Biopsychology Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is the nervous system?
A specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system
What are the 2 main functions of the nervous system?
(1) to collect, process and respond to information in the environment
(2) to do-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What is the nervous system subdivided into?
(1) the central nervous system (CNS)
2) the peripheral nervous system (PNS
What is the central nervous system?
Consists of the brains and the spinal cords and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions
What is the function of the brain in the central nervous system?
It is the centre of all conscious awareness and it is divided into two hemispheres
What is the function of the spinal cord in the central nervous system?
It is responsible to reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate
What is the peripheral nervous system?
Sends informations to the central nervous system via millions of neurons
What is the peripheral nervous system further subdivided into?
(1) the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
2) the somatic nervous system (SNS
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
What is the autonomic nervous system further subdivided into?
(1) the sympathetic nervous system
(2) the parasympathetic nervous system
What is the endocrine system?
One of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream and these hormones are carried towards target organs in the body
What does the endocrine system work alongside?
The nervous system
How is the endocrine system different to the nervous system?
(1) slower
(2) more widespread and powerful effects
What are glands?
An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones
What are hormones?
Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and only affect target organs and they are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly and their effects are very powerful
What is the most major endocrine gland?
The pituitary gland
What other name is the pituitary gland given?
The master gland
What is the function of the pituitary gland?
Controls the releases of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body
