Biopsychology

Question 1

The Nervous System

Answer 1

• Is our primary internal communication system; its a specialised network of nerve cells in our body
• It consists of the CNS and the PNS; each are further divided

Question 2

The Central Nervous System

Answer 2

• Receives info from the senses and controls the behaviour + regulation of the bodies psychological processes
• The brain recieves info from sensory receptors and sends messages to muscles and glands
• Consists of the brain and spinal cord (spinal cord is an extension of the brain responsible for reflex actions.

Question 3

The Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 3

• Transmits info to and from the CNS, to connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body and the external environment
• Consists of the somatics nervous system + autonomous nervous system

Question 4

Somatic Nervous System

Is in the PNS

Answer 4

• The SNS controls skeletal muscles that are voluntarily used, transmits and receives messages from the senses and is involved in reflex actions without the involvement of the CNS so that the reflex can occur quick
• Sensory nerve pathways bring info from the sensory receptors to the CNS, dealings with the touch, pain, temperature etc
• Motor nerve pathways controls bodily movements by carrying impulses towards the muscles

Question 5

Autonomous Nervous System

Is in the PNS

Answer 5

• The ANS regulates glands, blood vessels and internal organs
• The autonomous nervous system consists of the sympathetic nervous system (mobilises body for action, energy output) + parasympathetic nervous system (conserves energy, maintains quiet state)

Question 6

The Endocrine System

Answer 6

• The endocrine system is a network of glands throughout the body whose function is to control the activity of particular cells or organs in the body.
• Glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream or circulatory system.
• Hormones released by these glands are vital to most of the physiological functions of the body.
• The ‘master gland’ is the pituitary - rather than having a direct effect on tissues of the body the function of this gland is to control other endocrine glands.
• The hypothalamus controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland and is thus considered to have general control of the endocrine system.

Question 7

Examples of some endocrine glands

Answer 7

• Examples of other key glands, their associated hormones and their functions include:
• thyroid, releases the hormone thyroxine, function - regulates metabolic rate
• testes, release androgens, function - development of male characteristics at puberty
• ovaries, release oestrogens, function - regulate female reproductive system etc
• pineal, releases melatonin, function - regulates biological rhythms etc
• adrenal medulla, releases adrenaline and noradrenaline, function - fight or flight response
• adrenal cortex, (i) releases glucocorticoids eg cortisone, function - release glucose, suppress immune response etc i releases mineralcorticoids, function - regulates water balance of the body.

Question 8

Whats a neuron?

Answer 8

• They’re the cells that make up the nervous system
• There’re motor, relay and sensory neurons

Question 9

Motor neurons

Answer 9

• The nerve cells responsible for carrying signals away from the CNS towards muscles to cause movement
• They release neurotransmitters to trigger responses leading to muscle movement
• Motor neurons are located in the brainstem or spinal cord (parts of the CNS) and connect to muscles glands and organs throughout the body

Question 10

Relay neurons

Answer 10

• Allows SENSORY and MOTOR neurons to communicate with each other
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Question 11

Sensory neurons