Biopsychology Flashcards
what two parts is the nervous system divided into
CNS - central nervous system
PNS - peripheral nervous system
What is the Central Nervous System (CNS) made up of?
The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
what is the brain responsible for
- most complex part of the body,
responsible for higher-level mental functions, (thinking/sensation/behaviour.)
what is the spinal cord responsible for
responsible for sending info to + from the brain and for reflex actions.
What parts does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) include?
The PNS includes parts of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.
What is the function of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
The PNS sends information to and from the CNS.
What are the subcomponents of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and the Somatic Nervous System (SNS).
What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) responsible for?
our internal organs (operates unconsciously.)
What is the Somatic Nervous System (SNS) responsible for?
A: The SNS is responsible for our muscle movements and receives signals from the CNS.
our muscle movements and receives signals from the CNS.
what is the role of the frontal lobe
decision making, rational thinking
what is the role of the temporal lobe
processing auditory info
what is the role of the parietal lobe
processes sensory info
what is the role of the occipital lobe
processes visual info
what is the role of the cerebellum
governs movement and balance
what is the acronym for the different lobes of the brain
T una - temporal
F ish - frontal
P refer - parietal
O ranges - occipital
what are the main areas the brain is divided into
Limbic system, cerebellum, brain stem, cortex, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, and thyroid gland.
what is the function of the limbic system
The limbic system controls basic emotions (fear, sex, anger) and drives (hunger, sex, etc.).
what is the role of the brain stem
connects brain to spinal cord
What is the cortex and how is it divided?
The cortex is divided into 4 lobes, each with specific functions.
what is the function of the pituitary gland
-the ‘master gland’
-controls the release of hormones from all other glands in the body.
- controlled by the hypothalamus.
what does the adrenal gland do
releases adrenaline into the bloodstream
- important for the physiological changes involved in the fight or flight response.
what hormone does the thyroid gland produce
thyroxine
why is flight/fight research typically conducted using male ppts
Fight/flight research is conducted using only male participants because it is believed that female hormones disrupt the response.
What is the purpose of neurons?
receive + send info around body by sending signals electrically + chemically, enabling communication within the nervous system
What are sensory neurons and where are they found?
found in receptors like the skin, eyes, ears, and tongue.
connect the PNS to the CNS.
What are relay neurons and where are they found?
found in the brain and spinal cord.
connect other neurons together
What are motor neurons and where are they found?
found in the CNS
connect the CNS to other organs, glands, and muscles.
What is the function of dendrites?
receive impulses from neighbouring neurons and carry the signal towards the cell body.
What does the axon do?
carries the signal away from the cell body down the neuron.
What is contained in the cell body of a neuron?
contains the nucleus and the genetic material of the cell.
What is the role of the axon terminal?
where a signal has to cross a synapse to the next neuron.
What is the myelin sheath and its function?
a fatty layer that surrounds the axon and speeds up the transmission of the signal.
What are the Nodes of Ranvier and their function?
gaps between myelin sheath that speed up transmission by allowing the signal to ‘jump’ across gaps on the axon.
what is the acronym for the parts of a neuron
D ancing - dendrites
C ats - cell body
A lways - axon terminal
Act - axon
M ore - myelin sheath
N imble - nodes of ranvier
what is synaptic transmission
neurons (nerve cells) Communicate to each other.
neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) are passed from one neuron To another across the synapse.
what is dopamine
neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation.
What functions can neurotransmitters perform?
Neurotransmitters can either perform an excitatory or inhibitory function
What are excitatory neurotransmitters?
increase positive charge of postsynaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood that it will fire and pass on the electrical impulse
what are inhibitory neurotransmitters
increase negative charge of postsynaptic neuron, decreasing likelihood that it will fire and pass on the electrical impulse.
What is summation ?
the process where charges from each neurotransmitter that have bound to receptor sites in the postsynaptic neuron are added together.
When is the action potential of the postsynaptic neuron triggered?
if sum of excitatory and inhibitory signals reaches the threshold causing neuron to fire the impulse.
What are the physical symptoms of the fight or flight response?
Dilation of pupils, fast breathing, heart pounding, and tense muscles.
What role does the amygdala play in the fight or flight response?
The amygdala reacts to the threat.
What does the hypothalamus do during the fight or flight response?
activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers the release of adrenaline.
What hormone does the adrenal cortex release during the fight or flight response, and what is its function?
The adrenal cortex releases cortisol for continued alertness.
What is beta bias in the context of stress responses?
Beta bias is the tendency to underestimate the differences between males and females.
What is the ‘tend and befriend’ response proposed by Taylor et al. (2000)?
suggests females respond to stress by protecting themselves + offspring (tending) and forming alliances with other women (befriending).
Why might females have evolved a different response to stress than males?
they are primary caregivers - fleeing from danger may put offspring at a higher risk
What physiological response is associated with the ‘tend and befriend’ behavior?
the release of oxytocin.
