2.2: Biopsychology Flashcards
(27 cards)
Draw and label the key parts of a motor neuron
dendrite, nucleus, cell body, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminal, and direction of impulse
How do neurons communicate?
a gap between neurons, called the synapse, where chemical transmissions of electrical impulses occurs
Draw and label the key parts of a synaptic gap
pre- and post-synaptic neurons, vesicles, neurotransmitters, reuptake channels, synapse, receptor sites
Describe the process of synaptic transmission
vesicles bind to the pre-synaptic neuron and release lots of neurotransmitters into the synapse, neurotransmitters travel to receptor sites and bind to them where they release either an excitatory or inhibitory response, neurotransmitters may be taken back up by the reuptake channels
Explain the excitatory and inhibitory responses
excitatory - action potential is more likely to be triggered
inhibitory - action potential is less likely to be triggered
- summation decides the overall response
What is the only purely inhibitory neurotransmitter?
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
Describe the roles of motor, relay and sensory neurons
motor - send messages from the brain/CNS to the muscles
relay - connect with other neurons in the brain/CNS, thus acting between motor and sensory neurons
sensory - send information from the the sense to the brain/CNS
Draw a flow chart of the central nervous system
- central nervous system
1.1. peripheral nervous system
1.1.1. somatic nervous system
1.1.2. autonomic nervous system
1.1.2.1. parasympathetic nervous system
1.1.2.2. sympathetic nervous system
Which responses do the SNS and PSNS lead to?
SNS - fight or flight
PSNS - rest and digest
What is the endocrine system?
the network of glands in the body that release hormones that have various effects on the body
State the hormone released by thyroxine and its effect
thyroxine - regulates metabolic rate
State the hormone released by the adrenal medulla and its effect
adrenaline - fight or flight response (increases heart rate and blood flow to brain, releases stored glucose and fats for usage)
State the hormone released by the adrenal cortex and its effect
glucocorticoids - further release of stored glucose and fats for energy, suppression of the immune system, regulates water balance
State the hormone released by the testes and its effect
testosterone - development of male sexual characteristics at puberty, promotes muscle growth
State the hormones released by the ovaries and its effect
oestrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH - regulation of female reproductive system, menstrual cycle and pregnancy
State the hormone released by the pineal gland
melatonin - regulation of arousal, biological rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle
What is the pituitary gland?
the ‘master gland’, secretes hormones that control the secretion of other endocrine glands
What is the fight or flight response?
the body’s response to threat or danger that is designed to give us energy to respond quickly to a threat
What does the hypothalamus do in the fight or flight response?
activates the SNS and the pathways that go to the adrenal medulla
What are the direct effects of adrenaline?
- increases heart rate
- constricts blood vessels
- diverts blood away from the skin and digestive system
- increases blood to the brain
- increases respiration and sweating
What are the general effects of adrenaline?
- prepares the body for action
- increases both blood and oxygen supply to muscles
- increases oxygen to brain for rapid response planning
What is localisation?
the idea that specific functions have specific locations in the brain to perform them
State the four lobes of the brain
frontal, occipital, parietal and temporal
State the four cortices of the brain
motor, auditory, visual and sensory
