Biopsychology
Autonomic nervous Governs the brain’s involuntary activities and is self-regulated (autonomous). It’s divided into
system (ANS) the sympathetic branch (flight or fight) and the parasympathetic branch (rest and digest)
Brain The part of the central nervous system that’s responsible for coordinating sensation,
intellectual and nervous activity
Central nervous system Comprises the brain and spinal cord. It receive information from the senses and controls the
(CNS) body’s responses.
Peripheral nervous system The part of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord
Somatic nervous system The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for carrying sensory and motor
information to and from the CNS
Spinal cord A bundle of nerve fibers enclosed within the spinal column and which connects nearly all
parts of the body with the brain
Central Nervous System
2 main functions of the CNS: the control of behaviour and the regulation of the body’s physiological processes
Spinal cord - Relays information between brain and body enabling the brain to monitor and regulate bodily processes
and coordinate voluntary movements
- Spinal nerves connect the spinal cord to the body
The brain Cerebrum (4 1. Frontal (speech, thought and learning)
lobes) 2. Temporal (hearing and memory)
3. Parietal (processing sensory information)
4. Occipital (visual information)
Cerebellum It’s involved in control of motor skills and balance. Abnormalities of this area can cause
speech difficulties, motor problems and epilepsy
Diencephalon contains the thalamus which relays nerve impulses from the senses to the brain. The
hypothalamus, in the diencephalon, regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and
hormones (endocrine system)
Brain stem regulates automatic function such as breathing and heartbeat. Motor and sensory neurons
travel through the brain stem, allowing impulses to pass between the brain and spinal cord
The peripheral nervous system: consist of all nerves outside the CNS. Their function is to relay nerve impulses to and
from the CNS and the rest of the body. 2 main division:
1. Somatic Nervous system (voluntary movement)
Connects the central nervous system and the senses. Consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
which are both sensory and motor.
2. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) (involuntary movements)
Sympathetic (getting ready for a threat) Parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest)
Increased heart rate Decreased heart rate
Reduced activity in the stomach Increased activity in the stomach
Saliva production is inhibited Saliva production increased to aid digestion
Pupil dilation/expansion Pupil contraction
Relaxation of the bronchi of the lungs Constriction of the bronchi of the lungs
Glucose is released Glucose is stored
Autonomic nervous Governs the brain’s involuntary activities and is self-regulated (autonomous). It’s divided into
system (ANS) the sympathetic branch (flight or fight) and the parasympathetic branch (rest and digest)
Brain The part of the central nervous system that’s responsible for coordinating sensation,
intellectual and nervous activity
Central nervous system Comprises the brain and spinal cord. It receive information from the senses and controls the
(CNS) body’s responses.
Peripheral nervous system The part of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord
Somatic nervous system The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for carrying sensory and motor
information to and from the CNS
Spinal cord A bundle of nerve fibers enclosed within the spinal column and which connects nearly all
parts of the body with the brain
Central Nervous System
2 main functions of the CNS: the control of behaviour and the regulation of the body’s physiological processes
Spinal cord - Relays information between brain and body enabling the brain to monitor and regulate bodily processes
and coordinate voluntary movements
- Spinal nerves connect the spinal cord to the body
The brain Cerebrum (4 1. Frontal (speech, thought and learning)
lobes) 2. Temporal (hearing and memory)
3. Parietal (processing sensory information)
4. Occipital (visual information)
Cerebellum It’s involved in control of motor skills and balance. Abnormalities of this area can cause
speech difficulties, motor problems and epilepsy
Diencephalon contains the thalamus which relays nerve impulses from the senses to the brain. The
hypothalamus, in the diencephalon, regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and
hormones (endocrine system)
Brain stem regulates automatic function such as breathing and heartbeat. Motor and sensory neurons
travel through the brain stem, allowing impulses to pass between the brain and spinal cord
The peripheral nervous system: consist of all nerves outside the CNS. Their function is to relay nerve impulses to and
from the CNS and the rest of the body. 2 main division:
1. Somatic Nervous system (voluntary movement)
Connects the central nervous system and the senses. Consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
which are both sensory and motor.
2. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) (involuntary movements)
Sympathetic (getting ready for a threat) Parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest)
Increased heart rate Decreased heart rate
Reduced activity in the stomach Increased activity in the stomach
Saliva production is inhibited Saliva production increased to aid digestion
Pupil dilation/expansion Pupil contraction
Relaxation of the bronchi of the lungs Constriction of the bronchi of the lungs
Glucose is released Glucose is stored
