Biopsychology Flashcards
What are the 2 main functions of the nervous system?
- To collect, process and respond to info in the environment
- To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells
Describe the structure of the human nervous system
Branches off to: Peripheral nervous system and Central nervous system
Peripheral: somatic and autonomic, autonomic branches to sympathetic and parasympathetic.
Central: Brain and Spinal cord
Explain what the peripheral nervous system does
Sends info to CNS from environment, and transmits messages from CNS to muscles and glands.
Is the somatic NS involuntary or voluntary?
Voluntary- muscle movements
Is the autonomic NS involuntary or voluntary?
Involuntary- automatic responses e.g breathing
What do the sympathetic and parasympathetic NS do in the autonomic NS?
Sympathetic- body is ready to react, fight or flight
Parasympathetic- relaxes body and clams it down
What is the role of the brain in the Central NS?
Centre of all conscious awareness
What is the role of the Spinal cord in the Central NS?
Passes messages to and from brain and connects nerves to the PNS.
What is the Endocrine system?
Works alongside the nervous system to control functions in the body. Glands release hormones, secreted into the blood and effects cells with these specific receptors.
What is the Pituitary Gland?
Controls the release of all other hormones from other glands.
Name the structures of a neuron from the left to right
-Dendrites
-Soma
-Nucleus
-Axon
-Myelin sheath
-Nodes of ranvier
-Terminal buttons
Describe the process of the fight or flight response
- When a stressor in the environment is percieved, the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland and triggers the sympathetic NS.
- The autonomic NS changes from resting state (parasympathetic) to physiologically aroused sympathetic state.
- The stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream.
- Adrenaline triggers physiological changes, ready for fight or flight.
- This happens in an instant, an acute response and an automatic reaction. Stress, panic and anxiety are felt= sympathetic response.
- Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic NS returns the body to its resting state.
Parasympathetic and sympathetic NS work in opposition, what is this called?
Antagonistic
What are some biological changes in the sympathetic response?
-Increased heart rate
-Increased breathing rate
-Dilates pupils
-Inhibits digestion
What are some biological changes in the parasympathetic NS response?
-Decreased heart rate
-Decreased breathing rate
-Constricts pupils
-Stimulates digestion
What is a sensory neuron?
Carry messages from the PNS to the CNS.
-Long dendrites
-Short axons
What is a Relay neuron?
Connect sensory and motor neurons or other relay neurons.
-Short dendrites
-Short axons
What is a motor neuron?
Connects CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands.
-Short dendrites
-Long axons
Explain the role on the Central nervous system
Consists of brain and spinal cord, origin of all complex commands and decisions.
Explain the role of the somatic NS
Transmits info from receptor cells in sense organs to CNS, and from CNS to muscles.
Explain the role of the Autonomic NS
Transmits info from internal body organs.
The brain is divided into…
2 hemispheres
What is a neuron?
Nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals.
What is the function of the soma?
Cell body or nucleus that contains genetic material