Biopsychology, The Nervous System Flashcards
1
Q
What 2 parts is the nervous system divided into?
A
CNS & PNS
2
Q
What does the CNS consist of?
A
brain & spinal cord
3
Q
outline the PNS
A
- carries messages to and from CNS
- consists of somatic NS & autonomic NS
4
Q
what is the somatic nervous system?
A
- responsible for sensory & motor messages to & from spinal cord
5
Q
what is the autonomic nervous system?
A
- responsible for unconscious, vital functions e.g breathing, heart rate, digestion, circulation, sexual arousal…
- 2 main parts: Sympathetic NS & Parasympathetic NS
6
Q
what is the Sympathetic Nervous System?
A
- it increases activity in the body during ‘fight or flight’
7
Q
what is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
A
- decreases activity in the body, return to ‘resting’ state
8
Q
How does the Sympathetic Nervous System affect different organs?
A
- Heart: increases heart rate
- Eye: dilates pupils
- Liver: increases glucose production
- Salivary glands: inhibits saliva production
- Lungs: dilates bronchi
- Gut: slows digestion
- Bladder: relaxes, stimulates urination
9
Q
How does the Parasympathetic Nervous System affect different organs?
A
- Heart: decreases heart rate
- Eye: constricts pupils
- Liver: decreases glucose production
- Salivary glands: increases saliva production
- Lungs: constricts bronchi
- Gut: increases digestion
- Bladder: contracts, inhibits urination
10
Q
what are the 3 types of neurons?
A
- sensory
- motor
- relay
11
Q
outline sensory neurons
A
- send messages to brain regarding senses, from PNS to CNS
- unipolar
- long dendrites, short axons
12
Q
outline motor neurons
A
- carry signals from CNS toward organs/glands/muscles
- multipolar
- short dendrites, long axons
13
Q
outline relay neurons
A
- connect sensory neurones to motor
- multipolar
- short dendrites, short axons
14
Q
what are neurotransmitters?
A
- chemical messengers that diffuse across synapse to next neuron
- has a specific molecular structure that fits perfectly to its post-synaptic receptor site
- excitedly (positive charge)or inhibitory effect (negative charge) on neuron
15
Q
outline synaptic transmission
A
- signals carried by neurones are transmitted electrically whilst signals between neurons are transmitted chemically
- when an electrical impulse reaches the end of an axon, the presynaptic terminal, neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles
- neurotransmitters diffuse across synaptic cleft, bind with postsynaptic receptor sites (dendrites of next neuron) and chemical is converted back into electrical impulse
