Biological Psychology U3 ML 10

Nervous system

The body's electro chemical communication network, consist of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and Spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

Nerves

bundles of axons that form cables connecting the body to CNS

Sensory (afferent) neurons

carry messages from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and brain

Motor (efferent) neurons

carry information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands

Interneurons

neurons in brain and spinal cord that communicate internaly

Somatic nervous system

(Componet of Peripheral System) enable voluntary control of skeletal muscles; also called the skeletal nervous system

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

(Componet of Peripheral System) Automatic; controls glands, and muscles of internal organs (heart, lungs)

Sympathetic nervous system

(Component of ANS) Stress response; accelerate heartbeat, raise blood presure, slow digestion, raise blood sugar, and cool perspiration; makes you alert

Parasympathetic nervous system

(Component of ANS) When stress subsides; opposite of sympathetic nervous system; conserves energy

Reflex

an automatic response to a sensory stimulus (EX. putting arms out infront of you when you trip

Endocrine system

"slow" chemical communication system; glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

chemical messengers that are made by glands and travel through the bloodstream to affect other organs/tissue

Adrenal glands

ANS orders these glands to secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) to arouse the body in times of stress; surge of energy known as Fight or Flight; adrenaline

Pituitary gland

controlled by hypothalamus; releases hormone that stimulate growth and controls other endocrine glands. Master gland