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Psychology > Biopsychology > Flashcards

Biopsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the main structures of the central nervous system

A

-The Brain
-The Spinal cord

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2
Q

What is the spinal cord responsible for in the CNS

A

-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

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3
Q

What is the brain’s role in the CNS

A

-The brain provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological processes

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4
Q

What does the brain stem do

A

-The brain stem connects the brain and spinal cord
-controls involuntary processes e.g breathing

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5
Q

What does the Peripheral nervous system consist of

A

-The Somatic nervous system
-Autonomic nervous system

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6
Q

What is the function of the Peripheral nervous system

A

-To relay nerve impulses from the CNS to the rest of the body and from the body back to the CNS

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7
Q

What is the Somatic nervous system responsible for

A

-Voluntary functions (conscious of)
E.G touch, sight, hearing, taste

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8
Q

What is the Autonomic nervous system responsible for

A

-Involuntary functions (unconscious)
E.G breathing, digestion, blood pressure

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9
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system divided into

A

-Sympathetic nervous system
-Parasympathetic nervous system

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10
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system involved in

A

-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

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11
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system involved in

A

-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

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12
Q

what are the 3 types of neurons

A

-Sensory
-Relay
-Motor

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13
Q

What is a neuron

A

-Specialised cells designed to transmit information

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14
Q

Function of a sensory neuron

A

-Carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain (CNS)

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15
Q

Where are sensory receptors found

A

-Found in various parts of the body:

E.G eyes, ears, tongue and skin

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16
Q

Function of a relay neuron

A

-Allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate with each other

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17
Q

Function of a motor neuron

A

-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.

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18
Q

Where are motor neurons located

A

-Located in the PNS

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19
Q

What is the process of synaptic transmission

A

-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

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20
Q

What is the role of an excitatory transmitter

A

-Increase likelihood that an excitatory signal is sent to the post synaptic cell, which is then more likely to fire

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21
Q

What is the role of an inhibitory neurotransmitter

A

-Decreases likelihood of neuron firing

-Responsible for calming the mind and body, inducing sleep and filtering out unnecessary excitatory signals

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22
Q

Example of an excitatory transmitter

A

-Acetylcholine
-Noradrenaline

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23
Q

Example of an inhibitory transmitter

A

-Serotonin
-GABA

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24
Q

What is the endocrine system

A

A network of glands that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream, to regulate various bodily functions

25
Q

Are the effects of the endocrine system fast or slow

A

Slow

26
Q

Are the effects of the nervous system fast or slow

A

Fast

27
Q

How does the endocrine system work

A

-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

28
Q

Which gland is known as the ‘Master gland’

A

-The pituitary glad because it is located in the brain and stimulates glands to produce and release hormones into the bloodstream

29
Q

What gland produces cortisol

A

The adrenal cortex

30
Q

What gland produces noradrenaline and adrenaline

A

The adrenal medulla

31
Q

What gland produces thyroxine

A

the thyroid gland

32
Q

What hormones does the pancreas produce

A

Insulin and glucagon

33
Q

What gland produces estrogen and progesterone

A

Ovaries

34
Q

What gland produces testosterone

A

Testes

35
Q

What hormone does the pineal gland produce

A

Melatonin

36
Q

Function of cortisol

A

-Manages the stress response
-Increases heart rate and energy

37
Q

Function of thyroxine

A

-Regulates metabolism
-Affects heart rate and temperature

38
Q

Function of insulin

A

Controls blood glucose levels by storing glucose

39
Q

Function of glucagon

A

control blood glucose levels by releasing glucose

40
Q

Function of estrogen and progesterone

A

-Develops female secondary characteristics
-Regulates menstrual cycle

41
Q

Function of testosterone

A

-Develops male secondary characteristics
-Increases muscle and bone mass

42
Q

Function of Melatonin

A

Regulates sleep cycles, helping the body adapt to darkness and light

43
Q

Function of the hypothalamus

A

-Controls the pituitary gland
-Links the nervous and endocrine system

44
Q

Hormone

A

-Chemical messengers, produced by glands and released into the blood stream to regulate bodily functions

45
Q

Receptor site

A

An specific location on target cells where hormones bind to exert their effect

46
Q

Homeostasis

A

The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment

-Regulate body temperature
-Blood glucose levels
-Water levels

47
Q

Gland

A

An organ that synthesizes and releases hormones into the blood stream

48
Q

Function of growth hormone

A

Stimulates cell growth and development (division)

49
Q

Hormones produced by pituitary gland

A

-Growth hormone, FSH, TSH etc

50
Q

What is the fight or flight response

A

-A survival mechanism that prepares the body to respond to a perceived threat.

51
Q

Key components of the fight or flight response

A

-The endocrine system
-The nervous system

52
Q

The Sympathomedullary pathway (SAM)

A

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

53
Q

Function of adrenaline

A

-Prepares the body for the fight or flight response by increasing heart rate, dilates air passages and redirects blood flow into the essential organs

54
Q

Function of noradrenaline

A

-Prepares the body for the fight or flight response by increasing:

-focus
-heart rate
-blood flow to muscles, boosting oxygen supply to the brain

55
Q

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Pathway (HPA)

A

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

56
Q

What is CRF

A

-A hormone that stimulates the release of ACTH from the pituitary gland

57
Q

What is ACTH

A

-A hormone that stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex

58
Q

Why can high levels of cortisol be harmful

A

-Can lead to high blood pressure and weakened immune system if levels remain high

59
Q

What part of the autonomic nervous system returns the body back to its normal state after the fight or flight response

A

The parasympathetic nervous system

Psychology (14 decks)

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