The Nervous System

Biopsychology

Biopsychology

The study of how biology influences behaviour, focusing on the nervous system, neurotransmitters, and hormones.

Nervous System

Responsible for responding to stimuli and coordinating actions, consisting of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Neurons

Cells of the nervous system transmitting information as electrical impulses, with dendrites receiving information and axons passing impulses to synaptic knobs.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals released from synaptic knobs to transmit signals across synapses to dendrites of the next neuron, with excitatory and inhibitory types affecting impulses.

Reflexes

Fast, automatic responses to stimuli bypassing the conscious brain, helping prevent injury by going through the spinal cord or unconscious brain regions.

Synapse

Junction between neurons or between a neuron and an effector cell, with a synaptic cleft and neurotransmitters facilitating signal transmission.

What is the role of Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Increase the likelihood of triggering an electrical impulse in the postsynaptic neuron.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Decrease the likelihood of triggering an electrical impulse in the postsynaptic neuron, regulating neural activity.

Key Neurotransmitters (examples)

Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Noradrenaline, Serotonin, and GABA, influencing various behaviors and linked to conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.