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AQA A-level Psychology > Biopsychology- nervous system > Flashcards

Biopsychology- nervous system Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the nervous system?

A

It is a specialised network of nerve cells in the body and is our primary internal communication system.
It allows the rest of the brain, spinal cord and rest of the body to communicate.

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2
Q

What are the two sub-systems of the nervous system?

A

Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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3
Q

Main functions of the nervous system?

A

-Collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
-To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body

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4
Q

What is the CNS made up of?

A

Brain and spinal cord

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5
Q

What are the main functions of the CNS?

A

-Control of behaviour
-Regulation of body’s physiological processes

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6
Q

How does it carry out its functions?

A

The brain receives information from sensory receptors (eyes, skin etc.) and send messages to the muscles and glands in the body. The spinal cord is responsible for relaying this information. It is a collection of nerve cells that are attached to the brain and run the length of the spinal column.

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7
Q

What is the function of the brain?

A

The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. The brain’s outer layer, the cerebral cortex (also called cerebrum) is highly developed and is what distinguishes our higher mental functions from those of animals.

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8
Q

What is the function of the spinal cord?

A

The main function is to relay information between the brain and the rest of the body. It allows the brain to monitor and regulate bodily processes (eg. digestion, breathing) and to control voluntary movement. The spinal cord is connected to different parts of the body by pairs of spinal nerves which connect to specific muscles and glands. The spinal cord also contains circuits of nerve cells that allow us to perform some simple reflexes without the direct involvement of the brain.

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9
Q

What is the PNS made up of?

A

All of the neurons outside of the CNS.

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10
Q

What is the function of the PNS?

A

-relay nerve impulses from the CNS to the rest of the body back to the CNS.

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11
Q

What is the PNS divided into?

A

-somatic nervous system
-autonomic nervous system

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12
Q

What is the somatic nervous system made up of?

A

sensory and motor neurones

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13
Q

What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?

A

-reflex actions
-voluntary muscle movements

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14
Q

What are the sensory neurones responsible for?

A

They receive information from sensory receptors and relay these messages to the CNS. Therefore, the somatic nervous system connects the CNS to the senses.

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15
Q

What are the motor neurones responsible for?

A

Relay messages from the CNS to other areas of the body, and so control voluntary muscle movement.

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16
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system responsible for?

A

-Controls internal organs and glands of vital functions of the body without conscious awareness.
-Involuntary actions

17
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system made up of?

A

Motor neurones ONLY.

18
Q

What are the further subdivisions of the ANS?

A

-Sympathetic nervous system
-Parasympathetic nervous system

19
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system also known as?

A

Fight or flight response

20
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system also known as?

A

Rest and digest response

21
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?

A

Responds to a perceived threat. Neurones from the sympathetic nervous system travel to every organ in the body to produce physiological changes in the body to prepare for fight or flight.

22
Q

What physiological changes does the flight or flight response cause?

A

Inhibition of digestion and urination, dilation of pupils, increase in heart rate and breathing

23
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?

A

The parasympathetic nervous system restores normal physiological functioning when the threat has passed. It is involved in energy conservation and digestion.

24
Q

What physiological changes does the rest and digest response cause?

A

Resuming of digestion and urination, decrease in heart rate and breathing

25
Q

What is it called when both systems are in balance?

A

Homeostasis.

AQA A-level Psychology (13 decks)

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