Biopsycology Flashcards
What does the CNS consist of
The brain and the spina chord
What is the difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic system?
Parasympathetic is normal conditions
Sympathetic is threatening conditions
What is the fight or flight response?
When under threat the bodies response is to prepare the body for action through things such as raising heart rate in order to pump more blood
What is the SAM pathway
Amygdala sends signal to hypothalamus
Hypothalamus sends electrical signal through the sympathetic ganglia to the adrenal medulla causing the release of adrenaline
The adrenaline with follow a pathway to the receptors of the heart
The adrenaline attaches to the heart causing it to beat faster
This triggers the flight or flight response
What happens during the fight or flight response?
Digestion is halted, pupils dilate, saliva is inhibited, heart rate rises
What it the PAS pathway?
Signal sent through hormones after the SAM is in effect
The hypothalamus releases CRF to the pituitary gland
The pituitary gland releases ACTH
This travels to the adrenal cortex and attaches to its receptors
Adrenal glands release cortisol and this returns the body to normal
What does she the endocrine system do?
It is separate from the NS however they both work together to regulate the body in homeostasis. The endocrine system is slower than the NS however it has very widespread and powerful effects through the use of hormones.
How do the hormones travel?
Red blood cells
How hormones react?
They only react with cells that have enough of the right receptors in order to create a physiological change
What will an imbalance of hormones cause?
Mental disorders
What are the two main parts of the NS?
The CNS and PNS
What is the CNS
Brain and Spinal chord
Brain is centre of consciousness
The cerebral cortex allows for higher thinking
The spinal chord is an extension of the brain
The spinal chord is responsible for reflex actions
The CNS passes information to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS
What is the PNS
Sends information to the CNS through neurones
Two main parts are the ANS and SNS from the rest of the body
What is the SNS
Voluntary movement and receives information from sensory receptors
What is the ANS
Controls vital functions such as heartbeat and blinking
