Biopsychology

• What are the main components of the nervous system?

  The brain and the spinal cord
• What is the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  It relays messages between the environment and CNS
• What types of neurones are involved in the PNS?

  Sensory and motor neurones
• How is the PNS subdivided?

  • Autonomic nervous system (controls involuntary functions)
  • Somatic nervous system (receives sensory information)
• What functions does the autonomic nervous system control?

  Involuntary, vital functions like heart and breathing rates
• What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

  Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches
• How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches work together?

  They function as an antagonistic pair
• What physiological changes does the sympathetic nervous system induce?

  Increases heart rate and breathing rate
• What physiological changes does the parasympathetic nervous system induce?

  Decreases heart rate and breathing rates
• What is the role of the endocrine system?

  • Main chemical messenger system
  • Hormones secreted into the bloodstream
  • Transported to target cells with receptors
• What is the 'master' gland of the endocrine system?

  The pituitary gland
• What hormone does the thyroid release and what is its effect?

  Thyroxine increases heart rate and growth
• What hormone does the adrenal gland release during the fight or flight response?

  Adrenaline
• What are the steps of the fight or flight response?

  1. Body senses a stressor
  2. Information sent to hypothalamus
  3. Adrenaline released from adrenal medulla
  4. Physiological changes occur (e.g., increased heart rate)
• What happens to the body when adrenaline is released?

  Rectum contracts, saliva production inhibited
• What is the adaptive purpose of the fight or flight response?

  To enable escape from stressors for survival
• What occurs when the stressor is no longer a threat?

  Less activity in sympathetic, more in parasympathetic
• What is the rest and digest response?

  • Triggered by the parasympathetic branch
  • Decreases activity increased by sympathetic branch