biopsychology Flashcards
1
Q
what are the 3 types of neuron? (biopsychology)
A
- motor neuron
- sensory neuron
- relay neuron
2
Q
what is a motor neuron? (biopsychology)
A
- connect the CNA to effectors like muscles & glands
- they have short dendrites & long axons
3
Q
what are sensory neurons? (biopsychology)
A
- carry messages from the PNS to the CNS
- have long dendrites & short axons
4
Q
what are relay neurons? (biopsychology)
A
- connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons
- have short dendrites & short axons
5
Q
what 5 structures do neurons have? (biopsychology)
A
- cell body
- dendrites
- axon
- nodes of raniver
- terminal buttons
6
Q
what is the cell body of a neuron? (biopsychology)
A
- includes a nucleus which holds the genetic material of the cell
7
Q
what are dendrites in neurons? (biopsychology)
A
- branch-like structures that carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards body cells
8
Q
what are axons in neurons? (biopsychology)
A
- carries impulses away from the cell body
- covered in a fatty later of myelin sheath that protects the axon & speeds up electrical transmission
9
Q
what are the nodes of raniver in neurons? (biopsychology)
A
- gaps in the myelin sheath that forces messages to ‘jump’ so that they move faster
- speeds up the transmission of impulses
10
Q
what are the terminal buttons of neurons? (biopsychology)
A
- at the end of the axons
- communicate with the next neuron across a synapse
11
Q
where are motor neurons found? (biopsychology)
A
- cell bodies may be in the CNS
- also have long axons that form part of the PNS
12
Q
where are sensory neurons found? (biopsychology)
A
- located outside the CNS
- in the PNS in clusters known as ganglia
13
Q
where are relay neurons found? (biopsychology)
A
- make up 97% of all neurons
- most are found within the brain & the visual system
14
Q
summarise the process of electrical transmission (biopsychology)
A
- when a neuron is in its resting state, the inside of the cell is positively charged
- when it is activated, the inside becomes positively charged for a split second, causing action potential
15
Q
summarise the process of chemical transmission (biopsychology)
A
- neurons connect with each other within groups known as neural networks
- neurons are separated by synapses
- a synapse incudes the synaptic cleft, the presynaptic terminal & the postsynaptic receptor site
- signals between neurons are transmitted chemically by synaptic transmission
- when electrical impulses within the neuron get to the presynaptic terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles
16
Q
how do neurotransmitters travel through neurons? (biopsychology)
A
- once it crosses the gap, it is taken up by the postsynaptic receptor sites (the dendrites of the next neuron)
- here, the chemical message is converted back into an electrical impulse & the process begins again
- there are many different types of neurotransmitter (each has its own specific molecular structure that fits into the postsynaptic receptor site)
17
Q
what are they types of effect that neurotransmitters can have? (biopsychology)
A
- excitatory
- inhibitory
18
Q
what is an excitatory effect? (biopsychology)
A
- when a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron
- increases the likelihood the electrical impulse will be passed on
- e.g. adrenaline
19
Q
what is an inhibitory effect? (biopsychology)
A
- when a neurotransmitter increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron
- decreases the likelihood the electrical impulse will be passed on
-e.g. serotonin
20
Q
what is summation? (biopsychology)
A
- the net effect of the number of neurotransmitters at the postsynaptic neuron which decides its likelihood of firing
21
Q
is an electrical impulse more likely to occur if there are more excitatory neurotransmitters? (biopsychology)
A
- yes as long as there are fewer inhibitory neurotransmitters
22
Q
is an electrical impulse more likely to occur if there are more inhibitory neurotransmitters? (biopsychology)
A
- no, it will be less likely to occur if there are more inhibitory neurotransmitters
23
Q
what type of signal is the nervous system based on? (biopsychology)
A
- electrical
- chemical
24
Q
what are the two main function of the nervous system? (biopsychology)
A
- to collect, process & respond to information in the environment
- to co-ordinate the working of different organs & cells in the body
25
name the two subsystems of the nervous system (biopsychology)
- central nervous system (CNS)
- peripheral nervous system (PNS)
26
what is the central nervous system made up of? (biopsychology)
- the brain
- the spinal cord
27
what is the role of the brain in the central nervous system? (biopsychology)
- centre of all conscious awareness
- its cerebral cortex (only found in mammals) is highly developed & separates humans from other species
- it is divided into two hemispheres
28
what is the role of the spinal cord in the central nervous system? (biopsychology)
- is an extension of the brain
- passes messages to & from the brain
- connects nerves to the PNS
- it is also responsible for reflex actions (e.g. pulling your hand away from a hot pan)
29
what is the role of the peripheral nervous system? (biopsychology)
- transmits messages via neurons to & from the CNS
- it is divided into the autonomic nervous system (ANS) & somatic nervous system (SNS)
30
what is the role of the autonomic nervous system? (biopsychology)
- governs vital functions in the body
- e.g. breathing, heart rate, sexual arousal, stress responses etc
31
what is the role of the somatic nervous system? (biopsychology)
- governs muscle movement
- receives information from sensory receptors
32
what is the role of the endocrine system? (biopsychology)
- instructs glands to release hormones direct;y into the bloodstream
- these hormones are then targeted towards certain organs in the body
- works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body
33
what are the 3 key features of the endocrine system? (biopsychology)
- regulates cell & organ activity
- controls vial physiological processes
- release hormones from glands into the bloodstream (these bind to specific receptors to activate organ activity)
- e.g. adrenaline from the adrenal gland (for fight or flight), oestrogen from ovaries (reproductive system, menstrual cycle)
34
what are the role of glands in the endocrine system? (biopsychology)
- produce hormones which affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone
- e.g. the thyroid
35
what is the major gland in the endocrine system & what does it do? (biopsychology)
- the pituitary gland
- located in the brain
- it controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body
36
summarise the process of the flight or flight response (biopsychology)
- when the hypothalamus perceives a stressor in the environment the sympathetic branch of the ANS is triggered
- the ANS changes from its resting state to physiological arousal
- adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla which triggers a series of events (e.g. increased heart rate) which is necessary for the fight or flight response
- once the threat has passed the parasympathetic branch returns the body to its resting state (rest & digest response)
37
state some biological changes associated with the sympathetic response (biopsychology)
- increases heart rate
- increases breathing rate
- dilates pupils
- inhibits digestion
- inhibits saliva production
- contracts rectum
38
state some biological changes associated with the parasympathetic response (biopsychology)
- decreases heart rate
- decreases breathing rate
- constricts pupils
- stimulates digestion
- stimulates saliva production
- relaxes rectum
