Biopsych flash cards

• The influence of biological structures on behaviour:

  The divisions of the nervous systems
• Central nervous system (CNS)


  This system compromises of the brain and the spinal cord and its main job is to maintain life.
• Peripheral nervous system (PNS)


  This system includes all the nervous system throughout the rest of the body. It transmits messages to the whole body from the brain and vice versa. It has two divisions: the somatic and the autonomic system.
• The somatic system


  Transmits information to and from senses and to and from the central nervous system.
• The autonomic system


  Transmits information to and from the internal organs to sustain life processes. It is divided into sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous systems
• sympathetic nervous system


  which generally increases bodily activities
• parasympatheitc nervous system


  generally maintains or decreases bodily activities
• neurons


  receive information and transmit it to other cells. There are three main types of neurons all of which have a different role to play.
• Synaptic transmission


  The process by which nerve impulses are carried across the small gap, the synapse, between one neuron and another. The nerve impulse is an electrical signal which is carried by chemicals called neurotransmitters.

  
• Excitatory potentials


  Increase the chance of a neuron firing
• Inhibitory potentials


  Decrease the chance of a neuron firing
• The endocrine system


  Has a series of glands which release chemicals throughout the body via the blood and other bodily fluids. This communicates messages to the organs of the body.
• Pituitary gland


  Some of the hormones released are important for regulating the endocrine system
• Adrenal gland


  An important part of the fight or flight response as it facilitates the release of adrenaline
• Testes


  They facilitate the release of testosterone
• Ovaries


  They facilitate the release of oestrogen and progesterone
• Hypothalamus


  A part of the brain which is located in the center of the brain and deals with basic survival functions
• Adrenal gland


  The gland in the adrenal system that releases adrenaline
• The fight or flight response

  is generated from the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic branch. it is a reflex response designed to help individuals to react quicker than normal and facilitates optimal functioning so they can fight the threat or run away from it
• step 1 of fight or flight response

  the hypothalamus recognizes that there is a threat and sends a message to the adrenal gland
• step 2 of the fight or flight response

  the adrenal gland specifically the adrenal medulla triggers the release of adrenaline
• step 3 of the fight or flight response

  Adrenaline is released to the endocrine system and noradrenaline in the brain which prompts physical changes in the body.
• increased heart rate


  to speed up blood flow to vital organs and improve the spread of adrenaline around the body
• faster breathing


  to increase oxygen intaje
• muscle tension


  to improve reaction time and speed
• pupil dilation


  to improve vision
• production of sweat


  facilitate temperature regulation
• reduced functioning of digestive and immune systems

  to save energy for prioritised functions such as running
• neurons


  recieve information and transmit it to other cells. they are essential parts in a massive communication system within the body
• sensory neuron


  these neurons tell the rest of the brain about the external and internal enviornment by processing information taken by the senses
• relay neuron


  relay neurons carry messages from one part of the CNS to another. They connect motor and sensory neurons
• motor neuron


  carries signals from the CNS which help both organs and muscles
• synaptic transmission


  the process by which nerve impulses are carried across the synapse between one neuron and another. The nerve impulse is an electrical signal which is carried by chemicals called neurotransmitters. This occurs at high speed

  
• excitatory potentials


  make it more likely for the neuron to fire
• inhibitory potentials


  make it less likely to fire and if the message is likely to be stopped at the post synaptic neuron it is called an inhibitory synapse
• localisation


  in terms of the brain this means the part of the brain in which a function is carried out
• hemispheric lateralisation


  when one hemisphere carries out a particular action
• what hemisphere is language processing mainly performed in

  left hemisphere
• what areas are found in the left hemisphere

  brocas area and wernicke's area
• what hemisphere is particularly dominant for recognising emotions in others and spatial information

  the right hemisphere