Introduction To Biopscyhology

Question 1

Define Nervous System

Answer 1

Responsible for controlling all biological processes and movement

Question 2

Define Central Nervous System

Answer 2

Consists of brain and spine –receive and sent out information

Question 3

Define Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 3

The peripheral nervous system controls all voluntary and involuntary muscles and glands. Essentially, the peripheral nervous system contains all your nerves and nerve bundles excluding the brain and spinal cord.

Question 4

Define Somatic Nervous System

Answer 4

The part of the nervous system which connects the brain and spinal cord to the voluntary muscle system. The somatic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is also made up of the autonomic nervous system, which connects the brain and spinal cord to involuntary muscles and glands.

Question 5

Define Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 5

The Autonomic Nervous System is made up of three parts: the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system, and the enteric nervous system. It controls the muscles that move involuntarily, like the eyes, the heart, and the intestines. It contributes to the “fight or flight” response, causing your heart to race and your blood pressure to go up when you face danger. This is the system affected by caffeine, which is why caffeine can cause increased heart rate and alertness beyond your control.

Question 6

Define Neuron

Answer 6

A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.

Question 7

Define Sensory Neurons

Answer 7

Sensory neurons are nerve cells within the nervous system responsible for converting external stimuli from the organism’s environment into internal electrical impulses.

Question 8

Define Relay Neurons

Answer 8

Neurones are nerve cells. They carry information as tiny electrical signals. … Sensory neurones carry signals from receptors to the spinal cord and brain.

Question 9

Define Motor Neuron

Answer 9

a nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.

Question 10

Define Synaptic Transmission

Answer 10

Synaptic Transmission is a term that refers to how the nervous system transmits information across a “synaptic gap” (the physical gap between nerve cells) from one neuron to another. This is accomplished by the body’s production of chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Question 11

Define Neurotransmitter

Answer 11

a chemical substance which is released at the end of a nerve fibre by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse or junction, effects the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fibre, a muscle fibre, or some other structure.

Question 12

Define Excitation

Answer 12

Increase positive charge of the positive synaptic neuron. Speeding up process

Question 13

Define Inhibition

Answer 13

Increase negative charge of the negative synaptic neuron. slowing down process

Question 14

Define Endocrine System

Answer 14

The endocrine system is the collection of glands of an organism that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards distant target organs.

Question 15

Define Gland

Answer 15

an organ in the human or animal body which secretes particular chemical substances for use in the body or for discharge into the surroundings.

Question 16

Define Hormones

Answer 16

a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.

Question 17

Define Fight or Flight Response

Answer 17

a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival.

Question 18

Define Adrenaline

Answer 18

a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that increases rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and prepares muscles for exertion.

Question 19

Explain The Nervous System

Answer 19

The nervous system is essentially a biological information highway, and is responsible for controlling all the biological processes and movement in the body, and can also receive information and interpret it Via electrical signals, which are used in this nervous system.

It consists of the central nervous system (CNS) essentially the processing area and the peripheral nervous system, which detects and sends electrical impulses that are used in the nervous system.

Question 20

Explain The Central Nervous System

Answer 20

The central nervous system is effectively the centre of the nervous system. The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for receiving and interpreting signals from the peripheral nervous system and sends out signals to it, via nerves, either consciously or unconsciously.

In total, there are 43 main nerves that branch of the CNS to the peripheral nervous system. (The Peripheral system is the nervous system outside the CNS) Theses are the motor neurones that carry signals away from the CNS to the peripheral system.

Question 21

Explain The Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 21

The PNS consists mainly of neurons (nerve cells) which are bundles of the long fibres or Axons that connect to one another and connect the CNS to every other part of the body. Nerves that transmit signals from the brain are called motor neurons and are responsible for stimulating muscle contraction. Nerves that carry messages from the PNS to the CNS are called sensory neurons. Relay Neurons connect the sensory neurons to the motor neurons. The PNS is divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous system

Question 22

Explain The Somatic Nervous System

Answer 22

The somatic nervous system (SoNS) is the part of the peripheral nervous system. The somatic fibres are responsible for the voluntary movement of our body. Ie movement that you consciously think about doing. The SoNS receives messages from the sensory receptors.

Question 23

Define The Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 23

The autonomic nervous system incorporates all the impulses that are done involuntarily; they govern all vital bodily functions. Eg breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal, stress response. This type of system can further be broken down into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems which keep one another in check In a form of negative feedback such as the release of insulin and glucagon in sugar control of the blood.

The sympathetic nervous system is activated in cases of emergencies to mobilise energy and is often considered the “Fight or flight” system, while the parasympathetic nervous system is often considered the “rest and digest” or “feed and breed” system and is activated when organisms are in a relaxed state. In many cases, both of these systems have “Opposite” actions where one system activates a physiological response and the other inhibits it.

Question 24

Division of the Nevous System

Answer 24

Nervous System Splits into two divisions, Central Nervous System which is the Brain or Spinal Cord.

and the Peripheral Nervous System which splits into the Sensory Pathways and Motor Pathways

Motor Pathways split into Somatic Nervous System (Voluntary) and Autonomic Nervous System ( Involuntary )

The Autonomic Nervous System is Sympathetic Division and Parasympathetic Division.

Question 25

Parts of a motor neuron

Answer 25

Cell Body,
Dendrites,
Axon,
Axon Terminal

Question 26

Part of a Interneruon

Answer 26

Dendrite,
Cell Body,
Axon,
Axon Terminal

Question 27

Parts of a Sensory Neuron

Answer 27

Dendrites
Axon
Cell Body
Axon Terminal

Question 28

Function of Sensory Neurons

Answer 28

These neurons tell the rest of the brain about the external and internal environment by processing information taken from one of the five senses.
EG. Eyes, Touch, Taste, Hear

Question 29

Function of Relay Neurons

Answer 29

Relay neurons carry messages from part of the CNS to another. They connect motor and sensory neurons.

Question 30

Function of Motor Neurons

Answer 30

Function of Motor Neurons Motor neurons carry signals from the CNS which helps both organs including glands and muscles functions.

Question 31

Define The Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 31

Neurons from the SNS travel to virtually every organ and gland preparing the body for flight-or-flight response; Stored energy is released, pupils dilate and sweating increases. Less important processes, like digestion, are slower

Question 32

Define the Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 32

Works in opposition to the SNS relaxing the body once the emergency has passed: the heart rate slows and blood pressure reduces. The PNS is called rest and digest as it is involved in energy conseravtion and digestion.

Question 33

Explain Synaptic Transmission

Answer 33

Synaptic vesicles, at the end of the pre-synaptic axon, contain neurotransmitters. When an action potential reaches the synaptic vesicles, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap through a process called exocytosis.

Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic gap and bind onto specialised receptors on the surface of the post-synaptic neuron. Once activated the receptor molecules produce either excitatory or inhibitory effects on the post-synaptic neuron.

The quicker the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter into the presnaptic neuron the shorter the excitatory or inhibitory effect. Enzymes can deactivate neurotransmitters after they have stimulated receptors.

Question 34

Explain Endocrine System

Answer 34

The endocrine system works closely with the nervous system to regulate the physiological processes if the human body.

Question 35

Explain the endocrine glands

Answer 35

A Feedback mechanism ensures stable concentrations of hormones in the bloodstream

A releasing hormone rise the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to secrete a stimulating hormone, which signals the target gland to secrete its hormone.

As levels of this hormone rise, the secretion releasing hormones shut down the target gland then slows secretion of its hormone.

Question 36

Explain the Pituitary Gland

Answer 36

Some of the hormones released are important for regulating the endocrine system, hence the nickname “master gland”, releases all hormones (ACTH)

Question 37

Explain Adrenal Gland

Answer 37

An Important part of the fight – or –flight response as it facilitates the release of adrenaline

Question 38

Explain The Testes Gland

Answer 38

They facilitate the release of testosterone (male hormones)

Question 39

Explain The Ovaries Gland

Answer 39

They facilitate the release of oestrogen and progesterone (Female hormones)

Question 40

Explain The Fight or Flight Response

Answer 40

The flight-or-fight response is a survival response enabling the organisms to react quickly in dangerous situations.

Question 41

Outline the Flight or Fight Response

Answer 41

The fight-or-flight response is when someone is faced with a threat or stressful situation, that causes the amygdala to become mobilised. It then associates sensory signals with emotions that are then associated with fight or flight (e.g fear or anger). After that, it then sends a signal to the hypothalamus to communicate with the rest of the body through the sympathetic nervous system.

The response happens when the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is triggered. It begins preparing the body for action while it sends a signal to the adrenal medulla that causes adrenaline to rush into the bloodstream. A number of physiological changes occur: a faster heart beat, pushing blood to muscles and vital organs, blood pressure increases as well as the rate of breathing, and also causes the release of glucose. Finally, when the situation passes, the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic system causes a slower heart beat and a reduction in blood pressure, and allows for digestion to occur. to the slightest hint of danger.