biopsychology

• What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

  Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System
• What is the role of the central nervous system?

  It is responsible for complex commands and decisions
• How does the central nervous system compare to a president?

  It has overall control like a president
• What distinguishes the human brain from other animals?

  The outer layer called the cerebral cortex
• What is the function of the spinal cord?

  It passes messages to and from the brain
• What does the peripheral nervous system do?

  Transfers messages via neurons to and from CNS
• What does the autonomic nervous system control?

  Vital functions like breathing and heart rate
• What is the role of the somatic nervous system?

  Controls muscle movement and receives sensory information
• What are the functions of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems?

  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS):
  • Controls vital functions (breathing, heart rate)
  • Not under conscious control
  • Somatic Nervous System (SNS):
  • Controls muscle movement
  • Receives information from sensory receptors
  • Functions under conscious control
• What does the sympathetic division do?

  Prepares the body for intense physical activity
• What is the role of the parasympathetic division?

  Relaxes the body and inhibits high energy functions
• How does the central nervous system respond when Jade steps on a pin?

  It processes the pain and initiates a reflex action
• What is a relay neuron?

  Smaller neurons found in the brain and spinal cord
• What is the function of neurotransmitters?

  Act as chemical messengers in the nervous system
• What is the role of the cell body in a neuron?

  Contains cytoplasm and nucleus
• What do dendrites do?

  Receive nerve impulses from adjacent neurons
• What is the function of the axon?

  Passes along electrical signals as an action potential
• What does the myelin sheath do?

  Insulates the axon and speeds up transmission
• What are nodes of Ranvier?

  Separated sections of the myelin sheath
• What happens at the synapse?

  Neurotransmitters transfer responses between neurons
• What is the resting state of a neuron?

  Negatively charged compared to the outside
• What triggers an action potential in a neuron?

  Activation by a stimulus causing positive charge
• What do terminal buttons do?

  Release neurotransmitters across the synapse
• How do neurotransmitters bind to neurons?

  They fit into specific receptor sites like a lock and key
• What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

  Excitatory increase positive charge; inhibitory decrease it
• What is the role of serotonin?

  Acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain
• What does the endocrine system do?

  Controls bodily functions using chemical signals
• What is the pituitary gland often called?

  The master gland
• What is the fight-or-flight response?

  Body's automatic response to danger
• How does the fight-or-flight response prepare the body?

  It primes the body to fight or flee
• What are the differences between the endocrine and nervous systems?

  • Endocrine System:
  • Uses hormones for slower responses
  • Controls vital functions over time
  • Nervous System:
  • Uses electrical impulses for immediate responses
  • Controls movement and reflexes
• What is the role of adrenaline in the fight-or-flight response?

  Prepares the body for immediate physical action
• What happens to the body during a stress response?

  Breathing quickens, heart pounds, mouth dries
• How does the autonomic nervous system respond after a stressor is removed?

  It calms the body and returns to homeostasis
• What is the role of the hypothalamus?

  Regulates bodily functions and homeostasis
• What is the function of the adrenal gland?

  Produces hormones like adrenaline
• What is the role of the CNS in behavior?

  It controls our behavior
• What is the role of the PNS in behavior?

  Affects our behavior through message transfer
• What is the function of sensory neurons?

  Take information from PNS to CNS
• What is the function of motor neurons?

  Connect CNS to effectors like muscles