biopsych

• What is the role of the central nervous system (CNS)?

  Complex processing including conscious and unconscious actions
• What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consist of?

  A body-wide network of messenger neurons
• What is the function of sensory afferent neurons?

  To take information to the CNS
• What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) control?

  Actions of internal glands and involuntary functions
• What is the somatic nervous system (SNS) responsible for?

  Controlling skeletal muscles voluntarily
• What does the sympathetic system do?

  Increases bodily activities and prepares for action
• What is the role of the parasympathetic system?

  Decreases bodily activities and promotes rest
• What is homeostasis?

  Regulation of the internal environment
• What is the endocrine system?

  A collection of glands regulating bodily functions
• What hormone does the pituitary gland release?

  Controls the release of hormones from other glands
• What hormone does the hypothalamus produce?

  Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
• What is the function of the pineal gland?

  Modulates sleep patterns with melatonin
• What does the thyroid gland regulate?

  Metabolism through thyroxine
• What hormone does the pancreas produce?

  Insulin
• What is the role of the adrenal glands?

  Regulate the fight or flight response with adrenaline
• What hormone do ovaries produce?

  Estrogen
• What hormone do testicles produce?

  Testosterone
• What is the reflex arc and its components?

  • Sensory neuron: detects sensations
  • Relay neuron: transmits signals to CNS
  • Motor neuron: stimulates effectors like muscles
• What is synaptic transmission?

  Process allowing neurons to communicate via chemical signals
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Chemical messages released by neurons
• What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

  Excitatory stimulate action potentials; inhibitory reduce them
• What is depolarization?

  Increase in positive charge inside a neuron
• What is hyperpolarization?

  Increase in negative charge inside a neuron
• What is summation in neural communication?

  Combined effect of all influences on action potential
• Why is information passed unidirectionally in synapses?

  Due to neurotransmitter and receptor locations
• What is the fight or flight response?

  An evolutionary mechanism preparing for extreme action
• What triggers the fight or flight response?

  Detection of a stressor by the hypothalamus
• What is the role of cortisol in the fight or flight response?

  Regulates stress response and energy availability
• What are the psychological effects of adrenaline?

  Increased anxiety, attention, and alertness
• What are the physical effects of adrenaline?

  Increased blood flow and faster breathing
• What is chronic stress?

  Long-term stress from frequent fight or flight triggers
• What is localization of function in the brain?

  Specific functions are performed in distinct brain regions
• What is contralateral control in the brain?

  Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body
• What is hemispheric lateralization?

  Each hemisphere specializes in different functions
• Where are language centers located in the brain?

  In the left hemisphere
• What is the function of the motor cortex?

  Controls voluntary muscle movements
• What happens if the motor cortex is damaged?

  Loss of muscle function or paralysis
• What is the function of the somatosensory cortex?

  Receives sensory impressions from the body
• What is Broca's area responsible for?

  Speech production
• What happens if Broca's area is damaged?

  Difficulty producing fluent speech