Biopsychology Flashcards
What are the nervous system’s two main functions?
Collect, process & respond to info in environment
Co-ordinate working of different organs & cells in body
What is in the peripheral nervous system?
Somatic Nervous System & Autonomic Nervous System
What does the Somatic Nervous System do?
Control sensory & motor nerves (voluntary)
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Involves sense organs
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Sensory input & motor neuron
What does the Autonomic Nervous System do?
Controls sympathetic arousal (involuntary) & Parasympathetic arousal (involuntary)
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Involves organs & glands
What is the main gland used in the release of hormones?
Pituitary Gland - located in brain - controls release of hormones from all other endocrine glands
Produces ACTH
What is a stressor and the certain types?
Something from environment that triggers stress response
Short term/acute stressors
Long term/chronic stressors
What are the characteristics of short term/acute stressors?
Caused by attack from mugger, near death experience etc.
Increase in heart rate
Breathing quicker
Tensed muscles
Liver releases glucose for energy
What are the characteristics of long term/chronic stressors?
Caused by exams, work stress, moving house, etc.
Coronary heart disease
High blood pressure
Stomach problems
Diabetes
Cancer
What is the fight/flight response?
Acute reactions to stressful situations
Evolved as survival mechanism, enabling us to react quickly to life-threatening situations
How does the fight/flight response work?
Hypothalamus
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Sympathomedullary Pathway triggers autonomic nervous system
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ANS stimulates adrenal medulla to release adrenaline in response to acute sudden stressors
H-ANS-AM
Hypothalamic Pituitary-Adrenal System
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Triggers endocrine system if brain continues to perceive something as threatening
H-P-AC
How are impulses transmitted?
Between neurons at synapses
What are the three types of neurons?
Sensory
Relay
Motor
What is the function of sensory neurons?
Convey info about sensory stimuli such as vision, taste, etc. from PNS towards CNS ending eventually in Brain
LONG DENDRITES SHORT AXONS
What is the function of relay neurons?
Connect sensory to motor neurons or other relay neurons
SHORT DENDRITES SHORT AXONS
What is the function of motor neurons?
Convey instructions for physical operations
They connect CNS to muscles & glands to allow range of operations
SHORT DENDRITES LONG AXONS
