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biopsychology paper 2 - Coggle Diagram
biopsychology paper 2
the nervous system and the endocrine system
PNS - transmits messages via neurons to and from the central nervous system
divided into
autonomic nervous system : governs vital functions such as breathing
somatic nervous system : governs muscle movement and receives information from sensory rececptors
CNS : brain and spinal cord
brain = centre of all conscious awareness, highly developed in humans and distinguishes our higher mental functions, 2 hemispheres, cerebral cortex only found in mammals
spinal cord = extension of brain, passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to PNS and is responsible for reflex actions
nervous system : specialised network of cells in the human body + primary internal communication system
based on electrical and chemical signals
has 2 main functions
collect, process and respond to information in the environment
to coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
2 sub systems - PNS and CNS
endocrine system : works alongside nervous system to control vital functions in the body
acts more slowly
widespread powerful effects
glands produce hormones, which are secreted into the blood stream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone - affecting cells in more than one body organ leading to diverse and powerful effects
e.g thyroid gland produces thyroxine and this affects all cells in the heart, and through the body, increasing metabolic rates and in turn affecting growth rates
key gland = pituitary = master gland - releases hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body.
fight or flight : endocrine and ANS work in parallel
stressor percieved, hypothalamus activates pituitary gland, this triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS, ANS changes from resting state (parasympathetic state) to the physiologically aroused sympathetic state
adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into bloodstream, this triggers physiological changes e.g increased heart rate, which creates arousal necessary for flight or fight response
immediate, acute and automatic reaction in the body
once threat has passed, parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state - works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system - antagonistic - brake - reduces activities of the body that were increased by the action of the sympathetic branch
sympathetic state : increases heart rate, breathing rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion and saliva production, contracts rectum
paraympathetic state : the opposite
neurons and synaptic transmission
.
localisation of function in the brain
.
infradian and ultradian rhythms
.
hemispheric lateralisation and split brain research
plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma
.
endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers
circadian rhythms
ways of studying the brain