biopsych test

• What does the Nervous System control?

  All conscious and automatic actions and sensations in the body
• What are the two main divisions of the Nervous System?


  • Central Nervous System (CNS)
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• What is the role of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

  It is controlled by the brain and connected to the spinal cord
• How do signals flow in the CNS?

  Signals flow from nerves to spinal cord, then to brain and back again
• What is the function of the brain in the CNS?

  The brain is the control center that receives and sorts millions of signals
• What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consist of?

  A huge network of nerves that run from the spinal cord to different parts of the body
• What are the two main divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?

  • Somatic System
  • Autonomic System
• What does the Autonomic system lead to?

  It leads to the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
• What are the two main functions of the Central Nervous System?

  1. Control of behavior
  2. Regulation of physiological processes
• How does the brain communicate with muscles and glands?

  It sends signals via the spinal cord and nerve cells
• What protects the spinal cord?

  The spine and vertebrae
• What is the role of the spinal cord?

  It relays information between the brain and the rest of the body
• How does the spinal cord work with the brain?

  It coordinates involuntary functions like breathing and digestion
• What are the four main areas of the brain?

  1. Cerebrum
  2. Cerebellum
  3. Diencephalon
  4. Brain Stem
• What is the largest part of the brain?

  The Cerebrum
• What is the function of the Cerebellum?


  It is involved in motor skills, balance, and speech
• What does the Diencephalon contain?

  It contains the thalamus and hypothalamus
• What is the role of the Brain Stem?

  It regulates automatic functions like breathing and heartbeat
• What makes up the Peripheral Nervous System?

  All nerves outside the CNS
• What is the function of the PNS?

  It relays nerve impulses from the CNS to the rest of the body and back
• What are the two main divisions of the PNS?

  1. Somatic
  2. Autonomic
• What is the role of the Somatic system?

  It has sensory and motor neurons for voluntary actions
• What does the Autonomic system control?

  It is responsible for involuntary actions like breathing and heartbeat
• What are the two divisions of the Autonomic system?

  1. Sympathetic
  2. Parasympathetic
• What is the function of the Sympathetic nervous system?

  It regulates organs and helps in emergencies
• What chemical does the Sympathetic system use for a stimulating effect?

  Noradrenaline
• What is the function of the Parasympathetic nervous system?

  It relaxes organs once an emergency has passed
• What chemical does the Parasympathetic system use for inhibiting effects?

  Acetylcholine
• What are neurons?

  • Specialized cells that move electrical impulses to and from the CNS
  • Carry neural information throughout the body
• What is the structure of a neuron?

  • Consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon
  • Dendrites receive signals, axon carries impulses
• What happens when information arrives at the axon?

  It travels down and forms an electrical impulse called action potential
• What is the function of the myelin sheath?

  It encases the axon to make the impulse travel faster
• What is the synaptic gap?

  It is the gap that nerve impulses must cross to reach the next neuron
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Chemicals that act as a bridge to pass messages across the synaptic gap
• What are excitatory and inhibitory transmitters?

  • Excitatory transmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, noradrenaline) act as "on" switches
  • Inhibitory transmitters (e.g., serotonin) act as "off" switches
• What are sensory neurons?

  • Carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to spinal cord and brain
  • Convert sensory information into nerve impulses
• What is the role of relay neurons?

  They allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate
• What are motor neurons?

  • Located in the CNS, control muscle action
  • Release neurotransmitters that bind to muscle receptors
• What is the Endocrine System?

  • A network of glands that manufacture and secrete hormones
  • Runs alongside the nervous system
• What are the major glands of the Endocrine System?

  • Pituitary gland
  • Adrenal gland
  • Ovaries
  • Testes