Biopsychology: The Nervous System + The Endocrine System Flashcards
What are the two main functions of the nervous system?
- To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
- To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What are the two sub - systems of the nervous system?
- Central nervous system
- Peripheral nervous system
How is the brain structured?
The brain is divided into two hemispheres
What are the two main components of the CNS?
The brain and the spinal cord
What is the role of the brain in the nervous system?
The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness, with a highly developed cerebral cortex that identifies human higher mental functions
What are the three main roles of the spinal cord?
- Pass messages to and from the brain
- Connect nerves to the peripheral nervous system
- Be responsible for reflex actions, pull a hand away from a hot surface
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?
To transmit messages through millions of neurons to and from the central nervour system
What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system and what are their functions?
- Autonomic nervous system which governs vital functions such as breathing and sexual arousal
- Somatic nervous system which controls muscle movement and receives sensory information from receptors
What is the endocrine system?
A network of glands that works alongside the nervous system to control vital function in the body
How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system?
It acts more slowly but has widespread and powerful effects
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream that affect any cell with a receptor for that hormone
How do hormones affect the body?
They influence cells in multiple organs, leading to diverse and powerful responses
What hormone does the thyroid gland produce and what effects does this hormone have?
Thyroxine, which increases heart and metabolic rate
Where is the pituitary gland located?
Why is it referred to as the master gland?
In the brain
It is referred to as the master gland ebcause it cotnrols the release of hormones from all other endocirne gladns in the body
How do the endocrine system and autonomic nervous system work together?
They operate in parallel to prepare the body for action
What part of the brain triggers the stress response?
The hypothalamus
What happens when a stressor is perceived?
The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
What hormone is released in response to stress and from where?
Adrenaline, release from the adrenal medulla
What does the autonomic shift from and to during stress?
From its normal resting state (parasympathetic) to the psychologically aroused sympathetic state
What are physiological effects of adrenaline? (5 pts = 3MIN)
Increased heart rate
Increased breathing rate
Inhibited digestion
Dilated pupils
Increased glucose release for energy
What happens once stressor has passed?
The parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state
Why is the response called ‘acute?
This is because it happens instantly and automatically upon detecting a threat
How does the parasympathetic nervous system oppose the sympathetic system?
It reduces the heightened activity caused by the flight or fight response, acting as a brake
