biopsychology - year 1 content

Question 1

what are the 2 main branches called of the nervous system - what do they consist of

Answer 1

the central nervous system (brain + spinal chord)

the peripheral nervous system (autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system)

Question 2

what is the autonomic nervous system composed of

Answer 2

the sympathetic branch (fight/flight)

parasympathetic branch (rest/digest)

Question 3

what is the somatic nervous system composed of

Answer 3

sensory neurons

motor neurons

governs muscle movement + recieves info from sensory receptors.

Question 4

what is the role of the nervous system

Answer 4

to respond to the environment with appropriate reactions

to co-ordinate the workings of different organs in the body

Question 5

what is the role of the brain

Answer 5

the centre of conscious and unconscious functioning.

Question 6

what is the role of the spinal chord

Answer 6

passes messages to and from the brain, connects nerves to the PNS and responsible for reflex actions

Question 7

what is the function of the endocrine system

Answer 7

a complex network of glands and organs. It uses hormones to control and coordinate your body’s metabolism, energy level, reproduction ect.

Question 8

where is the pituitary gland located, what is its function

Answer 8

located in the brain - recieves information from hypothalamus. known as the mastery gland as can stimulate reactions in other glands. involved in secretion of cortisol

Question 9

where is the adrenal medulla found, what is it’s function?

Answer 9

located above the kidney’s, released adrenaline which triggers physiological changes in body necessary for fight/flight response.

Question 10

what is the pinneal gland responsible for

Answer 10

involved in sleep wake cycle - releases melatonin in absence of light, serotonin in excess of light.

Question 11

what are some physiological changes associated with the sympathetic response

Answer 11

increased heart rate + breathing rate. Pupils dilate, inhibited digestion and saliva production.

Question 12

what is the structure and function of sensory neurons

Answer 12

found in receptors such as eyes, ears, skin ect. carries nerve impulses to spinal chord and brain.
long dendrites, short axon, cell body in middle

Question 13

what is the structure and function of relay neurons

Answer 13

found in the brain, connect sensory neurons to motor neurons + other relay neurons.
short dendrites, short axons

Question 14

what is the structure and function of motor neurons

Answer 14

connect CNS to effectors eg. muscles and glands. short dendrites long axons.

Question 15

where are sensory neurons mainly found

Answer 15

located outisde of the ANS in the PNS in clusters known as Ganglia.

Question 16

what is the charge of the inside of the cell when a neuron is in it’s resting state

Answer 16

negative.

Question 17

outline the process of synaptic transmission

Answer 17

-neuron becomes stimulated, inside of the cell becomes positively charged,
-an action potential occurs.
- Action potential travels down the axon.
-When action potential reaches end of the neuron this causes secretory vesicles to release neurotransmitters into the synapse
neurotransmitters diffuse across synapse and bind to complimentary receptors on post synaptic neuron.
process of summation occurs
if more excitatory then action potential is triggered in post synaptic neuron.

Question 18

why can direction of chemical travel only be in one way

Answer 18

vesicles containing neurotransmitters are only found on pre synaptic neuron.

neurotransmitters can only diffuse from high conc. to low conc.

complimentary receptors are only found on the post synaptic neuron.

Question 19

give an example of a neurotransmitter than has an inhabitory effect

Answer 19

serotonin
GABA
glycine

Question 20

give an example of a neurotransmitter with an excitatory effect

Answer 20

adrenaline
glutamate

Question 21

outline what happens to stimulate a fight/flight response.

Answer 21

when a stress response is triggered the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland. Pitutary gland secretes cortisol (stress hormone) and acts on the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline which is responsible for the physiological changes in the fight/flight response. ANS changes from its normal resting state (parasympathetic) to the physiologically around sympathetic state.