BIOPSYCHOLOGY- The Nervous System Flashcards
What does the nervous system do ?
Controls the mind and body by taking in info and coordinating functions.
What are the two parts the nervous system is divided into?
CNS - central nervous system
PNS - Peripheral nervous system
What is the CNS and what is it made of ?
Controls conscious psychological processes
- Brain
- Spinal cord
What does the brain do (CNS)
- Controls higher psychological processes (thinking, behaviour)
- Regulates body due to info from PNS
What does the spinal cord (CNS) do ?
- Transmits info between the brain and PNS
- Control unconscious movements - reflexes
What is the PNS made up of ?
Autonomic and Somatic systems
What does the PNS do ?
- Transmits info between the CNS and external organs
What does the Autonomic system do ?
Transmits info between organs and CNS, responsible for INVOLUNTARY activities - heart rate
What does the Somatic system do ?
Transmits info between senses and CNS, directs VOLUNTARY movement - walking
What does the Autonomic system further divide into?
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic functions
What does the sympathetic function (autonomic) do ?
Increases bodily functions to prepare for fight or flight
What does the parasympathetic function do?
Decreases bodily functions to conserve energy (calm and rest)
What are neurons ?
- main components of the nervous system
What is the general structure of a neuron ? (How does info travel)
dendrites (receive signals)
the signal is carries toward cell body, containing nucleus
signal travels down axon (myelinated) towards axon terminal
terminal dendrites at end of axon pass on electrical signal to next neuron
What are the gaps separating
