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Psychology > Biopsychology (AS) > Flashcards

Biopsychology (AS) Flashcards

1
Q

Define a neuron

A

A specialised cell of the nervous system

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2
Q

Define Synapse

A

Gaps between two neurons, which an impulse travels across

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3
Q

Define neurotransmitter

A

Chemical substance that helps the chemical messengers across the synaptic cleft

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4
Q

Define a sensory neuron

Describe its specialisation in structure

A

Transmits impulses from a receptor (5 senses), to the CNS

Structure:

  • Has receptors
  • The cell body and nucleus sticks out the side
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5
Q

Define a Relay neuron

Describe its specialisation in structure

A

Nerve cell in the CNS which passes signal between the sensory and motor neurons

Structure:
- Much shorter than the other neurons

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6
Q

Define a motor neuron

Describe its specialisation structure

A

Nerve cell that carries electrical impulses from the CNS to the muscle fibres (effector)

Structure:

  • Motor=movement
  • Muscle fibres at the end of the motor neuron
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7
Q

Define fight or flight response

A

State of physiological arousal when the body is prepared for action

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8
Q

Define Adrenalin

A

Hormone released as part of the fight or flight response

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9
Q

Define genotype

A

The genetic make up of an individual, including things that can be seen.

E.g. XX, XY

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10
Q

Define phenotype

A

Refers to observable, physical characteristics of an organism

E.g. Male, blonde hair

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11
Q

Nervous system can be divided into 2 major parts:

A

Central nervous system (CNS)

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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12
Q

Describe the CNS

A
  • Made up of the brain and spinal cord

- CNS is concerted to the rest of the body by the PNS

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13
Q

Describe the PNS

A
  • Made up of nerves, carrying messages back and fourth between the CNS and the muscles, organs and senses in the periphery of the body
  • The PNS has 2 subdivisions: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
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14
Q

Describe the Somatic nervous system

A
  • Responsible for voluntary movement and for sensing external stimuli
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15
Q

Describe the autonomic nervous system

A
  • Regulates functions that are not consciously controlled.
    E.g. breathing, heart rate, fight or flight
  • Made up of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
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16
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system

A
  • Prepares the body for physical action
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17
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system

A

Puts the body into a relax state, to conserve resources

18
Q

What is homeostasis

A
  • A state of equilibrium in the body

- Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together to maintain body’s homeostasis

19
Q

What are dendrites and where are they

A

These receive the nerve impulse from adjacent neurons

  • They’re at the end of the neuron (where the cell body is)
20
Q

What’s the axon

A

Where the electrical signals pass along

21
Q

What’s the myelin sheath

A

Insulates the axon so that the electrical impulse is not lost to the surroundings

22
Q

What’s the synaptic terminals

A

Send signals to an adjacent cell as a chemical message

23
Q

Describe the synaptic transmission process

A

1) Electrical impulse enters the Axon Terminal
2) Vesicles therefore release neurotransmitter
3) Neurotransmitter travels across the synaptic cleft
4) Neurotransmitter are taken up by the receptors
5) Transfers the impulse from chemical back to electrical, down to the muscle

24
Q

Describe the process of the electrical impulse (where it travels through) and how

A

The receptors of a neuron receive the chemical impulse. Info is then carried around body via the long part of the neuron called the Axon. The Myelin Sheath acts to insulate the Axon. At end of neuron are the Axon Terminals. This is where the impulse is converted into a chemical message and passed across the Synapse to an adjacent cell.

25
Q

What’s an excitatory neurotransmitter

A

Increases the chances of an adjacent cell producing an electrical impulse

26
Q

What’s an inhibitory neurotransmitter

A

Decreases the chances of an adjacent cell producing an electrical impulse

27
Q

What’s a reflex action

A

A reflex is an automatic response to a stimulus that does not involve the brain

28
Q

Draw a reflex action flow chart

A

Stimulus—> Pain receptors->Sensory neuron
(Pin In skin). /
Muscle fibres

29
Q

What’s an afferent neuron

What’s an efferent neuron

A
  • Afferent= A nerve carrying a message towards the CNS

- Efferent= A nerve carrying a message away from the CNS, towards the effector (Muscle)

30
Q

Name the 6 organs affected by fight or flight response

A 
Digestive system 
Heart 
Liver 
Bladder
Eyes
Muscles
31
Q

Explain how the digestive system, heart and liver are affected by the sympathetic nervous system during fight or flight and how it is helpful

A
  • Digestive system= Inhibits motility (slows down digestive system)- therefore more blood supply for something else
  • Heart= Heart rate increases, vasoconstriction and vasodilation of arterioles- more oxygenated blood to the working muscles
  • Liver= Releases Glucose- Sugar in blood, more energy
32
Q

Explain how the bladder, eyes and muscles are affected by the sympathetic nervous system during fight or flight and how it is useful

A

Bladder= Relaxes bladder- Less weight, can run quicker

Eyes= Dilates pupils- Can see clearer

Muscles= More oxygen and energy in the muscles- Work for longer

33
Q

How does the fight or flight response come about

A

1) The hypothalamus in the brain detects a threat
2) It sends a message to the adrenal gland (above kidneys)
3) Adrenalin is released

34
Q

What is Phenylketonuria (known as PKU)

A

An inherited disorder in which sufferers cannot break down a dietary amino acid called phenylalanine

35
Q

What’s the result of phenylalanine not being broken down

A

Builds up in the tissues of the body causing impairments of brain function, seizures and facial deformity

36
Q

Is a person who suffers from PKU have a normal phenotype

A

Untreated children exhibit normal phenotypes at birth, but fail to attain early develop,entail milestones, and go on to develop other symptoms

37
Q

When does PKU become apparent and why

A

In early childhood as toxic levels of the chemical (phenylalanine) build up in the body over time

38
Q

How are baby’s tested for PKU

A

Blood is taken from the heel of a newborn baby and tested for the presence of the disease

39
Q

Can a baby with PKU grow up with normal development

A

Yes, a newborn can grow up with normal development by controlling Phenylalanine levels through diet

40
Q

What’s an intervention, in terms of PKU

A

Action taken to improve a medical disorder (PKU). Can do this by controlling phenylalanine levels through diet

41
Q

What is your eye genotype
What is your eye phenotype

What is your sex phenotype
What is your sex genotype

A

Phenotype for eyes= Blue eyes
Genotype for eyes= bb

Sex phenotype= Male
Sex genotype= XY

Psychology (16 decks)

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