biopsychology - year 1 content Flashcards
what are the 2 main branches called of the nervous system - what do they consist of
the central nervous system (brain + spinal chord)
the peripheral nervous system (autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system)
what is the autonomic nervous system composed of
the sympathetic branch (fight/flight)
parasympathetic branch (rest/digest)
what is the somatic nervous system composed of
sensory neurons
motor neurons
governs muscle movement + recieves info from sensory receptors.
what is the role of the nervous system
to respond to the environment with appropriate reactions
to co-ordinate the workings of different organs in the body
what is the role of the brain
the centre of conscious and unconscious functioning.
what is the role of the spinal chord
passes messages to and from the brain, connects nerves to the PNS and responsible for reflex actions
what is the function of the endocrine system
a complex network of glands and organs. It uses hormones to control and coordinate your body’s metabolism, energy level, reproduction ect.
where is the pituitary gland located, what is its function
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
where is the adrenal medulla found, what is it’s function?
located above the kidney’s, released adrenaline which triggers physiological changes in body necessary for fight/flight response.
what is the pinneal gland responsible for
involved in sleep wake cycle - releases melatonin in absence of light, serotonin in excess of light.
what are some physiological changes associated with the sympathetic response
increased heart rate + breathing rate. Pupils dilate, inhibited digestion and saliva production.
what is the structure and function of sensory neurons
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
what is the structure and function of relay neurons
found in the brain, connect sensory neurons to motor neurons + other relay neurons.
short dendrites, short axons
what is the structure and function of motor neurons
connect CNS to effectors eg. muscles and glands. short dendrites long axons.
where are sensory neurons mainly found
located outisde of the ANS in the PNS in clusters known as Ganglia.
what is the charge of the inside of the cell when a neuron is in it’s resting state
negative.
outline the process of synaptic transmission
-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.
why can direction of chemical travel only be in one way
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.
give an example of a neurotransmitter than has an inhabitory effect
serotonin
GABA
glycine
give an example of a neurotransmitter with an excitatory effect
adrenaline
glutamate
outline what happens to stimulate a fight/flight response.
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.
