Biopsychology - the nervous system and endocrine

Question 1

define nervous system

Answer 1

consists of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
- communicates using electrical signals

Question 2

define central nervous system

Answer 2

consists of the brain and spinal chord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions

Question 3

define peripheral nervous system

Answer 3

sends information to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to the muscle and glands in the body

Question 4

define somatic nervous system

Answer 4

transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act

Question 5

define autonomic nervous system

Answer 5

transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. It is ‘autonomic’ as the system operates involuntarily.

it has two main divisions, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Question 6

what is the nervous system?

Answer 6

a specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system

Question 7

what is the nervous system based on?

Answer 7

on electrical and chemical signals

Question 8

what is the endocrine system based on?

Answer 8

hormones

Question 9

what are the two main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 9

-to collect, process and respond to information in the environment

• to co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body

Question 10

what are the two subsystems that the nervous system is divided into?

Answer 10

the Central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

Question 11

what is the CNS made up of?

Answer 11

the brain and the spinal chord

Question 12

what is the brain?

Answer 12

the brain is the centre of all conscious awareness

Question 13

how is the brain structured?

Answer 13

the brain’s outer layer , the cerebral cortex is 3mm thick and covers the brin like an orange peel

only found in mammals

Question 14

what is the brain divided into?

Answer 14

two hemispheres

Question 15

what is the spinal chord?

Answer 15

an extension to the brain - it passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS

its also responsible for reflex actions

Question 16

what does the PNS do?

Answer 16

transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the CNS.

Question 17

what is the PNS further subdivided into?

Answer 17

Autonomic nervous system and Somatic nervous system

Question 18

what does the Autonomic nervous system do?

Answer 18

governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion , sexual arousal and stress responses

Question 19

what does the somatic nervous system do?

Answer 19

governs muscle movement and receives information form sensory receptors

Question 20

how does the endocrine system act compared to the nervous system?

Answer 20

the endocrine system acts more slow than the nervous system but has widespread powerful effects

Question 21

how do hormones work?

Answer 21

they are secreted into the bloodstream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone

Question 22

The thyroid gland produces the hormone thyroxine - what does this do?

Answer 22

Affects cells in the heart and so increases heart rate - which in turn affects growth rates

Question 23

Why is the pituitary gland called the ‘master gland’?

Answer 23

Because it controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body

Question 24

How do the endocrine system and autonomic nervous system work?

Answer 24

Often in parallel with one another

Question 25

What happens when a stressor is perceived?

Answer 25

Part of the brain called the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland which triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

Question 26

When a stressor is perceived , what happens to the ANS?

Answer 26

It changes from the normal resting state (parasympathetic state) to the physiologically aroused sympathetic state

Question 27

What gland is adrenaline from?

Answer 27

The adrenal medulla

Question 28

What does adrenaline trigger?

Answer 28

Physiological changes in the body (such as increased heart rate) which creates the physiological arousal necessary for the fight / flight response

Question 29

What is immediate and automatic?

Answer 29

Starts happening in an instant - as soon as threat is detected , this is an acute response and an automatic reaction in the body.

Question 30

What are some sympathetic responses?

Answer 30

Stress, panic, excitement

Question 31

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Answer 31

Once the threat has passed, it returns the body to its resting state

Question 32

How do the sympathetic and the parasympathetic branch of the ANS work together?

Answer 32

The parasympathetic branch of the ANS work in opposition to the sympathies nervous system

The parasympathetic system acts as a brake and reduces activities of the body that were increased by the actions of the sympathetic branch

Sometimes referred to as ‘rest and digest’

Question 33

Define endocrine system

Answer 33

One of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream - these hormones are carried toward target organs in the body

Question 34

Define gland

Answer 34

Organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones

Question 35

Define hormone

Answer 35

Chemical substance that circulates in the bloodstream and only affects target organs

Effects are very powerful

Question 36

Define fight /flight response

Answer 36

The body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or flee

Question 37

Give examples of how the sympathetic state is the opposite to the parasympathetic state?

Answer 37

SS - increases heart rate
PS- decreases heart rate

SS- dialates pupils
PS- constricts pupils

SS- contracts rectum
PS- relaxes rectum