Biopsychology

• What is the purpose of the human nervous system?

  To collect information and direct bodily actions
• What does the central nervous system (CNS) include?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  To transmit information to and from the CNS
• What are the two main divisions of the PNS?

  Autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
• What is the function of the somatic nervous system (SNS)?

  Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles
• What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) control?

  Actions of internal glands and involuntary functions
• What does the sympathetic system do?

  Increases bodily activities and prepares for action
• What is the role of the parasympathetic system?

  Decreases bodily activities and promotes rest
• What is homeostasis?

  Regulation of the internal environment
• What is the endocrine system?

  A collection of glands regulating bodily functions
• What hormone does the pituitary gland release?

  Controls the release of hormones from other glands
• What hormone does the hypothalamus produce?

  Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
• What is the function of the pineal gland?

  Produces melatonin to regulate sleep patterns
• What hormone does the thyroid gland produce?

  Thyroxine, which modulates metabolism
• What is the function of the adrenal glands?

  Regulate the fight or flight response
• What hormone do the ovaries produce?

  Estrogen, which develops secondary sexual characteristics
• What hormone do the testicles produce?

  Testosterone, which develops male characteristics
• What is the reflex arc?

  A pathway involving sensory, relay, and motor neurons
• What is the function of sensory neurons?

  To detect sensations and transmit signals
• What is the role of relay neurons?

  Transmit signals between sensory and motor neurons
• What do motor neurons do?

  Stimulate effector organs like muscles
• What is synaptic transmission?

  The process of passing chemical signals between neurons
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Chemical messages released by neurons
• What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

  Excitatory increase action potential likelihood; inhibitory decrease it
• What is depolarization?

  When the charge inside a neuron becomes more positive
• What is hyperpolarization?

  When the charge inside a neuron becomes more negative
• What is summation in neural communication?

  The combined effect of all influences on action potential
• Why is information passed unidirectionally in synapses?

  Due to the structure of the synapse
• What is the fight or flight response?

  An evolutionary mechanism preparing for extreme action
• What triggers the fight or flight response?

  Detection of a stressor by the hypothalamus
• What is the role of cortisol in the fight or flight response?

  It helps manage stress and energy levels
• What are the psychological effects of adrenaline?

  Increased anxiety, attention, and alertness
• What are the physical effects of adrenaline?

  Increased blood flow and faster breathing
• What is chronic stress?

  Long-term stress from frequent fight or flight triggers
• What is localization of function in the brain?

  Specific functions are performed in distinct brain regions
• What is contralateral control?

  Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body
• What is hemispheric lateralization?

  Each hemisphere specializes in different functions
• What is the function of Broca's area?

  Responsible for speech production
• What happens if Broca's area is damaged?

  Results in difficulty producing fluent speech
• What is the function of Wernicke's area?

  Responsible for speech comprehension