The Nervous System and the Endocrinne System (Biopsychology)

Question 1

The Human Nervous System

Answer 1

Provides the biological basis of psychological experience.

Can be further divided into the Peripheral and Central Nervous systems.

Question 2

The Central Nervous System

Answer 2

Controls our bodily functions and psychological processes

Can be further divided into the Brain and Spinal Cord

Question 3

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 3

Transmits messages via millions of neurones (nerve cells), to and from the central nervous system

Can be further divided into the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous systems.

Question 4

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 4

Part of the PNS that controls skeletal muscles under conscious control

Question 5

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 5

Transfers information to and from internal organs to maintain life governing vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
* unconscious processes necessary for life

Can be further divided into the Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous systems.

Question 6

The Brain

Answer 6

• main job is to ensure that life and psychological processing (conscious and conscious) is maintained
• the brain is divided into two hemispheres

Question 7

The Spinal Cord

Answer 7

• Facilitates the transferal of messages to and from the brain to the PNS
• Responsible for reflex actions

Question 8

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 8

• Decreases bodily activities
• Release of acetylcholine
• Rest and digest
• Decrease heart/sweat/breathing rate
• Constricts pupils

Question 9

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 9

• Increases bodily activities
• Release of noradrenaline
• Responsible for flight/flight response
• Increases heart/sweat/breathing rate
• Dilates pupils

Question 10

Diagram of the Nervous System

Answer 10

Question 11

The Endocrine System

Answer 11

Collection of glands around the body that regulate bodily functions

It acts by releasing chemical messengers called hormones into the blood

Question 12

Homeostasis

Answer 12

The maintenance of a constant internal environment within the body

Question 13

Hormones

Answer 13

Chemical messengers that circulate in the bloodstream to regulate behaviours

Question 14

Pineal Gland

Answer 14

Produces and secretes the hormone melatonin which regulates biological rhythms such as sleep and wake cycle

Question 15

Adrenal Glands

Answer 15

Releases adrenaline which regulates fight or flight response

Question 16

Pituitary Gland

Answer 16

Controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands

Also known as the master gland

Question 17

Testes

Answer 17

This facilitates the release of the male hormone- testosterone

Testosterone affects aggression, facial hair, sex drive, muscle mass.

Question 18

Ovaries

Answer 18

this facilitates the release of the female hormones- oestrogen and progesterone

produces eggs

Question 19

Sensory Neurone

Answer 19

The role of sensory neurons is to send information from the peripheral nervous system (PNS) towards the central nervous system (CNS)

Sensory neurons can only transmit messages one way and cannot receive messages

Sensory neurons have long dendrites and short axons

Question 20

Motor Neuron

Answer 20

Carry signals from CNS to muscles and glands

They send and receive messages

Short dendrites and long axons

Question 21

Relay Neuron

Answer 21

Relay neurons connect sensory neurons to motor neurons

They send and receive messages

Short dendrites and long axons

Question 22

3 types of Neurons and their characteristics

Answer 22

Sensory - long dendrites short axons

Motor - short dendrites and long axons

Relay - short dendrites and long axons

Question 23

Neurotransmitters

Answer 23

Chemical messengers released by neurons

These are either excitatory (more likely) or inhibitory (make less likely) the development of an action potential in others neurons

Question 24

Process of synaptic transmission

Answer 24

• Action potential travels down an axon of presynaptic neurone
• Vessicles containing neurotransmitters merge with cell membrane and releaser neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft
• Receptors on the postsynaptic neurones dendrite membrane detect presence of nuerotransmitters
• If the charge passes a threshold the message is passed on
• Neurotransmitters detach fromrecptors and return to presynaptic cell. This process is called reuptake

Question 25

Process of reuptake

Answer 25

Neurotransmitters detach fromrecptors and return to presynaptic cell

Question 26

Excitation and Exhibitory Neurotransmitters

Answer 26

Increase the likelihood of a new action potential forming in the postsynaptic cell When detected by receptors the electrical charge inside becomes more likely to fire

Question 27

Inhibition and Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Answer 27

Decrease the likelihood of a new action potential forming in the postsynaptic cell When detected by receptors the electrical charge inside becomes less likely to fire

Question 28

Fight or flight response

Answer 28

* Survival mechanism in response to a threat * Primes the body for action (fighting or escaping a threat) * Body returns to homeostasis after the threat has passed

Question 29

The role of adrenaline in Fight or Flight response Psychological effects

Answer 29

Increased anxiety, attention and alertness

Question 30

The role of adrenaline in Fight or Flight response Physiological effects

Answer 30

Increased blood flow to brain and skeletal muscles (quick thinking and reactions) Dilated pupils (improved vision) Faster breathing rate (increased oxygen)