BIOPSYCHOLOGY

Question 1

Neuron types and function

Answer 1

Sensory - carries messages from the PNS to the brain and spinal cord

Motor - carries messages from the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands

Relay - transfers messages from the sensory neurons to other interconnecting neurons or motor neurons

Question 2

Neuron types - length of fibres

Answer 2

Sensory - long dendrites and short axons
Motor - short dendrites and long axons
Relay - short dendrites and short or long axons

Question 3

Neurotransmitters

Answer 3

They are chemicals that are released from a synaptic vesicle into the synapse by the neurons
They affect the transfer of an impulse to another nerve or muscle
They can be broken down by enzyme

Question 4

Excitation + Inhibitation

Question 5

Action potential

Answer 5

An action potential occurs when a neuron sends information down an axon, away from the cell body
The action potential is an explosion of electrical activity - this means that some events cause the resting potential to move forward

Question 6

The nervous system

Answer 6

Specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system
2 main function:
- To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
- to co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells

Question 7

The central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 7

The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord
The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. The brains outer layer, the cerebral cortex, is highly developed in humans
Brain is divided into 2 hemispheres

Spinal cord is an extension of the brain
Responsible for reflex actions

Question 8

The peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 8

The PNS transmits messages via millions of neurons (nerve cells) to and from the CNS
The PNS is further sub divided into:
- the somantic nervous system (SNS)
- the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Question 9

Fight or flight response

Answer 9

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) controls what’s been called fight of flight
This is because of its controls over the necessary bodily changes needed when we are faced with a situation where we might need to defend ourselves

Question 10

The endocrine system

Answer 10

The endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly (cell growth)
Nervous system and endocrine system are separate however they often work together to help the body function correctly