Biopsychology

• Explain the function of the endocrine system

  Regulate cell or organ activity within the body and control vital physiological processes in the body

  Release hormones/chemical messengers from glands into the bloodstream which then bind with specific receptors in order to regulate the activity of cells or organs in the body

  Adrenaline is a stress hormone which triggers physiological changes in the body creates the physiological arousal necessary for fight or flight response

  Imbalance in hormones might lead to dysfunction for example, high levels of cortisol causing Cushing’s disease.
• What is in the peripheral nervous system?

  Autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
• What is the autonomic nervous system?

  Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. System operates involuntarily. Has 2 main divisions.
• What are the 2 main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

  Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
• Somatic nervous system


  transmits sensory information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS

  transmits information from the brain (via the spinal cord) to effectors to produce (voluntary) movements

  integrates the brain with the outside world

  some movements are involuntary such as in the reflex arc.