Biopsychology - the divisions of the nervous system Flashcards
what is meant by nervous system
The nervous system consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. it communicates using electrical signals
what is meant by central nervous system
The CNS consistis of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions
What is meant by peripheral nervous system
The PNS sends information to the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body.
It consists of the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
What is meant by somatic nervous system
The SNS transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organ to the CNS.
It recieves information from the CNS that directs muscles to act.
what is meant by autonomic nervous system
The ANS transmits information to and from internal bodily organs.
It has 2 main divisions: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.
define autonomic
The ANS is autonomic as the system operates involuntarily (i.e. automatically)
What are the 2 main functions of the nervous system
- To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
- To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.
Describe the catagories of the nervous system
The nervous system consists of the CNS and the PNS.
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord.
The PNS consists of the ANS and the SNS.
The ANS consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
Describe the brain in the central nervous system
The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. The brain’s outer layer is the cerebral cortex which is 3mm thick (this is only found in mammals). The brain is divided into two hemispheres
Describe the Peripheral nervous system and the roles of its subcomponents
The PNS transmits messages, via millions of neurons, to and from the CNS. The PNS is further subdivided into:
* the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses.
* the somatic nervous system (SNS) which governs muscle movement and recieves information from sensory receptors.
What is the role of the Corpus callosum
Allows the 2 hemispheres of the brain to communicate
What is the role of the frontal lobe
is responsible for logical thinking and motor control
What is the role and location of the hippocampus
The hippocampus is a structure in the subcortical area of each hemisphere of the forebrain, associated with memory. It is part of the limbic system, so also involved in motivation, emotion, and learning.
what is the role of the temporal lobe
auditory processing, language, memory/ information retrieval
what is the role of the brain stem
the brain stem regulates basic functions such as breathing. It also sends messages between the brain and the spinal cord
What is the role of the cerebellum
fine motor control, muscle tone, balance
What is the role of the occipital lobe
sight, visual reception and interpretation
What is the role of the parietal lobe
monitors movement and internal and external environments
define subcortical
subcortial is a description of subcortex which is the area underneath the cortex
(not a proper definition for context primarily)
explain visual reception
visual reception is the ability to comprehend the meaning of symbols, words, and pictures, as well as spatial recognition of concrete objects.
explain the role of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
Are both involved in the body’s response to a stressor. Whether the stressor is temporary (riding a rollercoaster) or prolonged (AS exam). The parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its normal state to prevent exhaustion.
Give examples of the actions of the sympathetic nervous system
- dilates pupils
- increases heart rate
- increases breathing rate
- slows down digestion
Give examples of the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system
- constricts pupils
- decreases heart rate
- decreases breathing rate
- speeds up digestion
Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system dilating pupils
pupils dilate in order to let in more light, the person has a clearer view of their surrounding and the potential threat. Enabling the person to make a better decision on how to respond to the threat or stressor.
Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system slowing down digestion
Digestion slows down so blood can be diverted to other areas of the body such as muscles which can use it for fleeing or fighting.
Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system increasing breathing rate
breathing rate increases because the airway muscles are relaxed to improve the delivery of oxygen to your lungs, enabling you to get more oxygen into your bloodstream to get to your muscles to help with fight or flight.
Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system increasing heart rate with the exam being the stressor
Heart rate increases to get more blood around the body to the muscle to help fight or flight or writing lots fast. If the stressor leaves (the exam is finished) then the body returns to normal if this doesn’t happen fast enough the parasympathetic system returns it back to normal.
