Biopsychology- The nervous system Flashcards
Define the nervous system
A body-wide system of nerve cells that collects information from the world, processes this information and then takes action by directing body organs and muscles via the transmission of electrochemical messages
What are the nervous system’s two main functions?
-To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
-To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What subsections is the nervous system divided into?
-Central nervous system, CNS
-Peripheral nervous system, PNS
Which structures are involved with the central nervous system?
-Brain
-Spinal cord
What is the function of the brain?
Provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological processes
What are the 4 main regions of the brain and what are their functions?
Optical lobe- processes visual information
Temporal lobe- processes auditory information
Parietal lobe -integrates information from the different senses and spatial navigation
Frontal lobe- higher-order functions, planning, abstract reasoning and logic
What is the function of the brain stem?
Connects the brain and spinal cord and controls involuntary processes (eg. breathing)
What is the function of the spinal cord?
-Transfers messages to and from the brain and the rest of the body
-Responsible for simple reflex actions
What makes up the PNS?
All the nerves outside the CNS
What is the function of the PNS?
To relay nerve impulses (chemical messages) from the CNS to the rest of the body and the body back to the CNS
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Maintains communications between the central nervous system and the outside world
What does the somatic nervous system consist of?
-Sensory receptors which carry information to the spinal cord and brain
-Motor pathways which allow the brain to control movement
What does the somatic nervous system control?
-Conscious muscle movement
-Receives information from sensory receptors to control reflexes
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?
-Unconcious vital functions (homeostasis)
What does the autonomic nervous system consist of?
Motor pathways
What are the two components of the autonomic nervous system?
-Sympathetic nervous system
-Parasympathetic nervous system
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Involved in responses that prepare the body for fight/flight, it increases heart rate, blood pressure ect
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Returns the body to its normal resting state once an emergency has passed
Give some examples of body functions which are linked to the sympathetic state
-Increased heart rate
-Increased breathing rate
-Inhibits digestion
-Inhibits salvia production
Give some examples of body functions which are linked to the parasympathetic state
-Decreased heart rate
-Decreased breathing rate
-Stimulates digestion
-Stimulates saliva production
Give a similarity of the brain and spinal cord
The brain and spinal cord both control involuntary process
Give a difference between the brain and spinal cord
-The brain provides a conscious awareness and allows for higher order thinking while the spinal cord allows for simple reflex responses
-Brain consists of multiple regions responsible for different functions whereas the spinal cord has one main function
Give a similarity between the somatic + autonomic and parasympathetic +sympathetic systems
The sympathetic nervous system (fight flight) and somatic nervous system (carry information from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain) respond to external stimuli
Give a difference between the somatic + autonomic and parasympathetic +sympathetic systems
The autonomic nervous system consists of two subcomponents whereas the somatic nervous system only has one
The somatic nervous system has sensory and motor pathways whereas the autonomic nervous system only has motor pathways
The autonomic controls internal organs and glands while the somatic controls muscles and movement
