Biopsychology

• What are the divisions of the nervous system?

  • Central Nervous System (CNS)
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
  • Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
• What does the central nervous system (CNS) include?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the spinal cord in the CNS?

  Receives and transmits information
• What is the function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  Connects the CNS to the body
• What type of neurons are sensory neurons?

  Afferent neurons
• What do motor neurons do?

  Take information away from the CNS
• What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) control?

  Actions of internal glands involuntarily
• What is the somatic nervous system (SNS)?

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

  Increases bodily activities during stress
• What is the role of the parasympathetic system?

  Decreases bodily activities and promotes rest
• What is homeostasis?

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

  A collection of glands regulating functions
• What is the pituitary gland known as?

  The master gland
• What hormone does the hypothalamus release?

  Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
• What does the pineal gland regulate?

  Sleep patterns via melatonin
• What is the function of the thyroid gland?

  Modulates metabolism with thyroxine
• What hormone does the pancreas produce?

  Insulin
• What do adrenal glands regulate?

  Fight or flight response with adrenaline
• What hormone do ovaries produce?

  Estrogen
• What hormone do testicles produce?

  Testosterone
• What is the reflex arc composed of?

  • Sensory neuron
  • Relay neuron
  • Motor neuron
• What is the function of a sensory neuron?

  Detect sensations like pain
• What happens during synaptic transmission?

  Neurons communicate via chemical signals
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Chemical messages released by neurons
• What is the role of excitatory neurotransmitters?

  Increase likelihood of action potential
• What is the role of inhibitory neurotransmitters?

  Decrease likelihood of action potential
• 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 survival mechanism to threats
• What triggers the fight or flight response?

  Detection of a stressor by the hypothalamus
• What hormone is released by the pituitary gland during stress?

  Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
• What are the psychological effects of adrenaline?

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

  Increased blood flow to brain and muscles
• What is chronic stress?

  Long-term stress affecting health
• What is localization of function in the brain?

  • Functions are performed in distinct brain regions
  • Opposite view: brain acts holistically
• What does contralateral mean in brain function?

  Each hemisphere controls opposite body side
• 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