BIOPSYCHOLOGY
NERVOUS AND
ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS
THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM:
The nervous system is a
specialised network of
cells in the human body
and is our primary internal
communication system.
It’s main functions are to
collect,process and
respond to information in
the environment and to
coordinate the workings of
the organs and cells in the
body. It includes the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM + THE PERIPHERAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM:
BRAIN:provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological
processes. It is divided into the Occupational Lobe(visual info),the
Temporal Lobe(auditory info), the Parietal Lobe(spacial nav and integrates
info from the senses and Frontal Lobe(higher order functions like logic
SPINAL CORD:transfers messages to the brain and body and is
responsible for simple reflex actions
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:Relays messages from the CNS to the
rest of the body and consists of the somatic and autonomic nervous
systems. Sends information to the CNS from the outside world.
SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Maintains communication between
receptor cells in the sense organs and the CNS. It also has motor pathways
which allow the brain to control movement/muscles
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Plays an important role in homeostasis
which maintains internal processes like body temperature and blood
pressure.(governs vital functions) It is ‘automatic’ as it operates
involuntarily. It contains two divisions:
, 1. THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Involved in responses to
prepare the body for fight or flight (increased heart rate,blood
pressure ect)
2. THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Returns the body to
a resting state,like restoring mechanisms like digestion.
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:
This is one of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to
release HORMONES(Chemical substances that target organs and are
produced in large quantities but disappear quickly) directly into the
bloodstream. These hormones act as chemical messengers and are
targeted towards organs in the body.
Various GLANDS(Organ that
synthesises substances such as
hormones) like the thyroid gland,(which
produces thyroxine which increases
heart and metabolic rates in the
body)we4 produce hormones that affect
cells with a receptor for that hormone.
The major endocrine gland is the
PITUITARY GLAND which is located in
the brain, which is often known as the
master gland because it controls the release of hormones from other
glands in the body.
The endocrine system and ANS can work together in some instances,like a
stressful event. When stress is perceived, the hypothalamus triggers the
sympathetic nervous system. The ANS then changes from its
parasympathetic state to it’s sympathetic state. During this state, adrenaline
is released(produced by the adrenal glands and has a strong effect on the
cardiovascular system) which increases heart rate ect. Once the threat has
passed the parasympathetic system returns the body to its resting state.
NEURON STRUCTURE:
Neurons are cells that conduct
nerve impulses and transmit
NERVOUS AND
ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS
THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM:
The nervous system is a
specialised network of
cells in the human body
and is our primary internal
communication system.
It’s main functions are to
collect,process and
respond to information in
the environment and to
coordinate the workings of
the organs and cells in the
body. It includes the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM + THE PERIPHERAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM:
BRAIN:provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological
processes. It is divided into the Occupational Lobe(visual info),the
Temporal Lobe(auditory info), the Parietal Lobe(spacial nav and integrates
info from the senses and Frontal Lobe(higher order functions like logic
SPINAL CORD:transfers messages to the brain and body and is
responsible for simple reflex actions
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:Relays messages from the CNS to the
rest of the body and consists of the somatic and autonomic nervous
systems. Sends information to the CNS from the outside world.
SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Maintains communication between
receptor cells in the sense organs and the CNS. It also has motor pathways
which allow the brain to control movement/muscles
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Plays an important role in homeostasis
which maintains internal processes like body temperature and blood
pressure.(governs vital functions) It is ‘automatic’ as it operates
involuntarily. It contains two divisions:
, 1. THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Involved in responses to
prepare the body for fight or flight (increased heart rate,blood
pressure ect)
2. THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:Returns the body to
a resting state,like restoring mechanisms like digestion.
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:
This is one of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to
release HORMONES(Chemical substances that target organs and are
produced in large quantities but disappear quickly) directly into the
bloodstream. These hormones act as chemical messengers and are
targeted towards organs in the body.
Various GLANDS(Organ that
synthesises substances such as
hormones) like the thyroid gland,(which
produces thyroxine which increases
heart and metabolic rates in the
body)we4 produce hormones that affect
cells with a receptor for that hormone.
The major endocrine gland is the
PITUITARY GLAND which is located in
the brain, which is often known as the
master gland because it controls the release of hormones from other
glands in the body.
The endocrine system and ANS can work together in some instances,like a
stressful event. When stress is perceived, the hypothalamus triggers the
sympathetic nervous system. The ANS then changes from its
parasympathetic state to it’s sympathetic state. During this state, adrenaline
is released(produced by the adrenal glands and has a strong effect on the
cardiovascular system) which increases heart rate ect. Once the threat has
passed the parasympathetic system returns the body to its resting state.
NEURON STRUCTURE:
Neurons are cells that conduct
nerve impulses and transmit
