biopsychology

Question 1

biopsychology: nervous system

divisions of the nervous system

Answer 1

CNS
brain, spinal chord
PNS
somatic nervous system(voluntary)
autonomic nervous system(involuntary)
sympathetic (arousing)
parasympathetic (relaxing)

Question 2

biopsychology:

structure of a neuron

Answer 2

the cell body contains the nucleus (chromosomes). the dendrites extend from the cell body and carry electrical impulses from other neurons towards the cell body. the axon carries the impulses away frm the cell body and is covered by a fatty layer of myelin sheath which increases the speed of transmission. there are breaks in the myelin sheath called ranviers node which forces impulses to jump across the gaps and speeds up the transmission.

Question 3

biopsychology:

types of a neuron

theres 3

Answer 3

sensory: carry signals from receptors to the CNS, long dendrites short axons

relay: connect sensory neurons to motor neurons or other relay neurons, short dendrites and axons

motor: carry signals from the CNS to the effectors, short dendrites long axons

Question 4

biopsychology: neurons

neurons: synaptic transmission

Answer 4

neurons dont make direct contact, the small gaps between them are called synapses. the signal must cross this gap to continue journey using neurotransmitters which diffuse across the gap between the two neurons

Question 5

biopsychology: neurons

synaptic transmission steps

theres 5 xx

Answer 5

1. electrical impulse (action potential) travels along axon of the transmitting neuron to dendrites
2. triggers the nerve-ending of pre-synaptic neuron to release neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles
3. chemicals diffuse across the synapse and bind with receptor sites on member of post-synaptic neuron
4. stimulates the post-synaptic neuron to transmit the electrical impulse
5. reuptake some of the neurotransmitter is reabsorbed back into the pre-synaptic neuron or broken down by enzymes

Question 6

biopsychology: endorine system

glands and hormones

Answer 6

glands produce hormones which are released in blood stream to control vital bodily functions

pituitary gland controls release of hormones from all other endocrine glands. hormones work more slowly than nerve impulses but usually work together with nervous system

Question 7

biopsychology: endocrine system

functions of glands and hormones

Answer 7

• pituitary gland - master gland that controls other glands, releases ACTH during stress responses and oxytoin during childbirth
• hypathalamus - stimulates and activates the pituitary gland
• pineal gland - releases melatonin to control bio-rhythms such as sleep-wake cycle
• thyroid gland - releases thyroxine to control metabolism
• adrenal gland - adrenal medulla releases adrenaline/noradrenaline in fight or flight. adrenal cortex releases cortisol in chronic stress response
• ovaries - regulates menstrual cycle and pregnancy by releasing oestrogen
• testes - produces testosterone for male sex characteristics and muscle growth

Question 8

biopsychology:

fight or flight

7 steps xx

Answer 8

1. a stressor is perceived in the environment
2. amygdala sends a stress signal to the hypatahalamus
3. hypathalamus activates pituitary gland triggering the sympathetic nervous system
4. SNS activates adrenal medulla
5. adrenal medulla releases adrenaline/noradrenaline
6. this release prepares the body for fight or flight
7. mintues later parasympathetic branch activates and brings body back to normal

Question 9

biopsychology:

role of adrenaline

theres 6 xx

Answer 9

• increases heart rate
• increases breathing rate
• dilates pupils
• inhibits digestion
• inhibits saliva production
• increased sweat

Question 10

biopsychology: localisation of function