Biopsychology Flashcards
What are the main structures of the central nervous system
-The Brain
-The Spinal cord
What is the spinal cord responsible for in the CNS
-The spinal cord transfers messages to and from the brain and the rest of the body
-It is also responsible for simple reflex actions e.g withdrawing hand from a hot surface
What is the brain’s role in the CNS
-The brain provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological processes
What does the brain stem do
-The brain stem connects the brain and spinal cord
-controls involuntary processes e.g breathing
What does the Peripheral nervous system consist of
-The Somatic nervous system
-Autonomic nervous system
What is the function of the Peripheral nervous system
-To relay nerve impulses from the CNS to the rest of the body and from the body back to the CNS
What is the Somatic nervous system responsible for
-Voluntary functions (conscious of)
E.G touch, sight, hearing, taste
What is the Autonomic nervous system responsible for
-Involuntary functions (unconscious)
E.G breathing, digestion, blood pressure
What is the autonomic nervous system divided into
-Sympathetic nervous system
-Parasympathetic nervous system
What is the sympathetic nervous system involved in
-Involved in responses that prepare the body for FIGHT OR FLIGHT.
E.G-
Increases heart rate, blood pressure, liver releases glucose, bronchioles dilate, pupils dilate, adrenal glands secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine, digestive activity is inhibited, bladder is relaxed
What is the parasympathetic nervous system involved in
-Returns the body to it’s ‘normal’ resting state. REST AND DIGEST.
E.G-
Heart rate decreases, liver produces bile, bronchioles are restricted, pupils constrict, adrenal glands stop production of epinephrine and norepinephrine, digestion is stimulated, bladder contracts
what are the 3 types of neurons
-Sensory
-Relay
-Motor
What is a neuron
-Specialised cells designed to transmit information
Function of a sensory neuron
-Carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain (CNS)
Where are sensory receptors found
-Found in various parts of the body:
E.G eyes, ears, tongue and skin
Function of a relay neuron
-Allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate with each other
Function of a motor neuron
-Form synapses with muscles and control their contractions.
-When stimulated, the motor neuron releases neurotransmitters that bind to receptors on the muscle and triggers a response, leading to muscle movement.
Where are motor neurons located
-Located in the PNS
What is the process of synaptic transmission
-An action potential (electrical impulse) travels along the axon of the pre-synaptic neuron towards the axon terminal.
-This action potential triggers the nerve ending of the pre synaptic neuron to release neurotransmitters from vesicles into the synapse
-The neurotransmitters then diffuse across the synapse
-The neurotransmitters bind with specific receptors on the membrane of the post synaptic neuron
-If enough excitatory neurotransmitters are received by the post synaptic neuron, this binding triggers a new action potential in the post-synaptic neuron
-The neurotransmitters are either reabsorbed by the pre synaptic neuron through a process called reuptake, or they are broken down by enzymes within the synapse
What is the role of an excitatory transmitter
-Increase likelihood that an excitatory signal is sent to the post synaptic cell, which is then more likely to fire
What is the role of an inhibitory neurotransmitter
-Decreases likelihood of neuron firing
-Responsible for calming the mind and body, inducing sleep and filtering out unnecessary excitatory signals
Example of an excitatory transmitter
-Acetylcholine
-Noradrenaline
Example of an inhibitory transmitter
-Serotonin
-GABA
What is the endocrine system
A network of glands that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream, to regulate various bodily functions
Are the effects of the endocrine system fast or slow
Slow
Are the effects of the nervous system fast or slow
Fast
How does the endocrine system work
-Glands located throughout the body produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
-Hormones are then carried to target cells, where they bind to specific receptors that match their unique chemicals structure, allowing each hormone to have a specific effect on certain cells, without affecting others
Which gland is known as the ‘Master gland’
-The pituitary glad because it is located in the brain and stimulates glands to produce and release hormones into the bloodstream
What gland produces cortisol
The adrenal cortex
What gland produces noradrenaline and adrenaline
The adrenal medulla
What gland produces thyroxine
the thyroid gland
What hormones does the pancreas produce
Insulin and glucagon
What gland produces estrogen and progesterone
Ovaries
What gland produces testosterone
Testes
What hormone does the pineal gland produce
Melatonin
Function of cortisol
-Manages the stress response
-Increases heart rate and energy
Function of thyroxine
-Regulates metabolism
-Affects heart rate and temperature
Function of insulin
Controls blood glucose levels by storing glucose
Function of glucagon
control blood glucose levels by releasing glucose
Function of estrogen and progesterone
-Develops female secondary characteristics
-Regulates menstrual cycle
Function of testosterone
-Develops male secondary characteristics
-Increases muscle and bone mass
Function of Melatonin
Regulates sleep cycles, helping the body adapt to darkness and light
Function of the hypothalamus
-Controls the pituitary gland
-Links the nervous and endocrine system
Hormone
-Chemical messengers, produced by glands and released into the blood stream to regulate bodily functions
Receptor site
An specific location on target cells where hormones bind to exert their effect
Homeostasis
The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment
-Regulate body temperature
-Blood glucose levels
-Water levels
Gland
An organ that synthesizes and releases hormones into the blood stream
Function of growth hormone
Stimulates cell growth and development (division)
Hormones produced by pituitary gland
-Growth hormone, FSH, TSH etc
What is the fight or flight response
-A survival mechanism that prepares the body to respond to a perceived threat.
Key components of the fight or flight response
-The endocrine system
-The nervous system
The Sympathomedullary pathway (SAM)
This is the body’s response when dealing with acute stress
-The Hympothalamus activates the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system
-The SNS sends signals to the adrenal medulla (inner part of the adrenal gland)
-This stimulates the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream
-Adrenaline increases heart rate, dilates air passages and redirects blood flow into the essential organs
-Noradrenaline increases focus, heart rate, and blood flow to muscles, boosting oxygen supply to the brain
The body is now ready for the fight or flight response.
returns back to normal when danger is gone and parasympathetic nervous system is activated
Function of adrenaline
-Prepares the body for the fight or flight response by increasing heart rate, dilates air passages and redirects blood flow into the essential organs
Function of noradrenaline
-Prepares the body for the fight or flight response by increasing:
-focus
-heart rate
-blood flow to muscles, boosting oxygen supply to the brain
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Pathway (HPA)
Longer term response
-The hypothalamus releases CRF, which stimulates the pituitary gland
-The pituitary gland then releases ACTH into the blood stream
-ACTH activates the adrenal cortex (outer part of the adrenal gland) to release cortisol
-Cortisol increases glucose production for energy, and supresses the immune system
Body= ready for fight or flight response and return back to calm when danger is gone and Parasympathetic nervous system is activated
What is CRF
-A hormone that stimulates the release of ACTH from the pituitary gland
What is ACTH
-A hormone that stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex
Why can high levels of cortisol be harmful
-Can lead to high blood pressure and weakened immune system if levels remain high
What part of the autonomic nervous system returns the body back to its normal state after the fight or flight response
The parasympathetic nervous system
