biospychology- nervous system and endocrine

Question 1

what is the nervous system?

Answer 1

specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system. it is based on electrical and chemical systems

Question 2

what are the two main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

collect, process and respond to information in the environment.

to co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.

Question 3

what are the two subdivisions of the nervous system?

Answer 3

central nervous system (cns)
peripheral nervous system (pns)

Question 4

what is the cns made up of ?

Answer 4

brain and spinal cord

Question 5

what is the function + structure of the brain?

Answer 5

its the centre of all conscious awareness.

outer layer
(cerebral cortex) is 3mm thick.
brain is divided into two hemispheres

Question 6

whats the function of the spinal cord?

Answer 6

spinal cord is an extension of the brain, passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the pns. is also responsible for reflex actions.

Question 7

whats the function of the pns ?

Answer 7

transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the central nervous stystem

Question 8

what are the two subdivisions of the pns and their functions ?

Answer 8

autonomic ns (ANS) -governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heartrate, digestion and stress response.
somatic ns (SNS) - governs muscle movement and receives information from sensory recpetors

Question 9

whats the function of the endocrine system?

Answer 9

works along side the ns, to control vital functions in the body. endocrine system acts more slowly but has a vey widespread and powerful effect. various glands in the body produce hormones, which are secreted into the blood stream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that specific hormone. most hormones effect cells in more than one organ.

Question 10

what is the pituitary gland ?

Answer 10

its the key endocrine gland, can be known as the ‘master gland’
it controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body.

Question 11

wha are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system + functions?

Answer 11

parasympathetic state- resting state
sympathetic state- carries signals related to your fight or flight response.

Question 12

explain the process of fight or flight

Answer 12

• when a stressor is perceived, the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland.
  -thus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS
• stress hormone (adrenaline) is released from the adrenal medulla.
• adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body (increased heart rate) which creates the physiological arousal necessary for the fight or flight response.
• all of this happens at an instant as soon as the threat is detected (eg your heart beat will beat really quick)
• once the treat has passed, the parasympathetic ns returns the body to its resting state. this is sometimes referred to as the rest
  and digest response.

Question 13

what are some biological changes associated with the sympathetic state and parasympathetic state?

Answer 13

sympath —-> para
increased heart rate- decrease heart rate
increased breathing rate - decreased breathing rate
dilates pupils - constricts pupils
inhibits digestion- stimulates digestion
inhibits saliva production- stimulates saliva production
contracts rectum- relaxes rectum

Question 14

name all the glands and their secreted hormones

Answer 14

pituitary - ACTH
pineal -melatonin
thyroid - thyroxine
parathyroid - PTH
adrenal - adrenaline, noradrenaline
pancreas- insulin
ovaries -oestrogen, progesterone
testes- testosterone