Biopsychology Y1

nervous system

a specialised network of cells in a human body, the primary internal communication system.

two main functions of nervous system

1. collects, processes and responds to information in the environment

2. co-ordinates the working of different organs and cells in the body

central nervous system

The CNS passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS.

consists of the brain which maintains life and and is the centre of all conscious awareness

the spinal cord which receives and transmit information from the brain to the PNS and vice versa, it is the extension of the brain, responsible for reflex actions.

Perphieral Nervous System

consists of the Autonomic Nervous system which is responsible for the control and regulation of internal organs and thus vital functions in the body

and consists of Somatic nervous system which has voluntary control of skeletal muscles and receives and transmits sensory information into the CNS.

Autonomic nervous system

consists of the sympathetic nervous system which increases bodily arousal for fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating the steady internal state.

acute stressor

short-term, immediate or sudden

sympathetic adrenal medullary system

1. higher brain centres perceives a stressor

2. hypothalamus is activated

3. triggers the autonomic NS in the brain stem

4. the adrenal glands is stimulated ( adrenal medulla ), which is the centre of the gland. The adrenal cortex which is outside the adrenal gland.

5. adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into bloodstream.

6. adrenaline triggers the psychological changes such as increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, pupils dilate, glucose is released from storage, which decreases activity, where not needed for action

7. once threat is passed, the parasympathetic branch of ANS is activated.

8. This returns the body to its testing state by decreasing heart rate, increasing salivation etc back to its steady rate.