Biopsychology - The Nervous System + The Endocrine System Flashcards
Nervous System
a specialised network of cells that is our body’s primary communication system => based on chemical + electrical signals
Endocrine system
a communication system based on glands + hormones
Purpose of Nervous system
Collects, process + respond to info in the environment
Coordinates the working of different organs+ cells in the body
=> consists of 2 systems - Central (CNS) and Peripheral (PNS)
Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Brain => centre of conscious awareness
- Spinal cord => extension of brain + responsible for reflex actions
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Transmits messages via neurons to + from CNS
- Divided into 2 - Autonomic (ANS) + Somatic (SNS)
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- Governs vital functions in body e.g breathing, heart rate etc.=> Normal resting state of ANS = Parasympathetic state
=> Physiologically aroused (stressors) = Sympathetic state
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Controls muscle movement + recieves information from sensory receptors
How Endocrine System works
- Controls + regulates vital functions
=> glands e.g. thyroid gland produce hormones - secrete into blood + affect any cell in body that has a receptor
=> major endocrine gland is pituitary gland (master gland) controls release of hormones from all other glands
Fight or Flight Response
the way an animal or human responds when stressed in readiness to fight or run from an aggressor
The process of fight or flight
(1) Stressor perceived => ANS changes from parasympathetic to sympathetic state
(2) Adrenal medulla releases adrenaline causing increased heart + breathing rate, dilated pupils + other physiological changes
(3) Pituitary gland releases ATCH causing adrenal cortex => cortisol
(4) When threat passed => ANS returns to resting state
Glands
An organ in the body that secretes hormones
Hormones
Chemical substances that circulate blood stream and only affect target organs => produced in large quatities
