Biopsychology Flashcards
endocrine system, circadian, infradian and ultradian rhythms, engodenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers
What is the Endocrine system?
The endocrine system is made up of all the body’s hormones and regulates all biological processes in the body throughout life, e.g. the development of the brain and nervous system, the growth and function of the reproductive system the metabolism and blood sugar .
What are glands?
Glands produce and release different hormones that target specific things in the body. You have glands all over your body, including in your neck, brain and reproductive organs.
What are hormones?
A hormone is a signalling molecule in multicellular organisms that are sent to distant organs to regulate physiology and behaviour. Hormones are required for correct development of animals.
What is the pituitary gland?
It is a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain that produces a number of hormones that controls the function of most of the other endocrine glands (master gland). Each of these hormones affects a specific part of the body (a target organ or tissue) e.g. ACTH stimulating adrenal gland and Endorphines stimulating brain and immune system.
What is the adrenal gland?
Adrenal glands are small glands located on top of both kidneys. They produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions. E.g. adrenaline that stimulates physiological arousal.
What hormones do the pituitary gland produce (2)?
FSH, Oxytocin
What hormones do the adrenal gland produce (2)?
Cortison, adrenaline
What are biological rhythms?
Distinct patterns of change in body activity that conform to cyclical time periods. They are influenced by endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers.
What are circadian rhythms?
Biological rhythms, subject to a 24-hour cycle, which regulates a number of bodily processes. E.g. the sleep/wake cycle and changes in core body temperature.
What are ultradian rhythms?
A type of biological rhythm with a frequency of more than one cycle in 24 hours.
What are infradian rhythms?
A type of biological rhythm with a frequency of less than one cycle in 24 hours e.g. menstruation.
What are endogenous pacemakers?
Internal body clocks that regulate many of our biological rhythms e.g. superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN) on the sleep/ wake cycle.
What are exogenous zeitgebers?
External factors that affect or entrain our biological rhythms e.g. light on the sleep/wake cycle.
What is brain plasticity?
The brain has the ability to change.
For example, during infancy the brain has a rapid growth in synaptic connections, peaking at around 15,000 per neuron.
What is synaptic pruning
As we age rarely used synaptic connections are deleted, and frequently used synaptic connections are strengthened.
