Biopsychology Flashcards
(no ao3) (54 cards)
What is the nervous system?
a specialized network of cells that is the primary mode of communication
What is the nervous system made up of?
The peripheral and central nervous systems
How does the nervous system communicate?
Via electrical impulses
What are the 2 main functions of the nervous system?
-collect, process, and respond to environmental stimuli
-coordinate the working of different organs and systems in the body
What is the function of the central nervous system?
It is the origin of all complex commands and functions
What is the CNS made up of?
The spinal cord and brain
What is the function of the brain?
It is the center of all conscious awareness
What are the 3 functions of the spinal cord?
-It’s responsible for reflex actions
-It passes messages to and from the brain
-It connects the nerves to the PNS
What are the 2 functions of the peripheral nervous system?
-To send info from our outside world to the CNS and then from the CNS to our glands
-To transmit messages to and from CNS through neurons
What are the 2 divisions of the peripheral system?
The autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system
What is the function of the somatic nervous system? and what is it responsible for
It controls voluntary muscle movement
Is responsible for receiving info from our senses and sending it to CNS and transmitting info from CNS to effector organs
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
It controls vital functions in the body such as breathing and stress responses that are involuntary
What are 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
The sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
It prepares the body for fight or flight mode in the face of stress
What are the symptoms of the sympathetic nervous system activated?
-inc heart rate
-inc breathing rate
-dilated pupils
-inc blood pressure
-digestion stops
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
It regulates the body’s functions to conserve energy
(rest and digest)
What are the symptoms when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?
-dec heart rate
-dec breathing rate
-constricted pupils
-dec blood pressure
-digestion starts
What is the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system?
(to do with which is active when)
antagonistic
(one or the other is active they can’t both be at the same time)
Explain a difference in the autonomic and stomatic nervous system
Our somatic nervous system involves things you can consciously sense and do. Your autonomic nervous system works without you thinking about it
Explain one difference in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system carries signals that put your body’s systems on alert, your parasympathetic carries signals that relax those systems.
Explain one difference between the central and peripheral nervous system
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and extend to all parts of the body.
What is the function of the endocrine system?
It controls vital functions in the body by instructing glands to release hormones into the bloodstream which are carried to the effector organs
What are 2 differences between the endocrine and nervous system?
The endocrine is slower and more widespread than the nervous system, which means it takes longer but the effects last longer
The endocrine system uses chemical signaling (hormones, produced by glands) while the nervous system uses electrical signaling (neural impulses)
Define glands
Organs that produce hormones
