Summary AQA Psychology for A Level Year 2 Student Book: 2nd Edition - Biopsychology

Hormones: chemical substances
that circulate in the bloodstream


BIOPSYCHO
and only affect target organs. They
are produced in large quantities but
disappear quickly. Their effects are
very powerful.
Adrenaline: a hormone produced by
the adrenal glands, which is part of
Nervous
the immediate stress response Collects, processes, & respon
system. environment. Coordinates the w
cells in th



Central Nervous System (CNS)
Concerned with life functions & psychological
processes



Brain Spinal Cord
Maintains life and is involved in higher Receives and transmits info to and from
functions and psychological processes. the brain



Fight/Flight: a sequence of activity within the body that is triggered when we perceive a threat or a
stressful situation. This activity involves physiological changes in the nervous system and the secretion
of hormones necessary to sustain arousal.
Outline of the F/F response:

Amygdala
(area of the brain that deals with emotions)
Sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus



Hypothalamus
(controls autonomic nervous system, and so the sympathetic nervous system
is activated)
R
Releases a stress hormone to the pituitary gland


Pituitary Gland
(master gland)
Releases ACTH to the adrenal glands

W
Adrenal Glands
(specifically the adrenal medulla)