Biopsychology

    avatar
    Created by
    Imogen W

    Cards (209)

    • 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 ACTH secreted from?
      The anterior pituitary gland
    • What does ACTH do?
      Controls the release of cortisol
    • What is the role of the amygdala?
      Associates threatening sensory information with emotions of fear and panic
    • Process of fight or flight activation
      Threat is detected by receptors eg eyes, ears
      Amygdala associates sensory signal with emotions of fear and panic
      Hypothalamus is triggered to activate sympathetic nervous system, secreting adrenaline
    • Brain Lobes Diagram
      A) Frontal Lobe
      B) Parietal Lobe
      C) Temporal Lobe
      D) Occipital Lobe
      E) Cerebellum
      F) Medulla
    • Parietal Lobe

      Responsible for sensory processing, spatial awareness and navigation, attention and perception