Biopsychology Flashcards
Different parts of the Brain
Cerebrum- split into 2 hemispheres and 4 lobes
Cerebellum- It is associated with Motor Skills
Brain Stem- Connects the spinal cord to the rest of the brain. Regulates functions such as breathing
Name 4 different lobes
Frontal- Involved with speech
Temporal- Hearing and Memory
Occipital- Processes visual information
Parietal-Sensory such as pain and touch
Function of the Spinal Cord
To transmit information between the brain and the rest of the body.
Main function of The Peripheral System
To relay the nerve impulses from the CNS to the rest of the body and then back to the CNS
What does the Peripheral System consist of?
Somatic and Autonomic System.
Somatic- connects the CNS with muscles also deals with reflex actions
Autonomic- Split into 2 subdivisions and deals with threats and emergencies and also the digestion and rest.
What does the Sympathetic System do?
It brings about the flight or fight system to deal with threats
What does the Parasympathetic System do?
Effects are opposite the sympathetic
Describe the structure of Neurons
Cell body- contains nucleus is in control of the neurone
Dendrites-They are the long fine branches that come off the cell body. They receive information and transport it to the cell body
Axon- large branch that comes off the body
Myelin Sheath- It encases the axon in a fatty sheath it protects the axon and helps the impulses move quicker
Nodes of Ranvier- gaps in axon
Sensory neutrons have…
Long dendrites and short axons
There function is too carry information from the peripheral system to the CNS
Relay Neurons have…
Short dendrites and short axons
They connect the sensory neutrons to the motor neurone
Motor Neurons have…
Short dendrites and long axons
They allow us to coordinate movements
6 Stages in the process of Synaptic Transmission
- The electrical impulses come down the axon
- Inside of the neuron it becomes positively charged compared to the outside
- The Synaptic Vesicles at the axons terminals release neuro transmitters
- The Neuro Transmitter chemically diffuses across the synapse
- The neurotransmitters bind to the receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
- An electrical impulse is either triggered or prevents from carrying on
What is an inhibitory and Excitatory neurotransmitter
Inhibitory- prevents the recieving neutron from sending an electrical impulse
Excitatory- Triggers the receiving neutron to send an electrical impulse
What is Summation?
The neuron will less likely fire if the net effect is inhibitory
The neuron will more likely fire if the net effect is excitatory
What is the Endocrine System?
It works with nervous system in order to regulate the physiological processes of the human body.
Pituitary gland anterior
-ACTH- Response to stress LH AND FSH- help produce oestrogen
Pituitary gland postierior
Oxytocin- Bonding mother and child, brings about contractions in labour
Adrenal Gland- Adrenal cortex
Cortisol- encourages release of stored fats and sugars in blood stream
Adrenal Gland- Adrenal Medular
Brings about the fight or flight response
Describe the Fight or Flight Response
- The Hypothalamus interprets a stressor or threat
- This activates the sympathetic branch of he ANS
- This triggers the adrenal medusa
- This releases adrenaline and non adrenaline
Once the stressor has passed the PNS attempts to return itself back to normal
What are the direct effects of Adrenaline?
- Heart beats faster and pumps blood to organs
- Breathing increases
- Triggers blood release to supply energy
Evaluation of the Fight or Flight Response
C- may not be applicable to everyone some people freeze
C- oversimplifies as it ignores the importance of cooperation
C- Gender biased men and women deal with stress differently
