Biopsychology Flashcards
Define endocrine system
One of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the blood stream. These hormones are carried towards target organs in the body
Define gland
An organ in the body that syntheses (makes) substances such as hormones
Define hormone
Chemical substances that circulate in the blood stream and only affect target organs
Define adrenaline
Hormone produced by adrenal gland which is part of the body’s immediate stress response system
Define fight or flight response
The way an anima responds when stressed. The body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight or in some cases flee
Define nervous system
Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
Define central nervous system
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions. It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS
Define peripheral nervous system
Sends information to the CNS from the outside world and transmits message from the CNS to muscles and glands. Divided into the ANS and SNS
Define somatic nervous system
Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that direct muscles to contract. Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
Define autonomic nervous system
Transmits information to and from the internal bodily organs. It is ‘autonomic’ as the system is operated involuntarily. Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Governs vital functions of the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
Define brain
The centre of all conscious awareness. The cerebral cortex is highly developed in humans and is what distinguished out higher mental functions from those of animals. It is divided into two hemispheres
Define spinal cord
An extension of the brain. It is responsible for telex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate
Define parasympathetic nervous system
A division of the ANS which controls the relaxed state (test and digest), conserving resources and promoting digestion and metabolism
Define sympathetic nervous system
A division of the ANS which activates internal organs for vigorous activities and emergencies, such as the fight or flight response. Increases heart rate or breathing and decreases digestion
Define neurone
The basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurones are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
Define sensory neurons
These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons
Define relay neurone
These connect the sensory neurones to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons
Define motor neurone
These connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons
Define cell body
This is known as the factory of the neurone. It contains the nucleus and produces all of the necessary proteins that a neurone requires to function
Define nucleus
This contains the genetic material within a neurone
Define dendrites
These branch-like features protrude from the cell body. They carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurones towards the cell body
Define axon
This carries the electrical impulse from the cell body, down the length of the neurone. It is covered in myelin sheath
Define myelin sheath
This is a fatty layer, which surrounds and protects the axon. It helps to speed up the electrical transmission of the impulses
Define Nodes of Ranvier
These are the gaps between the myelin sheaths. Their purpose is to speed up the transmission of the impulse, by forcing it to ‘jump’ across gaps along the axon
