Psychology Biopsychology

• What is the branch concerned with conserving energy in the nervous system?


  The parasympathetic branch
• What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

  Central and peripheral nervous systems
• How does the sympathetic branch of the nervous system affect bodily functions?


  It tends to 'excite' functions
• What is the role of the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system?


  It tends to 'inhibit' functions
• What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) control?


  Involuntary actions of non-skeletal muscles
• What does the somatic nervous system control?


  Voluntary actions involving skeletal muscles
• What is the composition of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?


  All of the nerves outside the CNS
• What is the function of the central nervous system (CNS)?


  It controls behavior and regulates biological processes
• What are neurons?


  Nerve cells that provide communication in the nervous system
• What is the role of dendrites in a neuron?


  They receive signals from other neurons or sensory receptors
• What is the function of the axon in a neuron?


  It carries information along the neuron
• What is the myelin sheath's role in neuron function?


  It insulates the axon and speeds up transmission
• What type of neuron transmits sensory information to the brain?

  Sensory neurons
• What is the function of motor neurons?


  Transmit information to muscles and glands from the CNS
• What do relay neurons do?


  Form connections between other neurons in the CNS
• What is the synapse in neuron communication?


  A gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released
• What happens when a nerve impulse reaches the end of a pre-synaptic neuron?


  A neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft
• How do neurotransmitters function in synaptic transmission?


  They bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron
• What is the 'lock and key' mechanism in neurotransmitter action?


  The receptor site is shaped for a specific neurotransmitter
• What is reuptake in the context of neurotransmitters?


  Neurotransmitters are taken back into the pre-synaptic neuron for recycling
• What are excitatory neurotransmitters?


  They make it more likely that the post-synaptic neuron fires an impulse
• What are inhibitory neurotransmitters?


  They make it less likely that the post-synaptic neuron will fire an impulse
• What is summation in the context of neurotransmitter action?


  It is the overall effect of neurotransmitters that determines whether a neuron fires
• How do drugs affect synaptic transmission?


  They can alter the process of neurotransmitter release or reception
• What does the endocrine system consist of?


  A system of glands that produce hormones
• How do hormones compare to the nervous system in terms of action speed?


  Hormones are slow acting compared to the nervous system
• What is the function of the pituitary gland?


  It produces hormones that stimulate other glands
• What hormone does the adrenal medulla release?


  Adrenaline
• What is the role of the pineal gland?


  It produces melatonin, which regulates sleep
• What hormone do the testes produce?


  Testosterone
• What hormones do the ovaries produce?

  Oestrogen and progesterone
• What is the fight-or-flight response?


  A physiological reaction to life-threatening situations
• What role does the hypothalamus play in the fight-or-flight response?


  It processes threat information and activates the sympathetic branch
• What happens when the adrenal medulla releases adrenaline?


  It brings about the fight-or-flight response
• What occurs when the stressor ceases in the fight-or-flight response?


  The parasympathetic branch returns the body to normal
• How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems interact?


  They have opposing actions on bodily functions
• What is a criticism of the fight-or-flight response in modern times?


  It is often triggered by psychological stressors rather than life-threatening situations
• What alternative response to threats does Gray (1988) suggest?


  That the first reaction is to freeze and assess the situation
• What is the tend-and-befriend response proposed by Taylor (2000)?


  It is a response more common in females during stress
• What does localisation of function refer to?


  The idea that specific areas of the brain are responsible for different functions