Biopsychology- The nervous system & the endocrine system Flashcards
What is the human nervous system?
Is a specialised network of cells which has 2 main functions
1) To collect, process & respond to information in the enviroment
2) To co-ordinate the working of different organs & cells in the body
What is the human nervous systems 2 subdivisions?
- Central Nervous system (CNS)
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What is the CNS?
The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord and manages everything that your body does, from your thoughts and feelings to your movements.
What does the Brain do in the CNS?
Where all concious and unconcious processing occurs
What does the Spinal cord do in the CNS?
Recieves & transmits information & can perform basic motor reflexes
What is the PNS?
A body wide network of messenger neurons that carries messages to and from the central nervous system
And it contains the somatic & autonomic nervous systems
What does the somatic nervous system do (SNS)
A voluntary system ( under concious control) that controls skeletal muscles for movement
What does the autonomic nervous systems do (ANS) and what are its subdivisions?
An involuntary system that controls actions of internal organs & glands
It also consists of Sympathetic & parasympthetic subdivisions
What does the Sympathetic branch ( ANS) do?
Releases noradrenaline
Activates in a stress response (Flight or fight) and increases bodily activities e.g.
- Increase heart rate
- increase breathing rate
- Increase sweat
- Inhibits digestion
What does the parasympathetic
branch (ANS) do?
Releases acetylcholine
Activates in rest & digest ( decreases bodily activities) e.g.
Decrease heart rate
Lowers breathing rate
stimulates digestion
What is homeostasis?
Regulation of the internal enviroment where there is a balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
What is the endocrine system?
Collections of glands aroundf the body that regulate bodily functions, growth and psychological factors by releasing hormones
What does the pituatary gland do?
Also known as the master gland
Controls the release of hormones from other glands
e.g. ACTH which is released in the flight or fight response
What does the thyroid gland do?
Produces Thyroxine which influences the rate of metabolism in the body
What does the pineal gland do?
Produces melatonin which helps regulate the sleep cycle
