biopsychology

Question 1

What is the central nervous system?

Answer 1

Consists of the brain and spinal cord. This is where all the complex processing of information is done and decisions are made.

Question 2

What is the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 2

Brings info from the senses to the CNS and transmits info from the CNS to the muscles and glands.

Question 3

What is the function of the brain?

Answer 3

Centre of awareness. It is divided in 2 hemispheres. The cortex is more developed in humans than in all other animals.

Question 4

What is the function of the spinal cord?

Answer 4

To relay information between the brain and the rest of the body. This allows the brain to monitor and regulate bodily processes, such as digestion and breathing, and to coordinate voluntary movements.

Question 5

What are the 2 main parts of the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 5

1. somatic nervous system
2. autonomic nervous system

Question 6

Somatic nervous system? - voluntary/ conscious

Answer 6

The somatic system is made up of 12 pairs of cranial nerves (nerves that emerge directly from the underside of the brain) and 31 pairs of spinal nerves (nerves that emerge from the spinal cord). These nerves have both sensory neurons and motor neurons. Sensory neurones relay messages to the CNS, and motor neurones relay information from the CNS to other areas of the body. The somatic system is also involved in reflex actions without the involvement of the CNS, which allows the reflex to occur very quickly.

Question 7

What is the autonomic nervous system?- involuntary/ unconscious

Answer 7

The body also carries out some actions without your conscious awareness. E.g your heart beats and your intestines digest food without you being consciously aware of this happening. Involuntary actions such as these are regulated by the ANS. This system is necessary because vital bodily functions such as heartbeat and digestion would not work so efficiently if you had to think about them. Both of these divisions tend to regulate the same organs but have opposite effects. This is because of the neurotransmitters associated with each division.

Question 8

What are the 2 main parts of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 8

1. Sympathetic nervous system
2. Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 9

Role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 9

Slows functions like digestion. Involved in flight or fight response

Question 10

Role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 10

Stimulates functions like digestion. Rest and digest.

Question 11

Whats the structure of the sensory neurone?

Answer 11

Cell body, axons, dendrites and myelin sheath.

Question 12

Whats the function of the sensory neurone?

Answer 12

Carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to the spinal cord or brain.

Question 13

Whats the structure of the relay neurone?

Answer 13

Cell body, axon, dendrites

Question 14

Whats the function of the relay neurone?

Answer 14

Allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate with each other.

Question 15

Whats the structure of the motor neurone?

Answer 15

Axon, dendrites, cell body

Question 16

Whats the function of the motor neurone?

Answer 16

Conduct signals from CNS to effector organs such as muscles.

Question 17

Role of the reflex arc?

Answer 17

Reflexes protect us from danger. The response has to be very fast so the relay neuron is situated in the spine in order to save time.

Question 18

How do neurons communicate?

Answer 18

Neurons do not make direct contact. There is a very small gap between neurons called a synaptic cleft. The electrical nerve impulse cannot cross this gap. The signal crosses the gap in the form of chemicals which diffuse across the synaptic cleft. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.

Question 19

Whats an action potential?

Answer 19

When a neuron is activated by a stimulus, the inside of the cell becomes positively charged for a short time, this is the action potential. It creates the electrical impulse that travels along the axon to the end of the neurone.