Biopsychology Flashcards
Functions of the central Nervous System (CNS)
Function 1: to control behaviour.
Function 2: to regulate the body’s physiological processes.
What does the central Nervous System (CNS) consist of
Two parts: brain & spinal cord
What are the parts of the brain
Made up of 4 main parts:
1) The Cerebrum
2) The Cerebellum
3 The Diencephalon
4 The Brain stem
What is the cerebrum
This is divided into four parts called lobes. Each lobe has a different function for example speech and processing visual images.
What is the cerebellum
.
Controls motor skills and balance
What is the diencephalon
Acts as a relay station for nervous impulses directing them to the appropriate part of the brain.
What is the brain stem
Regulates autonomic functions e.g. heartbeat and breathing.
What is the Function of the spinal cord
- Relays information between the brain and the rest of the body.
- Allows the brain to monitor processes such as breathing.
- Contains some nerve cell circuits for reflexes such as blinking.
How is the spinal cord connected to the body
Connected to the body by spinal nerves
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- All nerves outside of the CNS (brain and spinal) make up the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What parts make up the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Two divisions: Somatic Nervous System & Autonomic Nervous System
The Somatic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system associated with skeletal muscle voluntary control of body movements.
The Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system is a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions such as the heart rate, digestion and uration
What are the parts of the autonomic nervous system
- Sympathetic Nervous System
-Para-sympathetic Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System (part of ANS)
Generally increases ↑ bodily activities
Para-sympathetic Nervous System (part of ANS)
Generally maintains or decreases ↓ bodily activities
Neurons
Essential part of a massive communication system within the body
Sensory Neuron
Tells the rest of the brain about the external and internal environment by processing information taken from one of the five senses
Relay Neuron
Carries messages from one part of the CNS to another. They connect motor and sensory neurons
Motor Neuron
Carries signals from the CNS which helps both organs, including glands and muscles, function
Synapse
A ‘gap’ between neurons through which the electrical impulse from the neuron to neuron
What is Synaptic Transmission
Process for transmitting messages from neuron to neuron
Steps for synaptic transmission
1) chemical impulse travels down neuron
2) neurotransmitters are released at the presynaptic terminal
3) the adjacent neuron takes up the neurotransmitter from the fluid and converts it into an electrical impulse
4) travels down the neuron to the next presynaptic terminal
5) Certain neurotransmitters allow a flood of ions that can cause a ‘potential’ in the dendrites. They can be excitatory or inhibitory
Excitatory Potentials
Increase the chance of a neuron firing
Inhibitory Potentials
Decrease the chance of a neuron firing
Endocrine System
Has a series of glands which release chemicals called hormones throughout the body via the blood and other bodily fluids
- there are specialist glands in the body which form a part of this system
Pituitary
Function: → releases hormones important for regulating the endocrine system
Adrenal
Function: important part of fight or flight system as it regulates the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline
Testes
Function: facilitate the release of testosterone which we believe influences aggressive behavior in males
Ovaries
Function:
facilitate the release of oestrogen and progesterone important in childbirth and pregnancy
Flight or Fight Response
The fight-or-flight helps an individual to react quicker than normal and facilitates optimal functioning so that they can fight the threat or run away from it.
Fight or Flight 4 steps
- Hypothalamus recognizes there’s a threat
- Sends a message to Adrenal gland
- Triggers the release of Adrenaline to the endocrine system and noradrenaline in the brain
- Prompts physical changes…
Physical changes:fight or flight
↑ heart rate = speed up blood flow to vital organs
faster breathing rate = increase oxygen intake;
Eval: Weaknesses
✘ difficult to establish cause and effect.
E.g. we can say that there’s a relationship between increased oxytocin and relationship intensity but not that it causes it. Other factors may have an effect.
✘ many argue biological bases of behaviour are determinist.
They suggest that we have little control over our biological drives when in fact humans have “free will” and can overcome them
✘ the argument that biological factors underpin behaviour is reductionist.
Many argue that this is too simplistic and ignores environmental influences on behaviour.
Eval: Strengths
✔ the physical nature of bodily systems means they can be studied scientifically.
This means that we can be certain of the biological facts
✔ this area can use scientific measures to investigate, results are reliable.
They can be checked for accuracy and this makes it more scientific.
