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Psychology paper 2
Biopsychology
2. The endocrine system
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Glands
An organ in the body that synthesises
hormones
and
secretes
them
Thyroid gland
Neck
, secretes
thyroxine
, controls the rate of metabolic reactions and increases heart rate
Adrenal gland
On top of each
kidney
, secretes
adrenaline
, responsible for our fight or flight responses
Testes
Scrotum, secretes
testosterone
in men, allows for male development - growing body hair, deepening of
voice
and maturation of muscles
Pituitary gland
Brain, 'master gland', controls the release of
hormones
from all other
endocrine
glands in the body
Fight
or
flight
response
The body's way of preparing. Becoming ready to fight an
aggressor
or
flee
Adrenaline
Released by
adrenal glands
and a part of the body's
immediate
stress response
What happens after the fight or flight response?
Once threat has passed,
parasympathetic
nervous
system
returns the body to
normal
resting state
Parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
Work in
opposite
-
antagonistic
The endocrine system
One of the body's
major
information systems
Works alongside the
nervous system
to control
vital function
in the body.
Instructs glands to release
hormones
directly into the
bloodstream
Hormones carried toward target organs in the body
Communication is via
chemicals
Hormones
Chemical
substances that circulate through the
bloodstream
and only affect target cells
Produced in large quantities but
disappear
quickly AND Effects are very
powerful
Psychological changes triggered by adrenaline
Dilates
pupils - focus on stressful situation
Diverts
blood to muscles - they increase blood flow and allow for muscle contraction
High
blood-glucose level
Increase
blood pressure
Increased
heart rate
Process of fight or flight response
Works with the
autonomic nervous system
- ANS
Stressor
perceived
Hypothalamus
triggers activity in the
sympathetic
part of the ANS
ANS changes from
normal resting state
to
aroused state
Stress hormone -
adrenaline
released from adrenal medulla (part of the adrenal gland) into
blood stream
Triggers
psychological
changes
Happens in an
instant
-
acute response