Biopsychology

• What does the central nervous system (CNS) include?


  The brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?


  It acts as a body-wide network of messenger neurons
• What are the two main divisions of the peripheral nervous system?


  Autonomic nervous system (ANS) and somatic nervous system (SNS)
• What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) control?


  Actions of internal glands and involuntary functions
• What is the function of the sympathetic system?


  It increases bodily activities and prepares the body for fight or flight
• What does the parasympathetic system do?


  It decreases bodily activities and promotes rest and digest
• What is homeostasis?


  The regulation of the internal environment by balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
• What is the endocrine system responsible for?


  Regulating bodily functions through the release of hormones
• What is the pituitary gland known as?


  The master gland
• What hormone does the hypothalamus release?


  Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
• What is the function of the pineal gland?


  It releases melatonin to modulate sleep patterns
• What does the thyroid gland regulate?


  Metabolism through the release of thyroxine
• What hormone does the pancreas produce?


  Insulin
• What is the role of the adrenal glands?


  To regulate the fight or flight response through adrenaline
• What hormone do ovaries produce?


  Estrogen
• What hormone do testicles produce?


  Testosterone
• What is the reflex arc composed of?


  Sensory, relay, and motor neurons
• What is the function of sensory neurons?


  To detect sensations and transmit information to the CNS
• What is the role of relay neurons?


  To transmit signals from sensory neurons to motor neurons
• What do motor neurons do?


  They stimulate effectors like muscles to produce movement
• What is synaptic transmission?


  The process by which neurons communicate through chemical signals
• What are neurotransmitters?


  Chemical messages released by neurons
• What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?


  Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of an action potential, while inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease it
• What happens during depolarization?


  The electrical charge inside the neuron becomes more positive
• What is hyperpolarization?


  The electrical charge inside the neuron becomes more negative
• What is summation in the context of neurons?


  The combined effect of all excitatory and inhibitory influences on a neuron
• Why is information passed unidirectionally in synaptic transmission?


  Due to the structure of the synapse, with neurotransmitters in the presynaptic cell and receptors in the postsynaptic cell
• What is the fight or flight response?


  An evolutionary survival mechanism that prepares the body for extreme action in response to a threat
• What triggers the fight or flight response?


  Detection of a stressor by the hypothalamus
• What is the role of cortisol in the fight or flight response?


  It is released by the adrenal cortex in response to stress
• What are the psychological effects of adrenaline?


  Increased anxiety, attention, and alertness
• What are the physical effects of adrenaline?


  Increased blood flow to the brain and skeletal muscles, quick thinking, and faster breathing
• What is chronic stress?


  Frequent triggering of the fight or flight response leading to stress-related illnesses
• What does localization of function in the brain refer to?


  Specific functions being performed in distinct regions of the brain
• What is contralateral control in the brain?


  Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body
• What is hemispheric lateralization?


  Each hemisphere of the brain is specialized to perform different functions
• Where are language centers located in the brain?


  In the left hemisphere
• What is the function of the motor cortex?


  To control voluntary muscle movements across the body
• What happens if the motor cortex is damaged?


  It can result in loss of muscle function or paralysis on the opposite side of the body
• What is the function of the somatosensory cortex?


  To receive sensory impressions from around the body