Biopsychology

Question 1

What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 1

Transmits messages through neurones to and from the CNS. It sends information from the outside world to the CNS, then from CNS to the effector

Question 2

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Answer 2

Controls conscious muscle movement. It is responsible for receiving information from senses and sending it to the CNS and transmitting information from the CNS to effector organs

Question 3

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 3

Controls vital functions in the body, for example breathing, heart rate, digestion, stress response. It is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 4

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 4

Prepares the body for flight or fight in the face of stress. It increases heart and breathing rate, stops digestion, dilates pupils, etc.

Question 5

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 5

The rest and digest state, controls breathing, heart rate and promotes digestion

Question 6

What is the function of the central nervous system?

Answer 6

Origin of all complex commands and functions. It is made up of the brain and spinal cord

Question 7

What is the function of the spinal cord?

Answer 7

An extension of the brain and is responsible for reflex actions. It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS

Question 8

What is the function of the brain?

Answer 8

Centre of all conscious awareness

Question 9

Name the 2 divisions of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 9

Autonomic NS and somatic NS

Question 10

Name the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 10

Parasympathetic NS and sympathetic NS

Question 11

Name the 2 divisions of the central nervous system

Answer 11

Brain and spinal cord

Question 12

Explain 2 differences between the somatic NS and the autonomic NS

Answer 12

1. Autonomic controls vital functions in the body whereas somatic controls conscious movement
2. Autonomic is responsible for functions such as breathing, heart rate, digestion whereas somatic is responsible for receiving info from senses and sending to CNS

Question 13

Explain one difference between the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems

Answer 13

Parasympathetic is the rest and digest state whereas sympathetic prepares the boys for fight or flight

Question 14

Explain one difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

Answer 14

The peripheral nervous system sends messages to the central nervous system

Question 15

Describe the changes that happen in the body during the fight or flight response

Answer 15

Increased energy and alertness
Increased blood flow to muscles
Increased heart rate
Increased breathing rate
Increased blood pressure
Dilated pupils
Digestion stops

Question 16

Describe the changes that happen in the body to return to the rest and digest state

Answer 16

Decreased energy and alertness
Decreased blood flow to muscles
Decreased heart rate
Decreased breathing rate
Decreased blood pressure
Constricted pupils
Digestion starts

Question 17

Name the hormone released in the fight or flight response and name the gland they’re released from

Answer 17

Adrenaline in the adrenal gland

Question 18

Name 2 glands that form the endocrine system and outline their functions

Answer 18

Pituitary gland- known as the master gland as it controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands
Adrenal gland- releases adrenaline and noradrenaline. Is responsible for the activation of fight or flight

Question 19

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Answer 19

Controls vital functions in the body alongside the nervous system through instructing glands to release hormones into the bloodstream

Question 20

Explain 2 differences between the nervous system and the endocrine system

Answer 20

-The endocrine system is chemical messengers whereas the nervous system is nerve impulses
-The endocrine system is slow acting but more widespread than the nervous system and has
more powerful effects that are longer lasting

Question 21

What is the role of the sensory neuron?

Answer 21

Registers the input from the senses and transports to the CNS

Question 22

What is the role of relay neurons?

Answer 22

Decides what to do and passes the message on within the brain. It connects the sensory to motor neuron or another relay neuron

Question 23

What is the role of motor neurons?

Answer 23

Tells the muscles to move by connecting CNS to effectors

Question 24

What type of neurons have short dendrites and long axons?

Answer 24

Motor neurons

Question 25

Which type of neurons have long dendrites and short axons?

Answer 25

Sensoryneurones

Question 26

Which type of neurones gave short dendrites and short axons?

Answer 26

Relay neurones

Question 27

Explain the process of synaptic transmission

Answer 27

Synaptic transmission is the movement of information neurone to neurone. Electrical impulses reach the presynaptic ending and they then trigger the release of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are released from vesicles across the synapse. Neurotransmitters bind with receptors on the postsynaptic membrane and stimulation of postsynaptic receptors by neurotransmitters result in either excitation or inhibition of the postsynaptic membrane

Question 28

What is meant by excitation?

Answer 28

When a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the post-synaptic neurone. This increases the likelihood that the neurone will fire and pass on the electrical impulse

Question 29

What is meant by inhibition?

Answer 29

When a neurotransmitter increases the negative charge of the post-synaptic neurone. This decreases the likelihood that the neurone will fire and pass on the electrical impulse