Biopsychology - The nervous system Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is the human nervous system?

A

A complex network of nerve cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body. Helps all body parts communicate with each other.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the function of the brain?

A

The brain oversees the workings of the body, while its more advanced functions provide us with consciousness and makes us who we are.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the nervous system divided into?

A

Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the central nervous system divided into?

A

Spinal cord
Brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the Peripheral nervous system divided into?

A

Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system divided into?

A

Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the two main function of the CNS?

A

Controls behaviour
Controls the regulation of the body’s physiological processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where does the CNS receive info from in order to control behaviour?

A

From the sensory receptors eyes, ears, skin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the main function of the spinal cord?

A

To relay information between the brain and the rest of the body . Allows the brain to regulate bodily functions such as digestion, breathing and movement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the spinal cord connected to?

A

Connected to different parts of the body by pairs of spinal nerves. These connect with specific muscles and glands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does the spinal cord contain which allows us to perform simple reflexes without involvement from the brain?

A

The spinal cord contains circuits of nerve cells. Simple reflexes could be pulling your hand away from something hot.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What happens if the spinal cord is damaged?

A

Areas supplied by spinal nerves below the damaged site will be cut off from the brain and will stop functioning.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What areas are the brain divided into?

A

The cerebrum
Cerebellum
Diencephalon
Brain stem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the largest part of the brain?

A

The cerebrum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the frontal lobe involved in?

A

Thought and production of speech

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the occipital lobe involved in?

A

Processing of visual images

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the cerebrum split into?

A

Straight down the middle into two halves called cerebral hemispheres. Each hemisphere has specialised functions and the two communicated through the corpus callosum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Where is the cerebellum

A

Sits beneath the back of the cerebrum

19
Q

What is the cerebellum involved in?

A

Controlling a person’s motor skills and balance, coordinating the muscles to allow precise movements

20
Q

What can abnormalities in the cerebellum cause?

A

Speech and motor problems and epilepsy

21
Q

Where is the diencephalon?

A

Lies beneath the cerebrum and on top of the brain stem

22
Q

What does the diencephalon contain?

A

The thalamus and hypothalumus

23
Q

What is the function of the thalamus?

A

Acts as a relay station for nerve impulses coming from the senses, providing a route for them to follow to the part of the brain where they can be processed.

24
Q

What is the function of the hypothalumus?

A
  • Regulation of body temperature, hunger and thirst.
  • Acts as a link between the endocrine system and the nervous system
  • Controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
25
Q

What is the brain stem responsible for?

A

Responsible for regulating the automatic functions that are essential for life. Breathing, heart beat, swallowing.

26
Q

What travels through the brain stem?

A

Motor and sensory neurons travel through the brain stem. This allows impulses to pass between the brain and spinal cord.

27
Q

What makes up the peripheral nervous system?

A

All the nerves outside the CNS

28
Q

What is the main function of the peripheral nervous system?

A

To relay nerve impulses from the CNS to the rest of the body and from the body back to the CNS.

29
Q

What is the somatic nervous system made up of?

A

Sensory and motor neurons

30
Q

Where do sensory neurons relay messages to?

A

CNS

31
Q

Where do motor neurons relay information from?

A

Relays information from the CNS and relays it to other areas of the body

32
Q

What type of actions does the autonomic system regulate?

A

Involuntary action such as digestion and heart beat

33
Q

What neurotransmitter does the sympathetic division use?

A

noradrenaline which has stimulating effects

34
Q

What neurotransmitter does the parasympathetic division use?

A

acteylcholine, which has inhibiting effects

35
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system involved in?

A

Responses that help us to deal with emergencies such as increasing heart rate and blood pressure and dilating blood vessels in the muscles.

36
Q

Where do neurons from the SNS travel to?

A

Virtually every organ and gland within the body, preparing the body for the rapid action necessary when the individual is under threat.

37
Q

What function does the parasympathetic nervous system have?

A

The PNS slows the heatbeat down and reduces blood pressure. Digestion begins again under PNS influence . ‘Rest and digest’

38
Q

KT= What is the autonomic nervous system?

A

Governs the brain’s involuntary activities and is self-regulating. It is divided into the sympathetic branch and the parasympathetic branch.

39
Q

KT = Brain

A

The part of the CNS that is responsible for coordinating sensation, intellectual and nervous activity

40
Q

KT - Central nervous system

A

Made up of the brain and spinal cord, it receives information from the senses and controls the body’s responses

41
Q

KT = Peripheral nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord

42
Q

KT = Somatic nervous system

A

The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for carrying sensory and motor information to and from the central nervous system

43
Q

KT = Spinal cord

A

A bundle of nerve fibres enclosed within the spinal column which connects nearly all parts of the body with the brain.