biopsychology

• What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

  Central and peripheral nervous systems

  
• What makes up the central nervous system (CNS)?

  The brain and spinal cord

  
• What is the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  To inform the brain about the body's status and control responses
• What are the two components of the somatic nervous system (SNS)?

  • Afferent (sensory) pathways
  • Efferent (motor) pathways
• What is the function of sensory pathways in the SNS?

  To carry information from sensory receptors to the brain
• How do motor neurons function in the SNS?

  They transmit commands from the brain to skeletal muscles

  
• What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

  Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches
• What is the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

  To regulate bodily arousal and maintain homeostasis
• What happens when the sympathetic branch of the ANS is activated?

  Increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased digestive activity
• What is the effect of the parasympathetic branch of the ANS?

  It leads to physiological calm and reactivates the digestive system

  
• What is the role of the hypothalamus in the ANS?

  It activates the sympathetic branch to respond to threats
• What are neurons?

  Cells that conduct electrical impulses in the nervous system

  
• What is an action potential?

  An electrical pulse that travels along a neuron
• How do neurons communicate across a synapse?

  Through the release of neurotransmitters
• What happens when neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on a post-synaptic neuron?

  They may trigger an electrical impulse

  
• What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

  Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of an action potential, while inhibitory ones decrease it
• What is GABA?

  A purely inhibitory neurotransmitter
• How do drugs affect neurotransmitters?

  They can increase or decrease neurotransmitter levels, affecting their excitatory or inhibitory effects
• What are the functions of sensory, motor, and relay neurons?

  • Sensory neurons: Send information from senses to the brain
  • Relay neurons: Connect different parts of the CNS for analysis and response
  • Motor neurons: Send messages from the brain to muscles or effectors

  
• What is the endocrine system?

  A network of glands that release hormones

  
• What are hormones?

  Chemical messages that regulate the activity of cells or organs
• What are some examples of endocrine glands and their main hormones?

  • Thyroid: Thyroxine - regulates metabolic rate
  • Adrenal medulla: Adrenaline - fight or flight response
  • Testes: Androgens - male sexual characteristics
  • Ovaries: Oestrogens - female reproductive regulation

  
• What is the role of the pituitary gland?

  It controls the secretions of other endocrine glands
• How does the hypothalamus relate to the endocrine system?

  It controls and regulates the release of hormones from the pituitary gland
• What is the fight or flight response?

  The body's response to threat involving energy and physiological arousal

  
• What happens during the fight or flight response?

  Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels

  
• What role does the hypothalamus play in the fight or flight response?

  It activates the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla

  
• What are the direct effects of adrenaline during the fight or flight response?

  Increased heart rate and blood flow, and diverted blood from non-essential systems
• What happens when the threat has passed in the fight or flight response?

  The parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to normal

  
• What is the 'tend and befriend' response suggested by Taylor et al (2000)?

  Women respond to stress by nurturing and forming alliances for protection
• What is the 'freeze response' proposed by Gray (1988)?

  It is an initial reaction to avoid confrontation and assess danger
• Why might you experience physical changes like quickened breathing and a dry mouth in a stressful situation?

  These are physiological responses triggered by the sympathetic nervous system
• What happens to the body after the initial stress response subsides?

  Physical changes gradually return to normal as the parasympathetic system takes over
• What nurturing behaviors do women exhibit towards their young?

  They tend to 'tend' to them and form alliances with other women for protection.
• What is the primary function of women according to evolutionary factors?

  To raise their children.
• What does Gray (1988) argue is the initial reaction of animals when confronted with a threat?

  To avoid confrontation.
• What is the 'freeze response' in animals?

  It is when animals stop, look, and listen to assess danger.
• What physical changes might occur in a person after a sudden stress response, such as slamming on brakes to avoid hitting a dog?

  Breathing quickens, mouth becomes dry, and a feeling of 'butterflies' in the stomach occurs.
• Why do physical changes from stress disappear after a few minutes?

  The body returns to a state of homeostasis as the immediate threat is resolved.
• Which part of the brain is responsible for processing visual information?

  Visual cortex located in the occipital lobe.