biopsychology Flashcards
what is the nervous system
complex network of nerve cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body
What is the nervous system controlled by
brain
what is the nervous system divided into
central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
how does the nervous system carry messages
nerve cells (neurons) which transmit nerve impulses in the form of electrical systems
what is the central nervous system split into
spinal cord and brain
what are the two main functions of the central nervous system
control of behaviour and regulation of the body’s physiological processes
what is the peripheral nervous system spilt into
somatic nervous system
autonomic nervous system
whats the autonomic nervous system split into
sympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
what is the brain split into
- frontal lobe
- temporal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
what does the frontal lobe do
speech, thought and learning
what does the temporal lobe do
involved with hearing and memory
what does the parietal lobe do
process sensory information
what does the occipital lobe do
process visual information
what does the spinal cord do
relays information from the brain to the rest of the body and allows brain to co ordinate movement
what does the somatic nervous system do
transmits and receives messages from the senses and directs muscles to react and move
what does the autonomic nervous system do
controls movement of non skeletal muscles such as the heart - reactions are automatic
what does the sympathetic nervous system do
activated in situations that require energy (flight or fight)
what can the sympathetic nervous system cause
increase in heart rate and breathing
decrease digestion
blood flow is diverted to muscles
pupils dilate
what does the parasympathetic nervous system do
activated when the body is trying to conserve energy and store resources (eg - rest and digest)
what can the parasympathetic nervous system do
heart rate and breathing decreases
blood flow diverted back to digestive function
what is the endocrine system
network of glands throughout the body that manufacture and secrete hormones
what glands are in the endocrine system
pituitary gland, adrenal gland, reproductive organs
what is the role of hormones
affect target cells
target cells respond to a particular hormone to stimulate a physiological reaction in that target cell
timing and the correct levels of hormone released are critical for normal functioning
what controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland
hypothalamus
what is the master gland of the body
pituitary gland
this is because hormones released by it control the secretion of other endocrine glands
what are the main parts of the pituitary gland
anterior
posterior
what is the outer part of the adrenal gland called
adrenal cortex
what does the adrenal cortex do
releases hormones necessary for life
what does the adrenal corext produce
cortisol
what does the adrenal medulla release
adrenaline and noradrenaline
what are sensory neurons
carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain by turning sensory receptors into neutral impulses that are translated when they get to the brain (eg-visual, pain)
what are relay neurons
allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate, found in the brain and spinal cord
what are motor neurons
located in the CNS and send messages from the brain to the muscles and control muscles by forming synapses with the muscles to control their contraction
how does synaptic transmission happen
signals within neurons are transmitted electrically, when the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron it triggers the release of neurotransmitters
the triggers the next electrical impulse
