BIOPSYCHOLOGY NOTES
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM- AO1
- Specialised network of cells in the body- primary internal communication system
- Two main functions: collect, process and respond to information from the environment +
coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
- Splits off into different sections of the nervous system:
- THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- brain and spinal cord, conscious awareness+ reflexive
actions
- THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- transmits messages from neurons to and from the brain
- THE SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- receives information from the CNS which directs muscles
- THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- controls bodily functions that are unconscious e.g.
breathing
- THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- stimulates fight or flight response eg increased heart
rate
- THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- conserves energy eg slows heart rate
NEURONS A01
- Nervous system is made up primarily of neurons
- Work as communication pathways from the brain to and from the body
- Transmit signals chemically and electrically
- MOTOR NEURONS- influence our muscles- contraction and retraction- release certain
neurotransmitters to muscle receptor sites
, - SENSORY NEURONS- carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to brain/ spinal cord-
located at all five senses
- RELAY NEURONS- transmits impulses between other neurons to create neural circuits
allowing sensory and motor neurons to communicate with CNS
NEUROTRANSMITTERS A01
- Influence our behaviour by affecting neighbouring neurons
- EXCIATORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS- increase positive charge of the neuron it attaches to
which often leads to action potential eg: adrenaline and dopamine
- INHIBITORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS- increases negative charge of the neuron it attaches to
which reduces the chance of action potential eg: serotonin and melatonin
- ACTION POTENTIAL- when an electrical impulse is sent from the cell body down the axon to
the terminal buttons- explosion of electrical activity created by depolarisation event
SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION A01
- Neurons communicate electrically and chemically
- Electrical communication takes place within individual neurons
- Chemical communication occurs between neurons
- When an electrical impulse is sent from one end of the neuron to the other this is known as
action potential
- Once action potential has occurred the vesicles travel to the end of the presynaptic terminal
and merge with the membrane
- This causes neurotransmitters to spill into synaptic deft
- Then they travel across the gap towards the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron
- They bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AO1
- Works alongside the nervous system to help control and regulate vital functions within the
body
- Uses hormones which travel through the blood to influence our body and behaviour
- Eg: Ovaries release oestrogen which enables egg production, pregnancy and menstruation
THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE AO1
- 2 DIFFERENT STRESS RESPONSES: acute + chronic
- EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE- increased pupils, increased heart rate + stops non-emergency
functions
- Once threat is gone parasympathetic NS activates and undoes effects of adrenaline and
brings us too normal
- EFFECTS OF CORTISOL- long lasting energy, increased pain tolerance
- Hypothalamus + pituitary gland is always measuring cortisol levels and deciding if we need
more or less
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM- AO1
- Specialised network of cells in the body- primary internal communication system
- Two main functions: collect, process and respond to information from the environment +
coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
- Splits off into different sections of the nervous system:
- THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- brain and spinal cord, conscious awareness+ reflexive
actions
- THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- transmits messages from neurons to and from the brain
- THE SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- receives information from the CNS which directs muscles
- THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- controls bodily functions that are unconscious e.g.
breathing
- THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- stimulates fight or flight response eg increased heart
rate
- THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- conserves energy eg slows heart rate
NEURONS A01
- Nervous system is made up primarily of neurons
- Work as communication pathways from the brain to and from the body
- Transmit signals chemically and electrically
- MOTOR NEURONS- influence our muscles- contraction and retraction- release certain
neurotransmitters to muscle receptor sites
, - SENSORY NEURONS- carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to brain/ spinal cord-
located at all five senses
- RELAY NEURONS- transmits impulses between other neurons to create neural circuits
allowing sensory and motor neurons to communicate with CNS
NEUROTRANSMITTERS A01
- Influence our behaviour by affecting neighbouring neurons
- EXCIATORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS- increase positive charge of the neuron it attaches to
which often leads to action potential eg: adrenaline and dopamine
- INHIBITORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS- increases negative charge of the neuron it attaches to
which reduces the chance of action potential eg: serotonin and melatonin
- ACTION POTENTIAL- when an electrical impulse is sent from the cell body down the axon to
the terminal buttons- explosion of electrical activity created by depolarisation event
SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION A01
- Neurons communicate electrically and chemically
- Electrical communication takes place within individual neurons
- Chemical communication occurs between neurons
- When an electrical impulse is sent from one end of the neuron to the other this is known as
action potential
- Once action potential has occurred the vesicles travel to the end of the presynaptic terminal
and merge with the membrane
- This causes neurotransmitters to spill into synaptic deft
- Then they travel across the gap towards the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron
- They bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AO1
- Works alongside the nervous system to help control and regulate vital functions within the
body
- Uses hormones which travel through the blood to influence our body and behaviour
- Eg: Ovaries release oestrogen which enables egg production, pregnancy and menstruation
THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE AO1
- 2 DIFFERENT STRESS RESPONSES: acute + chronic
- EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE- increased pupils, increased heart rate + stops non-emergency
functions
- Once threat is gone parasympathetic NS activates and undoes effects of adrenaline and
brings us too normal
- EFFECTS OF CORTISOL- long lasting energy, increased pain tolerance
- Hypothalamus + pituitary gland is always measuring cortisol levels and deciding if we need
more or less
