biopsychology

• what are the two divisions of the nervous system

  • central nervous system : brain and spinal cord connected by the brain stem
  • peripheral nervous system : somatic (voluntary) and autonomic (involuntary)
• what is the difference between the nervous system and the endocrine system

  • the nervous system acts more rapidly than the endocrine system but they are both very fast
  • the nervous systems average response time is 0.25 seconds but they are both very fast
  • the endocrine system responses are slower because hormones must travel through the bloodstream (about 2 or 3 seconds) but last longer
• what are the three 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 in the body
  • within the nerve cell is electrical then it transfers into chemical between them (at the synapses)
• what is the central nervous system

  it's made up of the brain and spinal cord
• what is the brain

  it's the centre of all conscious awareness, which has an outer layer the CEREBAL CORTEX (3mm thick and covers the brain like an orange peel covers a orange) - it's highly developed in humans and is what distinguishes our higher mental functions from those of other animals
• what living creatures don't have a brain

  sponges and jelly gish
• Is the brain divided into two hemispheres


  yes
• what is the spinal cord

  an extension of the brain, it passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system - it is also responsible for reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate
• what is the peripheral nervous system

  it transmits messages, via millions of NEURONS (nerve cells) to and from the CNS
• what is the PNS further subdivided into

  somatic and autonomic nervous system
• what is the autonomic nervous system

  it governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
• what is the somatic nervous system

  governs muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors, it also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act
• what is the scientific term for vision

  iconic
• what is the scientific term for hearing

  echoic
• what is the scientific term for touch

  tactile
• what is the scientific term for taste

  gustatory
• what is the scientific term for smell

  olfactory
• what are the sense organs controlled by

  the somatic nervous system
• what are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system

  sympathetic and parasympathetic
• what is the sympathetic nervous system

  the flight or fight response
• what is the parasympathetic nervous system

  the rest or digest response (making sure everything goes back to homeostasis)
• what is the endocrine system

  it works alongside the nervous system to control vital functins in the body, it acts more slowly than the nervous system but has very widespread and powerful effects
• the function of the endocrine system

  • various glands in the body such as the THYROID GLAND produce HORMONES
  • hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor
• what are some glands in the endocrine system

  • hypothalamus
  • pituitary gland
  • thyroid gland
  • pancreas
  • adrenal glands
  • testes and ovaries
• where is adrenaline released from/controlled by

  • the adrenal medulla glands : produced by the adrenal medula in the adrenal glands, located behind the kidneys
• what is adrenalines function

  • triggers the body's fight or flight responses. For examples, 1 reaction causes increase heart rate, it causes a noticeable increase in strength and performance, as well as heightened awareness in stressful times
  • after stress has subdued, the effects can last up to an hour
• where is testosterone released from/controlled by

  • testes : secreted primarily by the testicles of males and, to a lesser extent. the ovaries of females small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands
• what is testosterones function

  • development of male reproductive tissues such as the tests and prostate as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair. Also correlated with aggressive and competitive behaviour
• where is cortisol released from/controlled by

  adrenal cortex glands : produced by the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland, located behind the kidneys
• what is cortisol's function

  • it is known as the stress hormone, high levels are found in the blood during times of stress
• what does the endocrine system work in parallel with

  with the Autonomic Nervous System. For instance, in a stressful event
• what happens when a stressor is perceived

  • the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland and this triggers activity in the sympathetic brand of the ANS, so the ANS changes from it's normal resting state ( PARASYMPATHETIC STATE)to the aroused ( SYMPATHETIC SSTATE)
• what is a acute stressor

  a sudden stressor
• what is a chronic stressor

  an ongoing stressor
• how is adrenaline released during a fight or flight response

  the stress hormone is released from the adrenal medulla. adrenaline triggers physiological changes in your body (e.g., increased heart rate) which creates the physiological arousal necessary for the fight or flight response
• what happens in a flight or flight response

  an immediate and automatic response, when the threat is detected (e.g., your heart starts beating faster) this is an acute response and an automatic reaction in the body. These changes explain why stress, panic or even excitement are often experiences as 'sick' feelings
• what happens with the parasympathetic action in the fight or flight response

  • it returns the body to it's resting state, as a branch of the the ANS it works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system - its actions are antagonistic to the sympathetic system
  • it acts as a 'brake' and reduces the activities of the body that were increased by the action of the sympathetic branch (rest or digest response)
• the structure and function of neurons

  • there are 100 billion NEURONS ( nerve cells) in the human nervous system and 80% of them are in the brain
  • by transmitting signals electrically and chemically, the neurons provide the nervous system with it's primary means of communication
• 3 different types of neurons

  • sensory
  • relay
  • motor
• the structure of sensory neurons

  they have long dendrites and short axons