Biopsychology - nervous system + endocrine system (Paper 2) Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
Our nervous system is a complex network of nerve cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body.
What is the PNS?
Peripheral nervous system consists of all other nerves that aren’t part of the CNS. They relay information via nerve impulses from rest of body to the CNS.
Describe the divisions of the nervous system?
Nervous system breaks up into the CNS and Peripheral nervous system (PNS). CNS breaks up in to the brain and spinal cord.
Describe the divisions of the PNS?
PNS breaks up into Somatic nervous system and autonomic system. Autonomic system breaks up into sympathetic and parasympathetic system.
What is the function of the spinal cord?
Responsible for passing messages from the brain to the rest of the body, then transmitting messages back to the brain.
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Is responsible for passing messages to the brain from the sensory organs, and from the brain to the muscles. It controls voluntary or conscious actions.
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
Controls the body’s ‘autonomic’ or involuntary actions such as breathing and heart rate.
What does the ANS control?
Controls smooth muscles and glands, generally forms the supporting tissue of blood vessels and hollow internal organs , such as stomach and intestine.
What’s the role of the Sympathetic nervous system?
Is the body’s alert system. Is involved in preparing the body to respond to threats (fight or flight).
What’s the role of parasympathetic nervous system?
Sometimes referred to ‘rest and digest’ system because it’s role is to relax the body by counteracting the effects of SNS activation.
Describe the hypothalamus?
A small structure in the brain that regulates a lot of body drives, such as hunger, thirst and sex.
Describe the pituitary gland?
Known as the ‘master gland’ due to its role in stimulating other glands such as adrenal glands to produce their own hormones.
What is the fight or flight response?
Helps us react quickly and prepares our body to stand and fight or to run away from the threat.
