biopsychology - nervous system n endocrine system. Flashcards
What is meant by the nervous system?
A specialised network of cells in the human body that is our primary internal communication system.
What do biological psychologists believe about the nervous system?
Behaviour and experiences are caused by activity in the nervous sytem.
Why is the nervous system important?
Allows us to coordinate our actions and respond to change in our environment.
What are the 2 main parts of the nervous system?
- the central nervous system (CNS).
- the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What are the functions of the nervous system.
- to collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
- to coordinate the working different organs and cells.
- send relay messages from the brain to the body.
What is the central nervous system (CNS) divided into?
- the brain.
- the spinal cord.
What is the function of the brain?
Centre of all conscious awareness and involved in all psychological processes needed for human function and survival.
What is the brain made up of?
The cerebral cortex which is 3mm thick and covers the brain.
Why is the human brain separate from those of animals?
Human brain is highly developed.
How many hemispheres is the brain divided into?
2.
What is the function of the spinal cord?
- relays information from the brain to the rest of the body.
- passes messages to and from the brain.
- connects nerves to the PNS.
What is the spinal cord made up of?
Spinal nerves which are connected to certain muscles and glands throughout the body.
What does the spinal cord contain?
A circuit of nerve cells which enables us to perform simple reflexes without direct involvement of the brain.
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
To send relay nerve impulses from the CNS to the body and from the body back to the CNS.
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) divided into?
- somatic nervous system.
- autonomic nervous system.
What are the function of the somatic nervous system?
- to control voluntary muscle movement.
- receive information from sensory receptors.
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestions, sexual arousal and stress responses.
What is the autonomic nervous system divided into?
- sympathetic nervous system.
- parasympathetic nervous system.
[usually antagonist where they work in opposition to each other]
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Create responses that help us deal with emergences such as fight or flight.
How does the sympathetic nervous system work?
Neurons travel to every organ and gland preparing the body for rapid action when an individual is under threat.
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Relaxes the individual once the emergency has passed.
How does the parasympathetic nervous system work?
Slows down the heartbeat and reduces blood pressure.
What happens during the sympathetic state?
- increased heart rate.
- increased breathing rate.
- dilated pupils.
- inhabitation of digestion.
- inhabitation of saliva production.
What happens during the parasympathetic state?
- decreased heart rate.
- decreased breathing rate.
- constrict pupils.
- stimulation of digestion.
- stimulation of saliva production.
What is meant by the endocrine system?
- glands which produce hormones.
- released into the bloodstream to the target organs.
- each hormone has a specific function.
What glands are a part of the endocrine system?
- adrenal gland.
- ovary.
- pancreas.
- pituitary gland.
- thyroid gland.
- testes.
What does the adrenal gland release?
Adrenalin.
What does the pituitary gland release?
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH).
What does the thyroid gland release?
Thyroxine.
What does the ovary release?
Oestrogen.
What does the pancreas release?
Insulin.
What does the testes release?
Testosterone.
What does the adrenal gland target?
Vital organs such as the liver and heart.
What does the putuitary gland target?
The kidney.
What does the thyroid gland target?
The liver and kidneys.
What does the ovary target?
The uterus.
What does the pancreas target?
The liver.
What does the testes target?
The male reproductive organs.
What is the function of the adrenal gland?
Prepares the body for action - fight or flight.
What are the functions of the pituitary gland?
- controls the blood water level by triggering uptake of water and producing urine by kidney.
- produces hormones and releases hormones from other glands which travel to the bloodstream to their specific target and stimulates these glands to produce other hormones.
What is the function of the thyroid gland?
Helps control the rate of metabolism.
What is the function of the ovary?
Controls puberty and the menstrual cycle in females.
What is the function of the pancreas?
Controls blood sugar levels.
What is the function of the testes?
Controls puberty in males and production of sperm.
What is the pituitary gland also known as?
The master gland.
How is the pituitary gland controlled?
By the hypothalamus which uses information that is received to help regulate its functions.
What is meant by hormones?
A chemical substance which is circulated in the bloodstream and only affects target organs.
How are hormones produced?
Hypothalamus sends signal to the pituitary gland ⟶ pituitary gland secretes a ‘stimulating hormone’ ⟶ target gland releases its hormone ⟶ levels of the target gland’s hormone in the bloodstream increase ⟶ hypothalamus stops its signal ⟶ pituitary gland stops secreting a ‘stimulating hormone’ ⟶ target gland stops releasing hormone.
[in large quantities but disappear quickly]
What is the process when in fight or flight?
The endocrine system and ANS work together ⟶ stressful event such as exams would lead to the hypothalamus triggering sympathetic branch of the ANS ⟶ ANS changes from the resting state (parasympathetic) to the aroused state (sympathetic) ⟶ the pituitary gland releases ACTH causing the adrenal glands to release adrenaline into the bloodstream ⟶ adrenaline causes physiological changes such as increased heart rate which causes the fight or flight response ⟶ when stressful event is over the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in ⟶ body reaches resting state such as the slowing down of the heart rate.
