Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Biopsychology AQA A Level
- Nervous and endocrine system
- Nervous system
- Nervous system is
a specialised
network of cells
and acts as the
primary internal
communication
system
- Two main functions
- Collect, process, and respond to environmental stimuli
- Co-ordinate the working of different cells and organs in the
body
- Two main sub systems
- Central nervous system (CNS)
- The brain is the centre of conscious awareness
- Outer layer, cerebral cortex, is highly developed which distinguishes our higher mental functions from animals
- Split into two hemispheres
- Spinal cord is an extension
of the brain
- Responsible for reflex actions
- Passes messages from PNS to brain and back
- Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- Passes messages via millions of
neurons to the CNS
- Two sub systems
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
- Governs vital responses in the
body such as breathing and
heart rate
- Somatic nervous system (SNS)
- Controls voluntary muscle
movement and receives
information from sensory
receptors
- Endocrine system
- Made up of and
controls glands that
secrete hormones into
the bloodstream to be
carried towards target
organs
- Hormones affect cells
leading to many
diverse and powerful
effects
- When a stressor is perceived , the
hypothalamus triggers the change in the ANS
from parasympathetic (rest) to sympathetic
(alert). Adrenlaine id released from the
adrenal medulla which triggers changes in the
body (such as faster heart rate and slower
metabolism) which is necessary for the fight
or flight response. When the stressor is gone
the ANS returns to its parasympathetic state
which is antagonistic to the sympathetic state
- Neurons and synaptic transfer