Biopsychology Flashcards
What is the Central nervous system (CNS) made up of?
The Central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the spinal cord and the brain.
What does the Central nervous system (CNS) do?
The Central nervous system (CNS) receives information from the senses and controls the body’s responses.
What are the two main parts of the Nervous system?
The two main parts of the nervous system are:
- The Central nervous system (CNS)
- The Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What are the two parts of Peripheral nervous system?
The two parts of Peripheral nervous system are:
- Somatic nervous system (SNS)
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
What are the two parts of the Autonomic nervous system?
The two parts of the Autonomic nervous system are:
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
What is the Endocrine System and what does it do?
The Endocrine system is a network of glands across the body that secrete chemical messages called hormones. It works alongside the nervous system. Information is transferred through blood instead of nerves.
Name 5 glands that make up the Endocrine System?
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary Gland
- Pineal Gland
- Thyroid
- Thymus
- Pancreas
- Adrenal Glands
- Placenta
- Testicle
- Ovary
What is the main hormone that’s released in the Pineal gland?
The main hormone produced in the Pineal gland is Melatonin.
What does Melatonin do?
Melatonin is responsible for important biological rhythms, including the sleeping and waking cycle.
What does the Hypothalamus do?
The Hypothalamus stimulates and controls the release of hormones from the Pituitary gland.
What are the two main hormones released by the Pituitary gland?
The two main hormones released by the Pituitary gland are ACTH and Oxytocin.
What effect does ACTH have on the body?
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex and the release of cortisol during the stress response.
What effect does Oxytocin have on the body?
Oxytocin is responsible for uterus contractions during child birth.
- What is the main hormone that is released from the Thyroid gland?
- What is this hormone responsible for?
- Thyroxine.
* Thyroxine is responsible for regulating metabolism.
What are the two hormones that are released from the Adrenal Medulla?
Adrenaline and Noradrenaline.
What hormone is released from the Adrenal cortex and what does it do?
- Cortisol.
* It stimulates the release of glucose to provide the body energy, while suppressing the immune system.
What hormone is released from the Ovaries?
Oestrogen.
What does Oestrogen do?
Oestrogen controls the female reproduction system. (Menstrual and Pregnancy cycles)
What hormone is produced from the Testes?
Testosterone.
What does Testosterone do?
Testosterone is responsible for the development of male sex characteristics during puberty and muscle growth.
Name the 4 main areas of the brain and draw them?
- Cerebrum
- Diencephalon
- Cerebellum
- Brain stem
Name the 4 lobes of the Cerebrum.
Frontal lobes (speech,thought,learning) -
Parietal lobes
(sensory information)
-
Temporal lobes
(are involved with hearing and memory)
-
Occipital lobes
(process visual info)
How do the two half’s of the cerebrum communicate?
The two half’s of the cerebrum communicate through the corpus callosum.
What is the role of the cerebellum?
The cerebellum is involved in controlling a persons motor skills and balance, coordinating the muscles to allow precise movements.
In which area of the brain are the thalamus and hypothalamus located?
In the diencephalon.
What is the main function of the spinal cord?
The main function of the spinal chord is to relay information between the brain and the rest of the body.
What does the brain stem do?
The brain stem is responsible for regulating the automatic functions that are essential for life. (Breathing, heartbeat)
What is the Pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland is the master gland whose primary function is to influence the release of hormones from other glands.
What does the autonomic nervous system do?
Governs the brains involuntary activities e.g (stress and heartbeat)
What do motor neurons do?
They form synapses with muscles and control their contractions.
What do Neurotransmitters do?
Neurotransmitters transmit nerve impulses across the synapse.
What do relay neurons do?
Allow the sensory and motor neurons to communicate with each other.
What do Sensory neurons do?
Carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to spinal cord and the brain.
What is Synaptic transmission?
When a nerve impulse passes across the synaptic cleft from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron.
What do motor neurons do?
Muscle contractions (they do the tasks)
What is the HPA axis?
Stress response activated by hypothalamus.
Hypothalamus releases chemical messenger that goes to the pituitary gland. Pituitary sends hormone to adrenal cortex stimulating the release of cortisol and other hormones.
What does adrenaline do?
- Pushes blood to muscles.
- Bp increases
- Release of glucose (supplying energy)
What is Broca’s area?
An area in the FRONTAL LOBE of the brain, usually in the LEFT hemisphere, related to SPEECH production.
What is Localisation of function?
The belief that SPECIFIC areas of the brain are associated with specific COGNITIVE processes.
What is the Motor Cortex?
Region of the brain responsible for generation of voluntary motor movements.
Somatosensory Cortex?
- Area of brain
- Processes input from Sensory receptors
Wernicke’s area?
- Area of brain in temporal lobe
- Important in comprehension of language
Brain plasticity?
Brain’s ability to modify its own structure and function as a result of experience.
Functional recovery?
The recovery of abilities and mental processes that have been compromised by brain injury.
What are the 4 ways of examining the brain?
- fMRI
- EEG
- ERP
- Post Mortem Examinations
What is fMRI?
- A technique for measuring brain activity.
- Works by detecting changes in blood oxygenation
What are post mortem examinations?
Examining brains of those with abnormalities after death.
What is EEG?
A method of recording changes in electrical activity of brain. (things on head)
What is ERP?
Takes raw EEG data and investigates cognitive processing of a specific event.
Circadian rhythm?
A pattern of behaviour that occurs approx every 24 hrs which is set by environmental stimuli (light).
What’s the difference between Infradian rhythms and Ultradian rhythms?
Infradian rhythms have a duration of over 24 hours whereas Ultradian rhythms last less than 24 hours.
What are Endogenous pacemakers?
Mechanisms within the body that govern the interna, biological bodily rhythms.
Explain and draw the Sleeping-waking cycle?
Sunlight -> Photoreceptor (retina) -> SCN (hypothalamus)
Blue light = -> Cortisol produced from pituitary -> Wake
Faint/red light = -> Melatonin from pineal -> Sleep
What is the SCN?
Pacemaker for circadian rhythms.
