Biopsychology A-level AQA

• What is the nervous system?

  Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
• What is the central nervous system (CNS)?


  Consists of the brain and spinal cord where complex commands and decisions take place.
• What is the somatic nervous system (SNS)?

  Transmits info from the receptor cells into the sense organs to the CNS. Also receives info from the CNS to the direct muscles to act
• What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?


  Transmits info to and from internal bodily organs. The system operates involuntarily. It has two main divisions: PARASYMPATHETIC and SYMPATHETIC
• Structure of the nervous system.

  
• What is the purpose of the endocrine system?


  One of the main systems instructs glands to secrete hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones are carried towards the target organs in the body.
• Define gland.

  An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones.
• What is the 'fight or flight response'?


  Physiological stress response.
• Define adrenaline.


  Hormone produced by adrenal glands, part of the human body's immediate stress system.
• Outline the steps of the fight or flight response.

  
• State some the the sympathetic and parasympathetic states in terms of bodily functions.

  
• Visual and language systems in the brain

  • Work together to send instructions to hand through the spinal cord to hand muscles
• Paralysis


  The brain can no longer send information beyond the break in the spinal cord
• Immediate impulse to move

  No brain involved, happens only in the spinal cord
• Functions of the central nervous system

  • Sensory receptors carry information from the brain to the spinal cord
  • Made up of the brain and the spinal cord
• Functions of the brain

  • Basic functions such as regulating body temperature, heart rate and breathing
  • Language (production and understanding)
  • Coordinating movement
  • Coding sensory data from the sensory organs
  • Problem-solving and planning
• Spinal Cord


  Ensures that signals from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body via the PNS
• Functions of the peripheral nervous system


  • Relays messages from the CNS to the rest of the body
• Functions of the somatic nervous system


  • Transmits and receives messages from senses
  • Directs the muscles to move appropriately
• Sections of the autonomic nervous system

  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System
• Sympathetic Nervous System


  Stimulates biological functions such as heart rate, preparing the body for the FoF response
• Parasympathetic Nervous System


  Slows biological functions such as heart rate, involved in recovering the body from the FoF response
• Endocrine System


  Releases hormones into the bloodstream required to regulate many of the bodily functions
• Adrenaline


  Adrenal glands release adrenaline as part of the FoF
• Lack of complete understanding of the FoF process, varied behavioural response hence gender bias
• FoF is not adaptive as high levels of modern stressors have positive effects on health and wellbeing
• Human response to stress is more complex and varied
• Hormones


  Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and only affect target organs, produced in large quantities and can be very powerful, control ongoing internal functions and enable our bodies to react according to changes in the environment
• Pituitary Gland


  The 'master gland' which secretes several hormones into the bloodstream in response to body conditions, controls the production and release of other hormones from other glands in the endocrine system, controlled by the hypothalamus
• Hormones secreted by the pituitary gland

  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • Adrenocortical trophic hormone (ACTH)
  • Oxytocin
• Pineal Gland


  Releases melatonin which is responsible for important biological rhythms, including the sleep-wake cycle, receives information from the environment about the light-dark cycle which influences the production and secretion of melatonin
• Thyroid Gland


  Plays a role in controlling heart, muscle and digestive function, brain development and bone maintenance, releases thyroxine which is responsible for regulating our metabolism through other organs like the liver and kidneys
• Pancreas Gland


  Plays a significant role in digestion by producing enzymes to break down food and hormones to help regulate blood-sugar levels and appetite, produces the main hormone insulin which helps the body break down glucose properly
• Parts of the adrenal gland

  • Adrenal medulla
  • Adrenal cortex
• Adrenal medulla


  Releases adrenaline and noradrenalin which play a key role in 'fight or flight' response
• Adrenal cortex


  Releases cortisol which stimulates the release of glucose while suppressing the immune system
• Testes

  Release androgens, including the main hormone testosterone, responsible for the development of male sex characteristics during puberty
• Ovaries


  Release oestrogen which controls the regulation of the female reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and pregnancy
• Types of neurons


  • Sensory
  • Motor
  • Relay
• Sensory neurons


  Send information to the brain regarding the senses, carry information from the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) towards the Central Nervous System (CNS)