Biopsychology Flashcards
What two parts can the nervous system be divided into
- the central nervous system (CNS)
- the peripheral nervous system (PNS )
what are neurons
cells that transmit and receive electrical signals called nerve impulses
what are the 4 main component of the neuron
dendrite, cell body, axon, axon terminal
how do neurons transmit information
through nerve impulses or action potentials
what is a nerve impulse
big change in voltage triggered at the cell body of the neuron. nerve impulses move in one direction down the neuron, from the dendrite down to the axon terminal. Nerve impulses occur if there is a big enough change at the cell body
when does a nerve impulse occur
there is a large enough positive change in voltage
what is a synapse
the gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of the second neurone
what is synaptic transmission
process through which nerve impulses are transmitted across the synapse in order to communicate
how do neurons communicate
through the synapse
what is the central nervous system
The nervous system is our primary internal communication system, a specialised network of cells in our body. The central nervous system receives information from the senses and controls the behavior and regulation of the body’s psychological processes.
what is the peripheral nervous system
The portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord. The function of the peripheral nervous system is to connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The peripheral nervous system transmits information to and from the CNS.
what can the PNS be divided into
the somatic nervous system
autonomic nervous system
what is the somatic nervous system
The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, transmits and receives messages from the senses and is involved in reflex actions without the involvement of the CNS so the reflex can occur very quickly. Somatic Nervous System (SNS) connects the central nervous system with the senses and is composed of: sensory and motor nerve
what is the autonomic nervous system
regulates involuntary actions such as bodily arousal, body temperature, homeostasis, heart rate, digestion and blood pressure. Composed of 2 parts: The sympathetic nervous system and The parasympathetic nervous system.
what is the sympathetic nervous system
1/2 of the autonomic nervous system. involved in responses which help us deal with emergencies. It slows bodily processes that are less important in emergencies such as digestion. The sympathetic ANS leads to increased arousal
what is the parasympathetic nervous system
1/2 of the autonomic nervous system. relaxes the individual once the emergency has passed. and conserves the body’s natural activity by decreasing activity/maintaining it. The parasympathetic ANS leads to decreased arousal.
what is the sensory neurones
convey information about sensory stimuli: vision, touch, taste, etc. towards the brain.
what is the motor neurones
convey instructions for physical operations: e.g. release of hormones from glands, muscle movement, digestion, etc.
what is the relay neurones
Relay neurons – connect different parts of the central nervous system (CNS).
what does Excitatory mean
make a nerve impulse more likely to be triggered: for example, dopamine or serotonin which produce states of excitement/activity in the nervous system and in our mental state/behavior.
what does Inhibitory mean
make a nerve impulse less likely to be triggered: for example, GABA calms activity in the nervous system and produces states of relaxation
what are hormones
chemical messengers secreted from structures (glands) in the body which pass through the bloodstream to cause changes in our body or behavior. The network of glands is called the endocrine system.
what does the thyroid gland release
hormone: thyroxine
Regulates metabolic rate and protein synthesis
what does the Adrenal medulla release
main hormones: Adrenaline and noradrenaline
Fight or flight response: increased heart rate, blood pressure, release of glucose and fats (for energy)
what does testes release
main hormone: Testosterone
Male sexual characteristics, muscle mass
what does the ovaries release
main hormone: Oestrogen
Female sexual characteristics, menstruation, pregnancy
what does the pineal gland release
main hormone: melatonin
Sleep-wake cycle
what is the pituitary gland
master gland and controls release of hormones from many of the glands described above. The pituitary is divided into the anterior and posterior.
what is the fight or flight response
sequence of activity within the body that is triggered when the body prepares itself for defending or attacking (fight) or running away to safety (flight)
