Psychopathology 16 markers
✏️The nervous system
The nervous system is a network of cells and the primary way that our body communicates. It is
based on electrical and chemical signals. This makes it different to the endocrine system which is
based on hormones. The nervous system has two functions; to collect, process and respond to
information and to coordinate the organs and cells in the body.
Within the nervous system, there are two separate nervous systems The peripheral nervous system
and the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
The outer layer of the brain is the centre of conscious awareness. The outer layer of the brain is
called the cerebral cortex and is 3mm thick. It is highly developed in humans and it's what
distinguishes us from animals. The brain is divided into two hemispheres. The spinal cord is also part
of the central nervous system and is an extension of the brain. It is responsible for reflex actions and
passes messages to and from the brain, and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system transmits messages via millions of neurons, to and from the nervous
system. The PNS is further divided into two sections, the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
The autonomic nervous system governs vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, digestion,
sexual arousal and stress responses. The somatic nervous system governs muscle movement and
receives information from sensory receptors.
The autonomic nervous system is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic, which
work with the endocrine system.
, ✏️The endocrine system
The key features of the endocrine system work alongside the nervous system to control vital
functions. The endocrine system uses hormones to carry out tasks throughout the body. It is much
slower than the nervous system, happening in seconds rather than milliseconds, but has powerful
effects throughout the body.
Glands in the body produce hormones. The main gland in the endocrine system is the pituitary
gland, as it controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body.
Hormones are released into the bloodstream, and affect any cell in the body that has the correct
receptor. An example would be thyroxine which is produced in the thyroid gland and affects the cells
in the heart and other cells throughout the body. This can increase metabolic rates, which affects
growth rates.
The endocrine system works with the autonomic nervous system, particularly in a stressful event.
The stressor is received by the hypothalamus which activates the pituitary gland. The sympathetic
nervous system has now become aroused, as it is in charge of the fight or flight response. This means
that adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream. This causes changes in
the target organs in the body, such as an increased heart rate, dilation of pupils or a decreased
production of saliva. This is the fight-or-flight response. This response is immediate and automatic
and happens the instant a threat is perceived.
The parasympathetic nervous system is in charge of rest-and-digest. This takes place once the threat
has passed and it turns the body into its resting state. This acts as a brake and reduces the activities
that the sympathetic nervous system carried out.
✏️The nervous system
The nervous system is a network of cells and the primary way that our body communicates. It is
based on electrical and chemical signals. This makes it different to the endocrine system which is
based on hormones. The nervous system has two functions; to collect, process and respond to
information and to coordinate the organs and cells in the body.
Within the nervous system, there are two separate nervous systems The peripheral nervous system
and the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
The outer layer of the brain is the centre of conscious awareness. The outer layer of the brain is
called the cerebral cortex and is 3mm thick. It is highly developed in humans and it's what
distinguishes us from animals. The brain is divided into two hemispheres. The spinal cord is also part
of the central nervous system and is an extension of the brain. It is responsible for reflex actions and
passes messages to and from the brain, and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system transmits messages via millions of neurons, to and from the nervous
system. The PNS is further divided into two sections, the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
The autonomic nervous system governs vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, digestion,
sexual arousal and stress responses. The somatic nervous system governs muscle movement and
receives information from sensory receptors.
The autonomic nervous system is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic, which
work with the endocrine system.
, ✏️The endocrine system
The key features of the endocrine system work alongside the nervous system to control vital
functions. The endocrine system uses hormones to carry out tasks throughout the body. It is much
slower than the nervous system, happening in seconds rather than milliseconds, but has powerful
effects throughout the body.
Glands in the body produce hormones. The main gland in the endocrine system is the pituitary
gland, as it controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body.
Hormones are released into the bloodstream, and affect any cell in the body that has the correct
receptor. An example would be thyroxine which is produced in the thyroid gland and affects the cells
in the heart and other cells throughout the body. This can increase metabolic rates, which affects
growth rates.
The endocrine system works with the autonomic nervous system, particularly in a stressful event.
The stressor is received by the hypothalamus which activates the pituitary gland. The sympathetic
nervous system has now become aroused, as it is in charge of the fight or flight response. This means
that adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream. This causes changes in
the target organs in the body, such as an increased heart rate, dilation of pupils or a decreased
production of saliva. This is the fight-or-flight response. This response is immediate and automatic
and happens the instant a threat is perceived.
The parasympathetic nervous system is in charge of rest-and-digest. This takes place once the threat
has passed and it turns the body into its resting state. This acts as a brake and reduces the activities
that the sympathetic nervous system carried out.
