BIOPSYCHOLOGY Flashcards
what is a nervous system
network of cells which acts as primary communication and is based on electrical and chemical signals
whats the role of the central nervous system
the CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord. the CNS controls behaviour by regulating the bodies physiological processes
what does the brain do?
the brain is the centre of conscious awareness and receives info from the sensory receptors
the ……… is highly developed and gives us higher mental functions than animals
cerebral cortex
whats the spinal cord
responsible for reflex actions. it passes messages from the brain and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system
what does the peripheral nervous system do
transmits messages from the environment to the central nervous system via millions of neurones
what does the somatic nervous system do
controls voluntary muscle movement and receives info from the sensory receptors eg: speaking
what does the autonomic nervous system do
controls involuntary, unconscious movement of the body eg: blinking, this is controlled by the hypothalamus
what does the sympathetic nervous system
fight or flight response, helps the body prepare for dangerous situations
name 3 things the sympathetic nervous system increases
heart rate
sweat
breathing
name 3 things the sympathetic nervous system decreases
digestion
urination
salivation
what does the parasympathetic nervous system do
rest and digest response, relaxes the body and returns us to our normal state
what are neurones
transmits signals electrically and chemically to provide the nervous system with the means to communicate
role of synapses
send electrical impulses to neighbouring neurones
role of myelin sheath
cover axon and acts as insulation to help keep electrical signals inside cell and allows them to move quicker
role of axon
transfers electrical impulse signals from the cell body to synapse
what does the soma do
the cell body, this contains most of the cells organelles
what does the nucleus do
contains the cells DNA
