The nervous system and the endocrine system Flashcards
Biopsychology
What is the nervous system?
Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
What is the central nervous system (CNS)?
Consists of the brain and the spinal chord and is the origin of all complex decisions and commands
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
Sends information to the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body
What is the somatic nervous system (SNS)?
Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act
What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
Transmits information to and from internal body organs. It is autonomic as the system operates involuntarily. It has two main divisions: the sympathetic can the parasympathetic nervous systems
What are the two main functions of the Nervous system?
1) To collect, proceed and respond to information in the environment
2) To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What is the brains outer layer called?
Cerebral cortex
What is the spinal chord responsible for?
Reflex actions e.g pulling your hand away from a hot plate
What functions does the ANS control?
Governs essential functions like the heart rate, breathing, digestion, sexual arousal and stress response
What functions does the SNS control?
Muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
What is the endocrine system?
Glands and hormones
How do hormones work?
Glands release hormones into the blood stream which affect any cell with a receptor for that hormone
What is the main gland in the endocrine system?
Pituitary gland (Master gland, controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands)
Sympathetic state:
Increases heart rate, increases breathing rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion, Inhibits saliva production, contracts rectum
Parasympathetic state:
Decreases heart rate, decreases breathing rate, constricts pupils, stimulates digestion, stimulates saliva production, relaxes rectum
What is the fight or flight response?
The way an animal responds when stressed. The body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or flee
What is adrenaline?
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands which is part of the human body’s stress response system
