Biopsychology: The endocrine system Flashcards
What does the endocrine system work alongside and do?
Works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body.
Does the endocrine system work faster or slower than the nervous system and why?
Slower- as hormones must travel through the bloodstream
What are glands?
An organ in the body that synthesis substances such as hormones
What are the different types of glands, what hormone do they produce and what are they responsible for?
Pituitary gland= ‘master gland’ located in the brain & controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body
Thyroid gland= Produces thyroxine which affects the cells in the heart (increases heart rate & metabolic rates)
Adrenal gland= Produces the stress hormone adrenaline, which triggers physiological changes in the body (e.g. increased heart rate)
Where are hormones secreted and what do they affect?
They are secreted into the bloodstream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone
What other system does the endocrine system work parallel with? And when especially?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS)
- especially during a stressful event
What is the autonomic nervous system’s resting state? and what does it do?
The parasympathetic state
- controls the body’s ability to relax
- The rest and digest response
What is the autonomic nervous system’s aroused state? and what does it do?
The sympathetic state
- controls your fight or flight response
What is the fight or flight response?
- the way an animal responds when stressed
- the body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness
- Either to fight an aggressor, or flee
Fight of Flight:
1. What happens when a stressor is received?
2. What happens after the stressor is received?
3. What does the ANS change from?
- The hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland
- This triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
- The ANS changes from its normal resting state (parasympathetic state) to the physiologically aroused sympathetic state
What 6 biological changes are associated with the sympathetic response?
- Increased heart rate
- Increased breathing rate
- Dilated pupils
- Inhibited digestion
- Inhibited saliva production
- Contracted rectum
What 6 biological changes are associated with the sympathetic response?
- Decreased heart rate
- Decreased breathing rate
- Constricted pupils
- Stimulated digestion
- Stimulated saliva production
- Relaxes rectum
What hormone is necessary for the fight or flight response?
Adrenaline
When does the fight or flight response happen?
When a threat is detected
What happens when the treat has passed?
The parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state
