neurons found?

A

in the central nervous system
(they project their axons out into the peripheral nervous system)

60
Q

what do motor neurons do?

A

-send messages from CNS to effectors (glands and muscles)
-control muscle movements

61
Q

motor neurones & neurotransmitters:

A

when motor neurons are stimulated they
release neurotransmitters that bind to the
receptors on muscles to trigger a response,
which lead to movement

62
Q

motor neuron structure:

A

-multiple dendrites
-have short dendrites and long axons
-have a cell body on one end, an axon in the middle and dendrites on the other end

63
Q

why do some sensory neurons stop at the spinal cord?

A

to allow for quick reflex actions

64
Q

jeremy is digging in the garden. He feels the spade hit a rock and stops digging.
explain how sensory, relay and motor neurons would function
in this situation.

A

sensory neurons send information from the senses to the brain
↳ here, receptors in jeremy’s hand would sense the spade hitting the rock and send that information via the PNS to his CNS

relay neurons connect with other neurons, mostly found in the brain/CNS
↳ here they would be involved in analysis of the sensation from jeremy’s
hand, processing what it means, deciding about how to respond to it (by moving his hand) & acting between the sensory and motor neurons

motor neurons send messages via long axons from the brain to the effectors
↳ here the message from the brain instructs Jeremy’s arm muscles to stop working and stop the digging action

65
Q

what is synaptic transmission?

A

the process of transmitting messages from one neuron to another neuron

66
Q

what is each neuron separated from another by?

A

a tiny gap called the synapse

67
Q

which two types of signals do neurons have?

A

electrical & chemical:
signals within neurons are transmitted electrically, however signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synapse

68
Q

steps of synaptic transmission:

A

1) action potential arrives at neuron

2) synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters move towards the pre-synaptic membrane

3) the vesicles release neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap

4) neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic gap

5) neurotransmitters bind with receptors on the post-synaptic membrane

6) once the receptors have been activated, they either produce excitatory or inhibitory effects on the post-synaptic neuron

7) excess neurotransmitter is absorbed back into the cell (reuptake) or excess neurotransmitter is destroyed by enzymes in the synapse

69
Q

excitatory vs inhibitory response

A

an action potential is triggered / reduced
in the next neuron

70
Q

which two effects can neurotransmitters have?

A

excitatory or inhibitory

71
Q

what do excitatory neurotransmitters do?

A

-increase the positive charge inside the post synaptic neuron
-they make the post-synaptic cell more likely to fire (charge is more likely to cross the threshold)

72
Q

example of how excitatory neurotransmitters work:

A

-an excitatory neurotransmitter binds to the post-synaptic receptors
-it will cause an electrical charge in the cell membrane which results in an excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP)
-this makes the post-synaptic cell more likely to fire

73
Q

examples of excitatory neurotransmitters:

A

-dopamine
-acetylcholine (both)
-noradrenaline (both)

74
Q

what do inhibitory neurotransmitters do?

A

they increase the negative charge inside the neuron & decrease the chances of the threshold being met so action potential is less likely

75
Q

example of how inhibitory neurotransmitters work:

A

-the inhibitory neurotransmitter binds to the post-synaptic receptor
-this results in an inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP)
-this makes the post-synaptic neuron less likely to fire

76
Q

examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters:

A

-GABA
-serotonin

77
Q

what is summation?

A

-at any one time there are several different types of neurotransmitters binding to the post-synaptic membrane (some excitatory, others inhibitory)
-summation refers to the net effect of neurotransmitters on the post synaptic neuron.

78
Q

summarion & results:

A

-if the net effect is excitatory overall, the postsynaptic neuron is likely to fire (trigger an action potential)
-if the net effect is inhibitory, then an action potential is less likely to be triggered in the post synaptic membrane.

79
Q

briefly outline how excitation and inhibition are involved in synaptic transmission

A

-neurotransmitters can be excitatory or inhibitory (most can be both)
-if the neurotransmitter is excitatory then the post synaptic neuron is more likely to fire an impulse.
-if the neurotransmitter is inhibitory then the post synaptic neuron is less likely to fire an impulse

the excitatory and inhibitory influences are summed, if the net effect on the post synaptic neuron is inhibitory, the neuron will be less likely to ‘fire’ and if the net effect is excitatory, the neuron will
be more likely to fire

[SUMMATION MUST BE MENTIONED FOR FULL MARKS]

80
Q

what is the endocrine system in charge of and what is the nervous system in charge of?

A

endocrine -
processes that happen slowly, such as cell
growth

nervous -
faster processes like breathing and body
movement

81
Q

nervous system & endocrine system

A

even though the nervous system
and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly

82
Q

what is the function of the endocrine system?

A

-to secrete the hormones which are required to regulate many bodily functions
-to provide a chemical system of
communication via the blood stream

83
Q

what is the function of the endocrine system?

A

-to secrete the hormones which are required to regulate many bodily functions
-to provide a chemical system of
communication via the blood stream

84
Q

what are the parts of the endocrine system?

A

-hypothalamus
-pituitary gland
-pineal gland
-thyroid gland
-adrenal glands
-ovary
-testes

85
Q

HYPOTHALAMUS
hormone it releases & effect:

A

stimulates and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland

86
Q

PINEAL GLAND
hormone it releases & effect:

A

melatonin
↳ responsible for important biological rhythms (eg: sleep-wake cycle)

87
Q

THYROID GLAND
hormone it releases & effect:

A

thyroxine
↳ Responsible for regulating metabolic reactions

88
Q

ADRENAL GLAND
hormone it releases & effect:

A

adrenal medulla - adrenaline, noradrenaline
↳ the key hormones in the fight or flight response

adrenal cortex - cortisol
↳ stimulates the release of glucose to provide the body with energy, while suppressing the immune system

89
Q

OVARIES
hormone it releases & effect:

A

oestrogen
↳ controls the regulation of the female reproductive system

90
Q

TESTES
hormone it releases & effect:

A

testosterone
responsible for the development of male sex characteristics during puberty, while also promoting muscle growth

91
Q

what happens when we experience a stressful situation?

A

our body reacts with the fight or flight response (a result of both the nervous system and the endocrine system working together)

92
Q

steps of the fight of flight response:

A

1) person enters a stressful situation

2) the amygdala is activated which sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus

3) the hypothalamus activates the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) which connects the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nervous system

4) the SNS stimulates the adrenal medulla, part of the adrenal gland

5) the adrenal medulla secretes the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream

6) adrenaline causes a number of physiological changes to prepare the body for fight or flight

93
Q

physiological changes during the fight or flight response:

A

-increased heart rate
-increased breathing rate
-pupil dilation
-sweat reduction
-reduction of non essential functions (eg: salivation, digestive system)

94
Q

why does heart rate increase during the fight or flight response?

A

to increase blood flow to organs and increase the movement of adrenaline around the body

95
Q

why does breathing rate increase during the fight or flight response?

A

to increase oxygen intake

96
Q

why do pupils dilate during the fight or flight response?

A

to increase light entry into the eye and enhance vision (especially in the dark)

97
Q

why is sweat produced during the fight or flight response?

A

to regulate temperature

98
Q

why are non/essential functions reduced during the fight or flight response?

A

to increase energy for other essential functions

99
Q

what happens after the fight or flight response?

A

-the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PANS) is activated to return the body back to its ‘normal’ resting state
the PANS slows down our heart rate and breathing rate and reduces our blood pressure
-any functions that were previously slowed down are started again (e.g. digestion)

100
Q

outline the fight or flight response.
(4 marks)

A

-the hypothalamus prepares the body for action/emergency response
-it involves the release of adrenaline (from the adrenal gland/medulla)
-it switches from parasympathetic to sympathetic activity
-direct effects of adrenaline (increase heart rate , increases respiration and sweating)

101
Q

outline the role of adrenaline in the fight or
flight response. (4 marks)

A

-adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla in response to activation of the
sympathomedullary pathway

direct effects:
-adrenaline has a range of effects on the body (increase heart rate, constricts blood vessels, increases respiration and sweating)
he general effects of adrenaline

general effects:
–prepare the body for action, fight
–increase blood supply/oxygen, to skeletal muscle for physical action

102
Q

explain how the body responds during fight or flight and why this could be unhelpful in a driving test situation.
(4 marks)

A

-the fight or flight response causes adrenaline to be released which can cause an increased production of sweat and faster heart and breathing rate which could be off putting and unhelpful during a driving test (e.g. sweaty hands may make
it harder to grip the steering wheel)
-the fight or flight response enables a quick reaction to fight the threat or run away from it but neither of these options
would be helpful in a driving test as if you ran away or attacked the instructor you would fail the test

103
Q

criticisms of the fight or flight response:

A

-human behaviour is not limited to just two responses
-the fight or flight explanation doesn’t fully explain the stress response in females
-the fight or flight response can have a
negative effect on health, especially in modern-day life

104
Q

ao3 / criticism - human behaviour is not limited to just two responses

A

P - human behaviour is not limited to just two responses

E - Gray (1988) suggests that the first response to danger is to avoid
confrontation altogether, a ‘freeze’
response
↳ during the freeze response, humans are hyper-vigilant while they appraise the situation to decide the best course of
action for that particular threat

L - this suggests that the fight or flight explanation of behaviour is limited and doesn’t fully explain the complex factors that underpin the human response to stress/danger.

105
Q

ao3 / criticism - the fight or flight explanation doesn’t fully explain the stress response in females

A

P - the fight or flight explanation doesn’t fully explain the stress response in females

E - taylor et al. (2002) suggest that females adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response in
stressful/dangerous situations
↳ according to taylor et al. (2000), women are more likely to protect their offspring (tending) and form alliances with other
women (befriend), rather than fight an adversary or flee
↳ this highlights a beta bias within this area of psychology as psychologists
assumed that females responded in the same way as males

L - therefore, the original fight or flight explanation was limited in its application to females, this has prompted more recent research which has provided an alternate explanation which is applicable to females

106
Q

ao3 / criticism - the fight or flight response can have a negative effect on health, especially in modern-day life

A

P - the fight or flight response can have a negative effect on health, especially in modern-day life

E - while the fight or flight response may have been a useful survival mechanism for our ancestors who faced life-threatening situations (e.g. from predators), modern-day life rarely requires such an intense biological response
↳ his matters because the activation of the fight or flight response can increase blood pressure, cause damage blood vessels and
contribute to heart disease

L - this suggests that the fight or flight response is a maladaptive response in modern-day life

PSYCHOLOGY (paper 2) (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions