biopsychology

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The nervous system:
Specialised network of cells- our primary communication system Two main functions- 1)To collect, process and respond to info in the environment 2)To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body I
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Structure of CNS
The brain and spinal cord Brain is the centre of all conscious awareness The outer layer of the brain- cerebral cortex- is highly developed and what distinguishes us from animals
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Function of the CNS
The spinal cord is an extension of the brain- reflex actions It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS
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Structure of the PNS
The PNS is sub-divided into- Autonomic nervous system Somatic nervous system
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The function of the PNS
PNS transmits messages to via millions of neurons to and from the nervous system ANS governs vital function- heart, breathing, digestion, stress response the SNS controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
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The endocrine system
The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system- controls vitals functions in the body through the action of hormones
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Glands
Glands are the organs in the body that produce hormones The major endocrine gland is the pituitary gland- controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body
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Hormones
Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone. Thyroxine produced by thyroid affects the cells in he heart- cells throughout the body which increase metabolic rates- affect
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The Electric transmission- firing of a neuron
When the neuron is resting it is negatively charged When a neuron is activated -positively charged for a split second causing an action potential to occur. This creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards the end of the neuron.
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The endocrine system + ANS system ( work in parallel in stressful events)
When a stressor is received, the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch. The ANS changes from normal state (parasympathetic state) into sympathetic state (physiologically aroused) Stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adren
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The structure of neurons (all vary in size) :
Cell body- includes nucleus which contains genetic material of the cell Dendrites- branch like structure that protrude from the cell body. these carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons to cell body Axon- carries electrical impulses away from
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The function of neurons
By transmitting signals electrically and chemically- provide the nervous system with its primary means f communication Motor neuron- connect CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. Short dendrites/ long axons Sensory neuron- carry messages fro
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Synaptic transmission
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically but signals between neurons are transmitted chemically When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from synaptic vesicles Once the neurotran
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Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine (ACh) is fund where a motor neuron meets a muscle- causing muscles to contract Serotonin affects mood and social behaviour- cause of depression
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Excitation and inhibition
Neurotransmitters have either an excitatory or inhibitory effect on the neighbouring neuron Adrenaline- excitatory- increasing positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron- making likely to fire Serotonin- inhibitory- increasing negative charge of th
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Summation
Excitatory and inhibitory influences are summed and must reach a certain threshold in order for action potential of the postsynaptic neuron to be triggered. If the net effect is inhibitory then postsynaptic neuron is less likely to fire. It is more
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Structure of CNS

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The brain and spinal cord Brain is the centre of all conscious awareness The outer layer of the brain- cerebral cortex- is highly developed and what distinguishes us from animals

Card 3

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Function of the CNS

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Card 4

Front

Structure of the PNS

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Card 5

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The function of the PNS

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