Biopsychology : The Nervous System

Question 1

what’s the nervous system?

Answer 1

the body’s main communication system - fast acting. Complex network of specialised nerve cells/ neurones which pass info around the body using electrical signals and chemicals (neurotransmitters)

Question 2

The nervous system - diagram

Answer 2

⇙ Human NS ⇘
⇙ Central NS ⇘ ⇙ Peripheral NS ⇘
Brain Spinal cord ⇙ Automatic NS ⇘ Somatic NS
Sympathetic Parasympathetic
division division

Question 3

Central Nervous System - made up of?

Answer 3

the brain and spinal chord, the centre of conscious awareness

Question 4

Central Nervous System - overall function

Answer 4

Coordinates incoming sensory info and sends instructions to other parts of nervous system - it’s our store of knowedge and habits → central to maintaining life.

Question 5

Central Nervous System - functions

Answer 5

• basic functions: regulating body temp, heart rate, breathing, etc
• language: production + understanding
• coordinating movement
• coding sensory data from sensory organs
• problem solving + planning

Question 6

Central Nervous System - outer layer of the brain

Answer 6

cerebral cortex (3mm) → highly developed in humans, distinguishes our higher mental functions from other animals. - - ‘Grey matter’ made up of cell bodies
- ‘White matter’ made up of axons forming fibre tracts

Question 7

Central Nervous System - the spinal cord

Answer 7

ensures signals from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body via the PNS. It’s an extension of the brain, responsible for reflex actions

Question 8

Peripheral Nervous System - made up of?

Answer 8

Nerve fibres (axons) which are connected to the CNS.

Question 9

Peripheral Nervous System - what is it?

Answer 9

It sends info to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body

Question 10

Somatic Nervous System - what is it?

Answer 10

Controls conscious movement as it sends instructions from the CNS to effectors in muscles/ glands and transmits info from receptor cells in sense organs to the CNS (takes info from external environment)

Question 11

Somatic Nervous System - made up of?

Answer 11

Myelinated neurons – to act quickly

Question 12

Somatic Nervous System - what’s a reflex arc?

Answer 12

• Stimulus Detection: A sensory receptor detects a stimulus.
• Sensory Neuron Activation: The sensory receptor sends an electrical impulse along a sensory neuron towards the CNS, typically through the spinal cord.
• Relay Neuron: In the spinal cord, the impulse reaches an integration center. This is a synapse between the sensory neuron and a motor neuron or an interneuron, which then relays the signal.
• Motor Neuron Activation: The impulse is transmitted to a motor neuron. The motor neuron carries the signal away from the CNS to an effector.
• Effector Response: The effector, which is usually a muscle or gland, produces a response.

Question 13

Automatic Nervous System - what is it?

Answer 13

Responsible for the control of involuntary bodily functions (breathing, heartbeat)

Question 14

Automatic Nervous System - where does it transmit info to/ from?

Answer 14

To and from internal bodily organs (does not need sensory pathways)

Question 15

automatic Nervous System - made up of?

Answer 15

Unmyelinated nerve fibres – acts slowly

Question 16

Automatic Nervous System - two divisions

Answer 16

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

Question 17

Automatic Nervous System - sympathetic division

Answer 17

Works with the endocrine system (comprising glands & hormones) to get the body prepared for fight or flight

Question 18

Automatic Nervous System - parasympathetic division

Answer 18

Works with endocrine system to return the body to its normal resting state (rest and digest)