Biopsychology (second part)

Nervous system - a highly organised collection of neurons that convey info around the organism and between the organism and its enviornment.

Central Nervous System - a division of the nervous system, its role is the processing of incoming information and the preperation of responses.

Peripheral Nervous System - a division of the nervous system, its role is to transmit info from the environment to the central nervous system, and from the CNS to other parts of the body.

Brain - a division of the CNS, it is the control centre for the nervous system and many of the other systems. It is capable of very complex information processing.

Spinal chord - a division of the CNS, most of the information travelling to and from the brain does so via the spinal chord. It is also capable of basic info processing alone.

Somatic nervous system - a division of the PNS, it consists of sensory nerves, which carry information from the environment to the CNS, and motor nerves, which carry instructions from the CNS to the skeletal muscles.

Autonomic nervous system - a division of the PNS, which monitors and controls activities of the internal organs and is involved in homeostatic functions.

Insulin - produced by the pancreas, targets the liver, and controls blood sugar.

Testosterone - produced by the testes, targets the male reproductive organs, and controls puberty in males, causes sperm production and strengthens bones.

Oestrogen - produced by the ovaries, uterus and pituatory gland, targets the ovaries, and controls puberty and the menstrual cycle in females, affects the production of LH and FSH in the pituitary glands, strengthens bones and protects the heart.

Oxytocin - produced by the pituitary gland, targets the breast and uterus, and contracts the uterus and affects milk production.

Growth hormone - produced by the pituitary gland, targets all cells in the body, its function is growth and repair.

ADH - produced by the pituitary gland, targets the kidneys, controls fluid and mineral levels in the body.

Thyroxine - produced by thyroid gland, targets cardiovascular and digestive organs, controls heart rate, temperature and metabolism and the metabolism of calcium in the body.

Adrenalin - produced by adrenal glands, targets vital organs such as liver and heart, prepares the body for action in threatening situations in the fight or flight response.