Biopsychology - the divisions of the nervous system

Question 1

what is meant by nervous system

Answer 1

The nervous system consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. it communicates using electrical signals

Question 2

what is meant by central nervous system

Answer 2

The CNS consistis of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions

Question 3

What is meant by peripheral nervous system

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is meant by somatic nervous system

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

what is meant by autonomic nervous system

Answer 5

The ANS transmits information to and from internal bodily organs.
It has 2 main divisions: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.

Question 6

define autonomic

Answer 6

The ANS is autonomic as the system operates involuntarily (i.e. automatically)

Question 7

What are the 2 main functions of the nervous system

Answer 7

1. To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
2. To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.

Question 8

Describe the catagories of the nervous system

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Describe the brain in the central nervous system

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Describe the Peripheral nervous system and the roles of its subcomponents

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What is the role of the Corpus callosum

Answer 11

Allows the 2 hemispheres of the brain to communicate

Question 12

What is the role of the frontal lobe

Answer 12

is responsible for logical thinking and motor control

Question 13

What is the role and location of the hippocampus

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

what is the role of the temporal lobe

Answer 14

auditory processing, language, memory/ information retrieval

Question 15

what is the role of the brain stem

Answer 15

the brain stem regulates basic functions such as breathing. It also sends messages between the brain and the spinal cord

Question 16

What is the role of the cerebellum

Answer 16

fine motor control, muscle tone, balance

Question 17

What is the role of the occipital lobe

Answer 17

sight, visual reception and interpretation

Question 18

What is the role of the parietal lobe

Answer 18

monitors movement and internal and external environments

Question 19

define subcortical

Answer 19

subcortial is a description of subcortex which is the area underneath the cortex

(not a proper definition for context primarily)

Question 20

explain visual reception

Answer 20

visual reception is the ability to comprehend the meaning of symbols, words, and pictures, as well as spatial recognition of concrete objects.

Question 21

explain the role of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Give examples of the actions of the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 22

• dilates pupils
• increases heart rate
• increases breathing rate
• slows down digestion

Question 23

Give examples of the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 23

• constricts pupils
• decreases heart rate
• decreases breathing rate
• speeds up digestion

Question 24

Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system dilating pupils

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system slowing down digestion

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system increasing breathing rate

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Explain the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system increasing heart rate with the exam being the stressor

Answer 27

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.