Biopsychology: nervous and endocrine system

Question 1

what is biopsychology?

Answer 1

A branch of psychology that analyses how the brain and neurotransmitters influences our behaviours, thoughts and feelings

Question 2

what is the nervous system?

Answer 2

it is a specialised network of cells in the human body and is our main internal communication system.

Question 3

what are the 2 sub-systems the human nervous system is divided in to?

Answer 3

PNS (peripheral nervous system)
CNS (central nervous system)

Question 4

what is the CNS made up of?

Answer 4

the brain and spinal cord

Question 5

what is the brain?

Answer 5

its the centre of conscious awareness

Question 6

what is the cerebral cortex?

Answer 6

its the brains outer layer which is highly developed in humans - it is what distinguishes our higher mental functions from those of animals

Question 7

what is the spinal cord?

Answer 7

it is the extension of the brain which is responsible for reflexes

Question 8

what is the role of the PNS?

Answer 8

transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the CNS

Question 9

what is the PNS further divided into?

Answer 9

ANS and SNS

Question 10

what is the ANS?

Answer 10

autonomic nervous system - governs vital functions in the body such as breathing ,heartrate ,digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses.

Question 11

What can the ANS be branched into further?

Answer 11

Parasympathetic and sympathetic state.

Question 12

What happens during the sympathetic state?

Answer 12

Increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, dilate pupils, inhibit digestion, inhibit saliva production, contract rectum

Question 13

What happens during parasympathetic state?

Answer 13

Decreases heart rate, decreases breathing rate, constricts pupils, stimulates digestion, stimulate saliva production, relaxes rectum.

Question 14

What is the SNS?

Answer 14

somatic nervous system - controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors. Transmits infromation from the brain to muscles.

Question 15

what is the function endocrine system?

Answer 15

A network of glands throughout the body that manufacture and secrete chemical messengers knows as hormones. It instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream via blood vessels.
Regulates cell/organ activity within the body and controls vital psychological processes in the body
eg adrenaline produces effects such as flight or fight responses.
imbalance in hormones might lead to dysfunction.

Question 16

what is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 16

controls the release of 8 major hormones by the pituitary gland.

Question 17

what is the function of the pituitary gland?

Answer 17

regulates the functions of other endocrine glands.

Question 18

what is the function of thyroid/parathyroid?

Answer 18

thyroid plays a major role in metabolism, growth and maturation.
parathyroid glands are 4 pea sized glands that are behind the thyriod gland.

Question 19

what is the function of the adrenal gland?

Answer 19

located on the top of each kidney - produces adrenaline. Adrenal gland reacts to stressors like illness or injury, and regulates blood pressure.

Question 20

what is the function of pancreas?

Answer 20

produces insulin, glucagon and somatostatin.

Question 21

what are ovaries?

Answer 21

two small organs for child birth

Question 22

what are testes?

Answer 22

two small glands which produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.

Question 23

what happens in fight or flight situation?

Answer 23

1. stressor is perceived so the ANS changes from parasympathetic state to sympathetic state.
2. then the pituitary gland releases the hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone)
3. this hormone affects the adrenal glands causing them to release adrenaline into the bloodstream.
4. adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body which creates the need for fight or flight.
5. body then returns into parasympathetic state .