Biopsychology - The Nervous System And The Endocrine System

Question 1

What are the two functions of the human nervous system

Answer 1

To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
2. To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.

Question 2

What is the HNS split into

Answer 2

Central Nervous System + Peripheral Nervous System

Question 3

What is the central nervous made up of

Answer 3

The brain and the spinal cord

Question 4

Explain the brain and its functions

Answer 4

• centre of conscious awareness
• cerebral cortex - highly developed
• distinguishes our higher mental functions from animals
• 2 hemispheres

Question 5

What is the spinal cord

Answer 5

Extension of the brain

Responsible for reflex actions

Question 6

What is the peripheral nervous system

Answer 6

Transmits messages to and from CNS
Via Neurons ]

Split into autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system

Question 7

Explain the SNS Somatic Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 7

Voluntary
Controls muscle movement
Receives info from sensory receptors

Question 8

What are sensory receptors

Answer 8

A structure that reacts to a physical stimulus in the environment

Question 9

Explain the autonomic nervous system

Answer 9

Involuntary
• Governs vital functions in the body • Breathing
  • Heart Rate
• Digestion
• Sexual Arousal
• Stress response

Question 10

What is the ANS split into

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is meant by the endocrine system

Answer 11

Bodys Major information systems
Instructs glands to release hormones directly into bloodstream
Hormones carried towards target organs and are used to regulate bodily functions

Question 12

What is a gland

Answer 12

An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones

Question 13

What are hormones

Answer 13

Chemical substances
Circulate blood stream
Affect only target hormones

Question 14

What is called the master gland

Answer 14

Pituitary gland - controls release of hormones from all other glands

Question 15

What is fight of flight system

Answer 15

The way an animal responds when stressed

Body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or flee

Question 16

What is adrenaline

Answer 16

A hormone released by adrenal gland
Part of body’s stress response

Has strong effect on cells of cardiovascular system

Question 17

How is fight or flight actually carried out

Answer 17

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&raquo_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)

Question 18

What two things work together in a stressful event

Answer 18

ANS and endocrine system

Question 19

What are the sympathetic and parasympathetic states

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Explain two glands

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Difference between ANS and SNS

Answer 21

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;