Biopsychology

Question 1

nervous system is broken down into the ___________ and the __________. ___________ is broken into the Brain and _______________. the ____________ Nervous system is broken down into somatic NS and __________ Ns (which is further broken down into ________ and ________)

Answer 1

nervous system is broken down into the Central NS and the Peripheral NS. Central NS is broken into the Brain and nervous system. The Peripheral Nervous system is broken down into somatic NS and autonomic Ns (which is further broken down into sympathetic NS and Parasympathetic NS)

Question 2

Functions of primary internal communication system

Answer 2

collect process and respond to information in the environment
coordinate working of different organs and cells in the body

Question 3

Nervous system is broken down into…

Answer 3

PNS-Peripheral nervous system
CNS-Central nervous system

Question 4

describe the CNS

Answer 4

Brain-centre of all conscious awareness and is involved in psychological processes
Brains outer layer controls mental functions such as perception/memory/lang

Spinal Cord- Transfers messages to and from the brain to the rest of the body
Allows the brain to monitor and regulate bodily processes eg. breathing

Nerve cells contained for simple reflex actions without direct involvement from the brain

Question 5

Describe the Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
further divided into ___________ NS and _______________ NS

Answer 5

portion of nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord.
connects brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This is accomplished through nerves.

further divided into Autonomic NS and Somatic NS

Question 6

describe the subdivision of the Peripheral NS
- Autonomic nervous system

Answer 6

Autonomic Nervous System-
Homeostasis (maintaining internal processes unconsciously)
Not consciously aware
only consists of motor pathways and has 2 components
Sympathetic NS: fight or flight in case of emergency it slows down less important bodily processes

Parasympathetic NS: returns to normal resting state once the emergency has passed
Leads to decreased arousal once the emergency has passed

Question 7

Describe the subdivision of the Peripheral NS
Somatic Nervous System-

Answer 7

Maintains communication between CNS and outside world
carries sensory information from the body to the brain
essential for conscious activities e.g. walking

SNS consists of:

Sensory receptors: carry info to spinal cord and brain.

Motor pathways: allows for brain to control movement.

Muscle responses via motor pathways allowing us to respond to the environment.

Question 8

Describe the endocrine system

Answer 8

Works along NS and regulates activity of organs within the body.
network of glands that secrete chemical messages- hormones.
Uses blood vessels to transport hormones to specific organs

pituitary gland is the master gland because it controls the release of hormones from other endocrine glands

Hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland and stimulates/controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland

Question 9

Describe 2 adrenal glands, main hormone released and their effect

Answer 9

Adrenal medulla: Adrenaline- pupils dilate, fight or flight response triggered
constricts blood vessels increasing blood pressure

Adrenal cortex: Cortisol- stimulates release of glucose to provide the body with energy whilst also supressing immune response

Question 10

Describe 2 glands other than Adrenal, hormone released and effect

Answer 10

Thyroid Gland- Thyroxine: regulates body metabolism, speed at which the body uses energy.

Pineal Gland- Melatonin: Circadian Rhythm and regulating sleep patterns.

Question 11

The fight or flight response involves 2 major systems. identify and outline them

Answer 11

SAM- The Sympathomedullary Pathway
process within sympathetic branch of autonomic NS and deals with acute short term immediate stressors such as upcoming exams.. once the stressor is removed the stress over

PAS- The Pituitary-Adrenal System
Deals with chronic, long term, ongoing stressors, these are experienced daily

Question 12

Role of Hypothalamus is . . .

Answer 12

to control bodily functions including the release of hormones from the pituitary gland

Question 13

Role of the Amygdala is . . .

Answer 13

they are a collection of cells near the base of the brain that helps regulate emotional responses

Question 14

Role of Limbic system

Answer 14

involves behavioural and emotional responses especially when it comes to behaviours we need for survival.

Question 15

outline the biological processes taking place during fight or flight

Answer 15

1. HYPOTHALAMUS- stressor is perceived. Amygdala is activated and it sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus then activates the pituitary gland which activates the sympathomedullary pathway.
2. SYMPATHETIC NS- runs to the adrenal medulla and sympathetic NS and deals with acute short term stress
3. ADRENAL MEDULLA- adrenal medulla then secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood stream

4.ADRNEALINE AND NORADRENALINE- hormones trigger physiological changes in the body. eg increasing heart rate.

5. Following fight or flight- parasympathetic response tiggered where heart rate lowers.

Question 16

Evaluation AO3 for fight or flight

Answer 16

Gender differences-
females adopt a befriend and tend approach
Taylor et al- women more likely to protect their offspring and form alliances with other women

Counter intuitive to have the FandF reaction and running away may be a sign of weakness and put offspring in danger

Is the response still useful today when unlike our ancestors we no longer face life threatening situations. Having a sympathetic NS that is overly active because of the stress increases blood pressure repeatedly which can cause damage to blood vessels leading to heart disease.

fight and flight is a maladaptive response in modern day life- now allowing us to adjust adequately to an environment/situation

Question 17

nerve cells that process and ___________ messages through electrical and ___________ signals re called ____________.

Answer 17

nerve cells that process and TRANSMIT messages through electrical and CHEMICAL signals are called NEURONS.

Question 18

_______________ Neurons carry information from the PNS to CNS.

Answer 18

SENSORY Neurons carry information from the PNS to CNS.

Question 19

_______________ Neurons connect CNS to effectors such as muscles or glands

Answer 19

MOTOR Neuros connect CNS to effectors such as muscles or glands

Question 20

_____________ Neurons connect ______________ Neurons with motor neurons.

Answer 20

RELAY Neurons connect SENSORY Neurons with motor neurons.

Question 21

____________ _____________ is the process by which one neuron communicates with another

Answer 21

SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION is the process by which one neuron communicates with another

Question 22

role of dendrite

Answer 22

branchlike structure which receives information from other neurons and transmits electrical signals to cell body

Question 23

role of axon

Answer 23

carries nerve impulses in the form of an electrical signal known as an action potential, away from the cell body towards the axon terminals

Question 24

Role of myelin sheath

Answer 24

Insulates/protects the axon and speeds up the transmission of the nerve impulse down the axon (allows for quicker communication between neurons)

Question 25

role of schwann Cells

Answer 25

cells of the peripheral nervous system that produce the mylein sheath around neuronal axons

Question 26

role of the nodes of Ranvier

Answer 26

these speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to jump a

Question 27

role of axon terminal

Answer 27

this is where neurotransmitters are released and passed to surrounding neurons

Question 28

Function of Sensory Neurons: Found in _____________ and ___________ receptors. They carry nerve impulses to the ___________. Translated into sensations.

Answer 28

Function of Sensory Neurons: Found in PNS and SENSORY receptors. They carry nerve impulses to the . Translated into sensations EG. Vision

Question 29

structure of sensory neurones: ___________________ Dendrites and ______________ Axons. Has/No _____________ ______________ to...

Answer 29

structure of sensory neurones: LONG Dendrites and SHORT Axons. Has MYELIN SHEATH to SPEED UP ELECTRICAL IMPULSES

Question 30

Function of relay neuron: Found in the __________ and ________________. Receives information from _____________ and passes it on to ___________________

Answer 30

Function of relay neuron: Found in the and BRAIN and SPINAL CORD. Receives information from SENSORY neurons and passes it on to MOTOR neurons.

Question 31

Structure of Relay neurons: _______________ Dendrites and _____________ axons. This is so that information has less... Has/No _____________ _____________

Answer 31

Structure of Relay neurons: SHORT Dendrites SHORT axons. This is so that information has less... Has/No MYELIN SHEATH

Question 32

Function of Motor neuron: Found in _________ and controls Muscle movements When stimulated they release _______________________ that bind to the receptors on _____________ to trigger a response

Answer 32

Function of Motor neuron: Found in CNS and controls Muscle movements When stimulated they release Neurotransmitters that bind to the receptors on MUSCLES to trigger a response

Question 33

Structure of Motor Neurone: ______________ Dendrites and _______________ Axons. Has/No ___________ Sheath

Answer 33

Structure of Motor Neurone: SHORT Dendrites and LONG Axons. Has/No MYELIN Sheath

Question 34

Describe the Knee jerk reflex

Answer 34

A stimulus is detected by sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system. Sensory neurons pass on information to the CNS where it connects to a relay neuron. Relay neurons then transfer the message to the motor neurons which carry the message to an effector- eg. a muscle. This causes the muscle to contract and the knee to jerk

Question 35

describe charges in neurons: At resting state the inside of the cell is __________ charged compared to the outside when the neuron is activated by a ________ the inside becomes __________ charged for a second causing an __________ _____________ to occur. this creates an electrical impulse that travels down the _____________ towards the end of the neuron.

Answer 35

at resting state the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside when the neuron is activated by a stimulus the inside becomes + charged for a second causing an action potential to occur. This creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards the end of the neuron

Question 36

Synaptic transcription: The process by which one neuron communicates with another. Information passed down the axon is known as __________ ___________. Once it arrives at the terminal button at the end of an axon, it needs to be transferred to another neuron. It must cross the gap between the ____________ and ____________ neuron- the synapse.

Answer 36

Synaptic transcription: The process by which one neuron communicates with another. Information passed down the axon is known as action potential. Once it arrives at the terminal button at the end of an axon, it needs to be transferred to another neuron. It must cross the gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron- the synapse.

Question 37

At the end of the neuron , the axon terminal there are synaptic ___________. They contain chemical messengers known as __________________. When electrical impulse/_________ _________ reaches them, they release ______________. ______________ carry the signal across the synaptic gap. They _________ to receptor sites on the ________ ___________ cell.

Answer 37

At the end of the neuron , the axon terminal there are synaptic VESICLES. They contain chemical messengers known as NEUROTRANSMITTERS . When electrical impulse/ACTION POTENTIAL reaches them, they release NEUROTRANSMITTERS . NEUROTRANSMITTERS carry the signal across the synaptic gap. They BIND to receptor sites on the POST SYNAPTIC cell.

Question 38

__________ take signals to the synapse and ______________ take signals away. Here chemical messages are converted into an electrical _________________

Answer 38

AXONS take signals to the synapse and DENDRITES take signals away. Here chemical messages are converted into an electrical IMPULSES

Question 39

Direction of travel can only be in one direction because neurotransmitters are released from _____________ at the end of the _____________ neuron terminal and are received by the _____________________ neuron at the receptor site

Answer 39

Direction of travel can only be in one direction because neurotransmitters are released from VESICLES at the end of the PRESYNAPTIC neuron terminal and are received by the POSTSYNAPTIC neuron at the receptor site

Question 40

Excitatory neurotransmitters have a ____________ charge that make it ________ likely the next neuron will fire.

Answer 40

Excitatory neurotransmitters have a POSITIVE charge that make it MORE likely the next neuron will fire.

Question 41

Inhibitory neurotransmitters have a ______________ charge making it _________ likely the next neuron will fire

Answer 41

Inhibitory neurotransmitters have a NEGATIVE charge making it LESS likely the next neuron will fire

Question 42

Example of excitatory neurotransmitter hormone

Answer 42

adrenaline- causes excitation of the presynaptic neuron by increasing its positive charge

Question 43

Example of inhibitory neurotransmitter hormone

Answer 43

Serotonin causes inhibition in receiving neuron resulting in the neurone becoming more negatively charged

Question 44

The addition of positive and negative post-synaptic potentials is called ______________. Nerve cells can receive + and - simultaneously, these potentials are summed up to a ______ _____________

Answer 44

The addition of positive and negative post-synaptic potentials is called SUMMATION. Nerve cells can receive + and - simultaneously, these potentials are summed up to a NET EFFECT

Question 45

outline the process of synaptic transmission in 7 steps

Answer 45

Nerve impulse travels down axon. Nerve impulses reach the synaptic terminal. This triggers the release of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are fired into the synaptic gap. Neurotransmitter binds with receptors on the dendrite of the adjacent neuron. The message will continue to be passed in this way via electrical impulses.