Biopsychology Flashcards
(9 cards)
Nervous system
The nervous system is a specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system.
It has two main functions:
- To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
- To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.
It is divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
Central nervous system
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions.
It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS.
Brain
The centre of all conscious awareness.
The cerebral cortex is highly developed in humans and is what distinguished out higher mental functions from those of animals.
It is divided into two hemispheres.
Spinal cord
An extension of the brain.
It is responsible for reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate.
Peripheral nervous system
Sends information to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body.
It does this via millions of neurons (nerve cells) and is divided into the ANS and SNS.
Somatic nervous system
Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS.
It also receives information from the CNS that direct muscles to contract.
Controls muscles movement and receives information from sensory receptors.
Autonomic nervous system
Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs.
It is ‘autonomic’ as the system operates involuntarily.
It has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Governs viral functions of the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses.
Parasympathetic nervous system
A division of the ANS which controls the relaxed state (rest and digest), conserving resources and promoting digestion and metabolism.
The parasympathetic branch works in opposition to the sympathetic branch of the ANS.
One or the other is active at any time.
Sympathetic nervous system
A division of the ANS which activated internal organs for vigorous activities and emergencies, such as the fight or flight response.
It consists of nerves that control, for example, increased heart rate and breathing, and decreased digestive activity.
The sympathetic branch works in opposition to the parasympathetic branch of the ANS.
