Biopsychology Flashcards
What are the nervous systems two main functions ?
- to collect, process and respond to information in the environment
- to co-ordinate different organs and cells in the body
What are the two subsystems of the nervous system ?
- Central nervous system
- Peripheral nervous system
What is the central nervous system made up of ?
it is made up of the brain and the spinal cord
What is the function of the spinal cord in the central nervous system ?
it passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS. It is also responsible for reflex actions.
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system ?
it transmits messages through neurones to and from the CNS
What is the peripheral nervous system subdivided into ?
- Autonomic nervous system
- Somatic nervous system
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system ?
controls important functions in the body such as respiration
What is the function of the somatic nervous system ?
controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
What is the function of a dendrite ?
they carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body
What is the function of an axon ?
carries impulse away from cell body along the length of a neuron
What is the function of the myelin sheath ?
fatty layers that protects the axon and speeds up electrical transmission of impulse
What is the function of the nodes of Ranvier ?
these are gaps in the myelin sheath that force the impulse to jump across which increases the speed of transmission
What is the function of terminal buttons ?
these are found at the end of the axon and communicate with the next neuron across a synapse
What is the function of Schwann cells ?
involved in forming the myelin sheath
What are the 3 different types of neurons ?
- Sensory neuron
- Relay neuron
- motor neuron
Where is the sensory neuron located ?
it is located in the PNS in clusters known as ganglia
What is the function of the sensory neuron ?
carries message from PNS to CNS
Where is the relay neurone located ?
in the brain and the visual system
Where is the motor neurone located ?
In the CNS but also in the PNS due to the motor neurone having a long axon
What is the function of the motor neurone ?
transmits information to muscles
What is the function of the relay neurone ?
allows sensory neurone and motor neurone to communicate
What are the 3 stages of electrical transmission ?
- Resting state
- Activated by stimulus
- Action potential produced