The central nervous system

• In terms of nature/nurture, what is biological psychology?

  Nature
• What two main subsytems is the nervous system divided into?

  The central nervous system (CNS) and The peripheral nervous system (PNS).
• What is the CNS made up of

  The brain and the spinal cord.
• What is the spinal cord?

  • A tube-like extension of the brain.
  • Connects to the brain via the brain stem.
  • Responsible for reflex actions.
  • Passes messages to and from the brain.
• What is the brain divided into?

  Two near - symmetrical hemispheres, connected by a group of structures; the main one being the corpus collasum.
• The brains control of the body is generally contralateral, this means?


  The left hemisphere controls activity on the right side of the body while the right hemisphere controls activity on the left side.
• What is the cerebral cortex?

  • The outer layer of the brain.
  • Highly developed in humans and distinguishes our mental functioning from animals.
  • About 3mm thick and covers inner parts of brain.
• What is cortical?

  Belonging to the cortex.
• What is subcortical?


  Below the cortex.