Biopsychology

Created by

Evie Robertshaw

Cards (172)

What are the 3 main functions of the nervous system?
To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells
Relay messages from the brain to the body
2 areas of the central nervous system?
Spinal cord
Brain
Role of the brain 
The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness and is involved in all physiological processes needed for human function and survival.
Role of spinal cord
Relay information from the brain to the rest of the body
Passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS
Contains a circuit of nerve cells which enable us to perform simple reflexes without direct involvement of the brain
Function of peripheral nervous system 
To relay nerve impulses from the CNS to the body and from the body back to the CNS
Sub-divisions of the PNS
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Role of somatic nervous system 
Controls voluntary muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
Role of autonomic nervous system 
Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
Divisions of the autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
Relationships between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system 
Antagonistic, they work in opposition to each other
Role of sympathetic nervous system
Involved in responses that help us deal with emergencies. e.g Flight or fight
Neurones from the sympathetic nervous system travel to every organ and gland preparing the body for rapid action when an individual is under threat
Role of parasympathetic nervous system
To relax the individual once the emergency has passed.
Slows down heartbeat and reduces blood pressure
Sympathetic state
Increased heart rate
Increased breathing rate
Dilates pupils
Inhibits digestion
Inhibits saliva production
Parasympathetic state
Decreases heart rate
Decreases breathing rate
Constricts pupils
Stimulates digestion
Stimulates saliva production
Endocrine system
The endocrine system consists of glands which produced hormones which are released into the blood stream to target organs and each hormone has a specific function.
Adrenal gland
Produces Adrenalin
Targets vital organs: Liver, heart
Prepares body for action- flight or fight
Ovary gland
produces oestrogen
Target organ: Uterus
Controls puberty and menstrual cycle in females
Ovary gland
Progesterone
Target organs: Uterus
Maintains the lining of the womb
Pancreas gland
Insulin hormone
target organ: Liver
Controls blood sugar levels
Pituitary gland
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
Target organ: Kidney
Controls blood water level by triggering uptake of water and producing urine by kidney
Thyroid gland
Thyroxine
Target organ: Liver, Kidney
Helps control the rate of metabolism
Testes
Testosterone
Target organs: Male reproductive organs
Controls puberty in males and production of sperm
Importance of pituitary gland
Master gland
Produces hormones and releases hormones from other glands
Controlled by hypothalamus
Pituitary gland produces hormones that travel in the blood stream to their specific target and stimulates these glands to produce other hormones
Hormones 
A chemical substance which is circulated in the blood stream and only affects target organs.
Produced in large quantities but disappear quickly.
How does the pituitary gland work?
Hypothalamus sends signals to pituitary gland
Pituitary gland secretes a stimulating hormone
Target gland releases its hormone
Level of hormones in bloodstream increase
Hypothalamus stops signal
Pituitary gland stops secreting stimulating hormone
Target gland stops releasing hormones
The flight or fight response
Endocrine and autonomic system work together
A stressful event e.g exams would lead to hypothalamus triggering sympathetic branch of ANS.
ANS changes from resting state (parasympathetic) to aroused state (sympathetic)
The pituitary gland releases ACTH. Causing adrenal glands to release adrenaline in blood
Adrenaline causes physiological changes e.g incerased heart rate which causes fight or flight response
When event over parasympathetic kicks in
Body reaches resting state
Structure of a neurone
Role of dendrites 
Long branches, and their role is to receive chemical messages from the axon terminals of other neurones and convert them into electrical impulses
Role of cell body 
Control centre of the neurone.
It contains nucleus (genetic material of cell)
What are axons covered in? 
Myelin sheath
What is myelin sheath? 
Protective insulating covering which acts to speed up electrical impulses
Role of axon terminals 
Responsible for communicating the message with the next neurone
Role of nodes of Ranvier 
Gaps within the myelinated axon and helps to speeds up transmission of electrical impulses.
Role of axon 
Carries electrical impulses (action potential) down the length of the axon.
Sensory neurone pathway 
Carry nerve impulses from the sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain.
Convert information from sensory receptors into neural impulses.
Information is sent via the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system
Role of relay neurone
Lie within the brain and the spinal cord and allow sensory and motor neurones to communicate.
Role of motor neurone
Located in the CNS
Connect CNS to effectors such as muscles to control muscle movement
When stimulated they release neurotransmitters that bind to the receptors on the muscles and triggers a response which leads to muscle movement
How are signals within neurones transmitted? 
Electrically
How are signals between neurones are transmitted? 
Chemically
Presynaptic neurone 
The neurones which transmits the neural impulse