Biopsychology

Question 1

The nervous system

Answer 1

A specialised network of cells in the body

Question 2

Main functions of the nervous system

Answer 2

• Collect, process and respond to information in the environment
• Coordinate different organs in the body

Question 3

What’s the nervous system divided into

Answer 3

• Central nervous system
• Peripheral nervous system

Question 4

Function of CNS

Answer 4

• Controls behaviour
• Regulates the body’s physiological processes
• Made up of the brain and spinal cord

Question 5

Functions of brain and spinal cord

Answer 5

• Brain- centre of all conscious awareness & 2% of body weight
• Spinal cord- extension of the brain, responsible for reflex actions

Question 6

Functions of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 6

• transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the CNS
• Divided into Somatic & Autonomic

Question 6

Function of Somatic NS

Answer 6

• Controls muscle movements and receives info from sensory receptors
• Transmits info from receptor cells
• Receives info from CNS that directs muscles to act

Question 7

Function of Autonomic NS

Answer 7

• Vital functions: heart & breathing rate, digestion, sexual arousal
• Transmits info to & from bodily organs
• Operates involuntary (automatic)

Question 8

Main divisions of the Autonomic NS

Answer 8

• Sympathetic NS - fight or flight response
• Parasympathetic NS - rest & digest response

Question 9

The endocrine system

Answer 9

• The main chemical messengers system of body.
• Where hormones are secreted into the bloodstream from glands and then transported towards target cells in the blood with complementary receptors.

Question 10

Glands and hormones

Answer 10

• Pituitary gland ‘master gland’- controls the release of hormones from all other glands.
• Thyroid - produces thyroxine, increases heart rate and rate of growth
• Adrenal gland- produces adrenaline , creates physiological arousal (fight or flight)

Question 11

Describe the flight or flight response

Answer 11

• The body senses a stressor in environment
• Info is sent to the hypothalamus in the brain which triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of ANS
• The adrenal medulla release adrenaline into bloodstream and is transported to target effectors.
• Which creates a physiological response needed to sustain the flight or fight response