biopsychology Flashcards
(46 cards)
What are the two main components of the nervous system?
Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS sends information to and from the CNS.
What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?
The brain and the spinal cord
The CNS is the origin of all complex commands.
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
Sends information to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands
The PNS connects the CNS to the limbs and organs.
What is the role of the somatic nervous system?
Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS and directs muscles to act
It is part of the peripheral nervous system.
What does the autonomic nervous system control?
Internal bodily organs; it operates involuntarily
The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic.
Define the endocrine system.
A major information system that instructs glands to release hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones carried to target organs in the body have significant effects.
What is a gland?
An organ in the body that synthesizes substances such as hormones
Glands are part of the endocrine system.
What are hormones?
Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and affect target organs
Hormones are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly.
What is the fight or flight response?
The physiological response of an animal when stressed, preparing the body to fight or flee
It involves multiple bodily systems working together.
What is adrenaline?
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is part of the immediate stress response system
Adrenaline stimulates heart rate, contracts blood vessels, and dilates air passages.
What is a neuron?
The basic building blocks of the nervous system that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
Neurons are essential for communication within the nervous system.
What do sensory neurons do?
Carry messages from the PNS to the CNS; they have long dendrites and short axons
Sensory neurons help in sensing external stimuli.
What is the function of relay neurons?
Connect sensory neurons to motor or other relay neurons; they have short dendrites and short axons
Relay neurons play a critical role in processing information.
What do motor neurons connect to?
Connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands; they have short dendrites and long axons
Motor neurons are responsible for initiating movement.
What is synaptic transmission?
The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap (the synapses) that separates them.
What is a neurotransmitter?
Brain chemicals released from the synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.
What are the two broad categories of neurotransmitters?
- Excitatory
- Inhibitory
What does excitation refer to in neurotransmission?
When a neurotransmitter, such as adrenaline, increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron.
What is inhibition in the context of neurotransmission?
When a neurotransmitter, such as serotonin, increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron.
Define localisation of function.
The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes or activities.
What is the motor area of the brain responsible for?
Regulating movement.
What does the somatosensory area process?
Sensory information such as touch.
What is the role of the visual area in the brain?
Receives and processes visual information.
Where is the auditory area located and what does it analyze?
Located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of speech-based information.
