Biopsychology

Question 1

Outline the function of the nervous system

Answer 1

The nervous system refers to a specialised network of cells, known as neurons. These neurons collect, process and respond to information in the environment through the control of organs and muscles

Question 2

What is the role of the sensory neuron

Answer 2

to collect information from the sensory organs and carry this message to relay neurons in the brain

Question 3

What is the role of the relay neuron

Answer 3

analyses the sensations and decide how to respond. They then send the message to the motor neurons

Question 4

What is the role of the motor neurons

Answer 4

connects with skeletal muscles to allow for a physical response

Question 5

What are the two components of the central nervous system

Answer 5

The central nervous system comprises of the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 6

Explain the role of the brain in the central nervous system

Answer 6

Plays a role in psychological processes (e.g. visual and auditory perception) and higher mental functions (e.g. decision making and language)

Question 7

Explain the role of the spinal cord

Answer 7

Transmits info to and from the brain to allow it to monitor bodily processes like breathing and to control voluntary movements as well as reflex responses

Question 8

What are the two components of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 8

The autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system

Question 9

What is the role of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 9

involved in unconscious involuntary life-maintaining processes such as heart rate through the control of internal organs. It comprises of only motor pathways. The autonomic system carries commands from the brain stem

Question 10

What is the role of the somatic nervous system

Answer 10

connects the central nervous system with the senses and is involved in conscious voluntary movements through the control of skeletal muscles. It comprises if sensory and motor pathways. The somatic system carries commands from the motor cortex in the brain

Question 11

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 11

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Question 12

What is the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 12

it responds to perceived threats by producing physiological changes that prepare your body for flight or fight response

Question 13

What is the parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 13

restores normal physiological functioning once a threat has passed to conserve energy. This is done by decreasing heart rate and the body going back to normal

Question 14

What is the parietal lobe for

Answer 14

processes touch sensations

Question 15

What is the occipital lobe for

Answer 15

processes visual information

Question 16

What is cerebellum for

Answer 16

co-ordination and balance

Question 17

What is brain stem for

Answer 17

regulates breathing and heart rate

Question 18

What is the temporal lobe for

Answer 18

processes auditory information

Question 19

What is the frontal lobe for

Answer 19

decision making and problem solving

Question 20

What are neurons

Answer 20

they are cells of the nervous system which process, transmit messages around the body through electrical and chemical impulses

Question 21

What are electrical impulses

Answer 21

refer to how signals are sent with a neuron i.e an action potential is transmitted along a neuron’s axon

Question 22

What are chemical impulses

Answer 22

refers to how signals are sent between neurons i.e neurotransmitters are released from one neuron that then communicates with another

Question 23

How do neurons communicate

Answer 23

by forming neural pathways

Question 24

What are the 7 key components of a neuron

Answer 24

Dendrites, myelin sheath, nodes of ranvier, cell body, nucleus, axon and axon terminal

Question 25

What is the role of dendrites

Answer 25

receives signals from other neurons

Question 26

What is the role of cell body

Answer 26

contains the nucleus

Question 27

What is the role of the nucleus

Answer 27

contains the genetic information of the cell

Question 28

What is the role of the axon

Answer 28

carries action potentials towards the end of the neuron

Question 29

What is the role of the axon terminal

Answer 29

triggers the release of neurotransmitters and these chemicals communicate with other neurons by binding to receptors

Question 30

What is the role of the nodes of ranvier

Answer 30

speed up the transmission of an action potential by allowing it to jump between the gaps

Question 31

What is the role of the myelin sheath

Answer 31

helps protect the axon and speeds up action potentials

Question 32

Outline the location and function of sensory neurons

Answer 32

location = the somatic division of the PNS function = converts stimuli detected by sensory organs into electrical impulses. This info is then transmitted towards the relay neurons in the CNS where its processed

Question 33

Outline the location and function of the relay neuron

Answer 33

location = the CNS function = the thinking, feeling and deciding neuron that transmits info within the CNS. Analyses sensations and decides how to respond. Sends this decision to motor neurons

Question 34

Outline the location and function of the motor neuron

Answer 34

location = the somatic and autonomic divsions of the PNS function = transmits messages about desired movement from relay neurons away from the CNS to skeletal muscles thus allowing for movement. Also connects with organs and gland for bodily processes

Question 35

What is synaptic transmission

Answer 35

refers to the process in which neurons communicate with one another via transmitters

Question 36

What is the process of synaptic transmission

Answer 36

An action potential reaches the axon terminal, causing neurotransmitter release into the synaptic gap. These bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, leading to: • Excitation: Excitatory neurotransmitters create excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), increasing positive charge and making firing more likely. • Inhibition: Inhibitory neurotransmitters create inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs), increasing negative charge and reducing firing likelihood. The neuron fires if EPSPs outweigh IPSPs. Neurotransmitters are broken down or reabsorbed after use.

Question 37

What is the process of synaptic transmission

Answer 37

An action potential reaches the axon terminal, causing neurotransmitter release into the synaptic gap. These bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, leading to: • Excitation: Excitatory neurotransmitters create excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), increasing positive charge and making firing more likely. • Inhibition: Inhibitory neurotransmitters create inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs), increasing negative charge and reducing firing likelihood. The neuron fires if EPSPs outweigh IPSPs. Neurotransmitters are broken down or reabsorbed after use.

Question 38

Outline the function of the endocrine system

Answer 38

It provides a chemical system of communication via the blood stream because it comprises of glands that secrete hormones into the blood. These hormones travel to target sites where they bind to specific receptors and they regulate many bodily functions

Question 39

Identify the pituitary gland the location, the hormone it secretes and the function.

Answer 39

Location: the brain A hormone is secretes: growth hormone Function: acts on many parts of the body to promote growth and muscle mass

Question 40

Identify the location of the pineal gland, a hormone it secretes and the function of the hormone

Answer 40

Location: the brain Hormone: Melationin Function: regulates the sleep wake cycle by causing feelings of tiredness

Question 41

Identify the location of the adrenal gland, the hormone and its function

Answer 41

Location: above the kidneys Hormone: Adrenaline Function: produces physiological changes seen in the fight or flight response

Question 42

Identify the location of the ovaries, the hormone and the function of the hormone

Answer 42

Location: female reproductive system Hormone: Oestrogen Function: develops female physical and psychological characteristics

Question 43

Identify the location of the testis, the hormone and its function

Answer 43

Location: male reproductive system Hormone: testosterone Function: develops male physical and psychological characteristics