Biopsychology - nervous system and endocrine system Flashcards
what is the nervous system?
- primary internal communication system
- collects, processes, and responds to environmental stimuli
- co-ordinates workings of organs within the body
how is the nervous system split up?
central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
what is the CNS
the brain and spinal cord
how is the PNS split up
somatic and autonomic
what’s the difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous system?
somatic is voluntary responses under conscious control that moves skeletal muscles
autonomic is involuntary responses that control smooth muscles (e.g heart, lungs, etc)
how is the autonomic nervous system split up?
sympathetic (aroused) and parasympathetic (normal/relaxed)
receptors
detect changes (eg receptor cells)
co-ordination centres
interpret change and controls what needs to be done (brain, spinal cord)
effectors
carry out the change (muscles, glands)
what is the order of the 3 main components of the nervous system?
receptors, co-ordination centres, effectors. travel by signals
what is the purpose of the endocrine system?
endocrine glands release hormones to target organs to help regulate them and carry out their functions with a physiological response to the stimuli
what is the pituitary gland
located at base of brain, ‘master gland’, secretes several hormones, maintains homeostasis, controls metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, and blood pressure
what are signs of being in the parasympathetic state?
inhibits digestion, dilates pupils, increased breathing and heart rate
fight or flight response
- hypothalamus in brain triggers ANS to change from parasympathetic to sympathetic state
- triggers release of adrenaline from adrenal glands
- adrenaline in bloodstream goes to target organs generating a physiological reaction
- once threat has passed, return to parasympathetic state
