Biopsychology Flashcards
endocrine system
one of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream
gland
an organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones
hormones
chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and only affect target organs
flight or flight response
they way an animal responds when stressed. the body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or in some cases flee
adrenaline
a hormone produced y the adrenal glands which is part of the body’s immediate stress response system
nervous system
consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
central nervous system
consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions
peripheral nervous system
sends info the the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body
somatic nervous system
transmits info from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS
autonomic nervous system
transmits info to and from internal bodily organs. operates involuntarily
neuron
nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signials
sensory neuron
carry messages from the PNS to the CNS, they have long dendrites and short axons
relay neurons
connect sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. they have short dendrites and short axons
motor neuron
connect CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands, short dendrites and long axons
synaptic transmission
the process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap that separates them
