Biopsychology - The Nervous System And The Endocrine System Flashcards
What are the two functions of the human nervous system
To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
2. To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.
What is the HNS split into
Central Nervous System + Peripheral Nervous System
What is the central nervous made up of
The brain and the spinal cord
Explain the brain and its functions
- centre of conscious awareness
- cerebral cortex - highly developed
- distinguishes our higher mental functions from animals
- 2 hemispheres
What is the spinal cord
Extension of the brain
Responsible for reflex actions
What is the peripheral nervous system
Transmits messages to and from CNS
Via Neurons ]
Split into autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Explain the SNS Somatic Nervous System (PNS)
Voluntary
Controls muscle movement
Receives info from sensory receptors
What are sensory receptors
A structure that reacts to a physical stimulus in the environment
Explain the autonomic nervous system
Involuntary • Governs vital functions in the body • Breathing • Heart Rate • Digestion • Sexual Arousal • Stress response
What is the ANS split into
Sympathetic Nervous System
• Primary process is respond to perceived threatto stimulate fight or flight process
• Constantly active at a basic level
Parasympathetic Nervous System
• The role of the parasympathetic nervous system is to relax the body, and return us to our ‘normal’ resting state by conserving energy
What is meant by the endocrine system
Bodys Major information systems
Instructs glands to release hormones directly into bloodstream
Hormones carried towards target organs and are used to regulate bodily functions
What is a gland
An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones
What are hormones
Chemical substances
Circulate blood stream
Affect only target hormones
What is called the master gland
Pituitary gland - controls release of hormones from all other glands
What is fight of flight system
The way an animal responds when stressed
Body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or flee
What is adrenaline
A hormone released by adrenal gland
Part of body’s stress response
Has strong effect on cells of cardiovascular system
How is fight or flight actually carried out
Stressor perceived
Fight or Flight
2.Hypothalamus (part of the brain) triggers the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
3.The ANS changes from resting state to aroused (Parasympathetic»_space;> Sympathetic)
4.Stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adrenal gland into the bloodstream
5.Adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body eg. Increased heart rate.
6.The threat passes
7.The parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state (rest and digest)
What two things work together in a stressful event
ANS and endocrine system
What are the sympathetic and parasympathetic states
Increases heart rate / breathing rate Dilates pupils Inhibits digestion Inhibits saliva Contracts rectum - sympathetic
Decreases heart rate/breathing rate Pupils constrict Stimulates digestion Stimulates saliva Relaxes rectum
Explain two glands
adrenal glands: secretes adrenaline / controls the sympathetic division in the fight or flight response
• pituitary gland: causes other glands to secrete their hormones or directly produces effects
Difference between ANS and SNS
the ANS controls internal organs and glands of the body while the SNS controls skeletal muscle, movement etc;
the SNS has sensory and motor pathways, while the ANS is purely motor;
