Biopsychology

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Created by
Imogen W

Cards (37)

  • Brain

    Body's 'central computer' controlling functions such as learning, recall, movement, and communication, as well as unconscious processes such as heartbeat and balance
    Sends messages around body via spinal cord
  • Nervous System

    A complex network of nerve cells that carry messages to and from the CNS, allowing different parts of the body to communicate with each other
  • 2 parts of the Nervous System
    Central Nervous System
    Peripheral Nervous System
  • CNS
    Central Nervous System
    Consists of spinal cord and brain
  • PNS
    Peripheral Nervous System
    Consists of somatic and autonomic nervous systems
  • Parts of the Peripheral Nervous System
    Somatic Nervous System
    Autonomic Nervous System
  • Parts of the Autonomic Nervous System
    Sympathetic Nervous System
    Parasympathetic Nervous System
  • Four Brain Lobes

    Frontal
    Temporal
    Parietal
    Occipital
  • Frontal Lobe
    Associated with higher-order functions including planning, abstract reasoning, logic and motor skills
  • Temporal Lobe Function

    Processes auditory information
  • Parietal Lobe Function

    Integrates information from different senses and plays a role in spatial navigation
  • Occipital Lobe Function

    Processes visual information
  • Spinal Cord

    Component of CNS
    Transfers messages to and from the brain and rest of the body
    Connects nerves to the PNS
    Also responsible for simple reflex actions
  • Somatic Nervous System

    Part of PNS
    Associated with voluntary control of body movements via muscles
    Made up of sensory receptors and neurons that carry information to the CNS, and motor neurons telling the muscles to act
  • Autonomic Nervous System 

    Part of PNS
    Responsible for control of involuntary bodily functions eg breathing, digestion, sweating
  • 2 Parts of Autonomic Nervous System
    Sympathetic Nervous System
    Parasympathetic Nervous System
  • Sympathetic Nervous System

    Component of ANS
    Involved in responses preparing the body for 'fight or flight' such as increasing heart rate and blood pressure
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System

    Component of ANS
    Returns the body to its normal resting state
    Also known as 'rest and digest' system
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System Effects
    Known as 'rest and digest':
    Constrict pupils
    Stimulate saliva production
    Decrease heart rate
    Decrease breathing rate
    Stimulate digestion
  • Why does adrenaline inhibit saliva and digestion?

    To allow other resources to act (energy saving) eg energy for running
  • Why does adrenaline cause pupils to dilate?

    To increase light for better vision
  • Why does adrenaline quicken breathing?
    To increase oxygen intake for exercise
  • Why does adrenaline increase heart rate?
    To speed up the blood flow to vital organs and improve the spread of adrenaline around the body
  • Sympathetic Nervous System Effects
    Prepares body for 'fight or flight' by secreting adrenaline which...
    Dilates pupils
    Inhibits saliva production
    Increases heart rate
    Increases breathing rate
    Inhibits digestion
  • Endocrine System
    A system of glands secreting hormones directly into the blood
  • Hypothalamus
    A brain area stimulating and controlling hormone secretion in the pituitary gland, thus controlling the endocrine system
  • Pituitary gland
    The master gland of the endocrine system as it releases hormones which stimulate other glands
  • Pituitary Gland Lobes

    Anterior and posterior
  • How do glands know when to secrete hormones?
    1. Signal sent from hypothalamus to the pituitary gland
    2. Pituitary gland secretes a 'stimulating hormone' into the blood
    3. This hormone signals the target gland to secrete its specific hormone
    4. The hypothalamus monitors hormone levels, ensuring they are stable. If not, cycle is repeated (negative feedback loop)
  • Where is insulin secreted from?
    Pancreas
  • Where is melatonin secreted from?
    The pineal gland
  • Where is oxytocin secreted from?
    Produced by hypothalamus
    Secreted by pituitary gland
  • Where is thyroxine secreted from?
    The thyroid gland
  • Where are adrenaline and cortisol secreted from?

    The adrenal gland
  • Where is adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) secreted from?

    The anterior pituitary gland
  • What does adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) do?
    Controls the release of cortisol
  • What does ACTH stand for?
    Adrenocorticotropic hormone