Biopsychology

Question 1

What is the nervous system?

Answer 1

A specialised network of cells that uses neurones and neurotransmitters to transport and receive messages around the body.

Question 2

What are the two functions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

1. To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
2. To co-ordinate the working of the different organs and cells in the body.

Additional information: The nervous system plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis.

Question 3

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 3

1. Central nervous system= brain and spinal chord
2. Peripheral nervous system.

Question 4

What does the central nervous system consist of?

Answer 4

It is made up of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 5

What are the functions of the brain?

Answer 5

1. Receive information from sensory receptors and sends messages to muscles and glands.
2. Has conscious awareness and involved in all psychological processes.
3. Contains 4 main regions (Occipital, Temporal Lobe, Frontal Lobe, Parietal).
4. Brain stem controls involuntary processes like breathing and blinking.

The brain is the control center of the nervous system.

Question 6

What is the role of the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 6

To relay nerve impulses from the CNS around the body and back to the CNS.
The peripheral nervous system includes the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Question 7

What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 7

1. Somatic nervous system = controls conscious movements of muscles.
2. Autonomic nervous system. = controls unconscious movements of muscles.

Question 8

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 8

Controls unconscious organ response (breathing, digestion, heartbeat) that work efficiently when they’re not thought about.

The autonomic nervous system includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Question 9

What is the sympathetic nervous system primarily involved in?

Answer 9

Responses that help us deal with emergencies (fight or flight)- increased heart rate or breathing rate. Neurons from the SNS travel to every organ and gland in the body.

Question 10

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 10

It slows the body down and is often called ‘rest and digest’. It relaxes and calms the body.
The parasympathetic nervous system helps the body conserve energy- by reducing the amount of adrenaline produced

Question 11

What is fight or flight?

Answer 11

The endocrine system works during stressful situations to control our nerves, neurotransmitters, and hormones. This creates a physiological response in the body.

Example sentence: Fight or flight is a survival mechanism that allows humans and animals to react quickly to life threatening situations.

Question 12

What are some symptoms of fight or flight responses?

Answer 12

• You begin to feel scared / butterflies
• Increases heart rate
• Increased breathing
• Dilated pupils
• Digestion stops
• Salivation stops
• Muscles contract

These are all effects of the fight or flight response.

Question 13

What is the SAM system (Acute short term stressors process) process?

Answer 13

When faced with a stressor, the amygdala recognizes the threat and sends a signal to the hypothalamus which functions as a command center for the brain.

Sympathetic nervous system is activated, adrenal glads release adrenaline into the blood stream- causing increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Adrenaline also triggers the release of glucose into the bloodstream to increase energy.

Then when stressor has passed parasympathetic nervous system takes over and reduces heart rate ands stress levels

Question 14

What is the HPA axis (Long term stress (chronic stressors) process?

Answer 14

Hypothalamus releases Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) into the bloodstream.

Pituitary gland receives the CRH and produces adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).

Adrenal glands receive the ACTH and the adrenal cortex produces cortisol which allows us to have quick bursts of energy and a lowered pain threshold.

The hypothalamus and amygdala monitor the levels of cortisol in the bloodstream. If it is too high, they reduce the level of CRH and ACTH in order to bring it back down to normal.

Question 15

What does ACTH stand for

Answer 15

ACTH stands for adrenocorticotrophic hormone- that is released from the pituitary glands as they receive CRH

Question 16

What does CRH stand for?

Answer 16

CRH is corticotrophin releasing hormone which is released from the hypothalamus when altered of a threat/ stressor

Question 17

What is the name of the part of the brain (beginning with an A) that sends signal for response to the hypothalamus in scenario is of stress

Answer 17

The Amygdala

Question 18

What’s are some weaknesses of the fight and flight response

Answer 18

Taylor et al. 2000=
-Women- tend and befriend
- tend and nurture young and befriend others for protection
- whereas men only protect themselves

Von Dawen’s=
-Stress can lead to greater cooperation rather than a fight or flight response.
-For example in natural disasters, emergencies, job roles- 9/11
- due to the fact humans are social animals

Lee et al. =
SYR gene on the male Y chromosome directs male development and promotes aggression—> prepare them to ‘fight’
- absences of Y chromosome and oxytocin and oestrogen in women may prevent this.

Question 19

What is the endocrine system composed of?

Answer 19

A network of glands =
The endocrine system is made up of a network of glands which are a group of cells that are specialised to produce and secrete hormones.

Question 20

What do glands produce in the endocrine system?

Answer 20

Different hormones =
Each gland produces different hormones which regulate the activity of organs and tissues in the body.

Question 21

How is the endocrine system regulated?

Answer 21

By feedback =
Endocrine system is regulated by feedback e.g. hypothalamus will signal to pituitary gland that a certain hormone needs to be released which the gland will release in the blood stream —> the hormone will signal the target gland to release its hormone which will lead to a change

Question 22

Where do neurotransmitters belong?

Answer 22

Neurotransmitters belong to the nervous system.

Question 23

Where do hormones belong?

Answer 23

Hormones belong to the endocrine system.

Question 24

How is the transmission of neurotransmitters?

Answer 24

Transmission of neurotransmitters is across the synaptic cleft.

Question 25

How is the transmission of hormones?

Answer 25

Transmission of hormones is by blood.

Question 26

Where are hormones produced?

Answer 26

Hormones are produced by endocrine glands.

Question 27

Where are neurotransmitters produced?

Answer 27

Neurotransmitters are produced by neurons.

Question 28

What are the adrenal glands

Answer 28

Two glands that sit above the kidney. The out part of the gland is called the adrenal cortex and the in near region is called the adrenal medulla.

Question 29

What do the adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex produce?

Answer 29

Adrenal cortex= produces cortisol which regulates or supports bodily functions such as cardiovascular or anti- inflammatory.

Adrenal medulla= produces adrenaline and noradrenaline which prepare the body fore fight or flight responses.

Question 30

What do adrenaline and noradrenaline do for the body in a fight or flight response

Answer 30

Adrenaline- helps body respond to stressful situations e.g. increased heart rate or blood flow.

Noradrenaline- constricts blood vessels causing blood pressure to increase