Structure & Function of the Nervous System (AQA GCSE Psychology): Flashcards
Exam code: 8182
1/560Still learning
Know0
Define the central nervous system (CNS).
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (56)
Define the central nervous system (CNS).
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and the spinal cord.
What are the two parts of the human nervous system?
The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) — two connected systems that work together so the whole system functions effectively.
What do the CNS and PNS do with information collected from inside the body and the outside environment?
They process the information and then dispatch instructions to the rest of the body, facilitating an appropriate response.
Name four functions of the brain.
Any four of: regulating body temperature, heart rate and breathing; language (production and understanding); coordinating movement; coding sensory data via the sensory organs; problem-solving and planning.
The spinal cord ensures that signals from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body via the .
The spinal cord ensures that signals from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body via the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
True or False?
The brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord.
True.
The brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord, which in turn transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the body via the PNS.
Define the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) transmits messages throughout the whole body from the brain, and also relays messages back to the brain.
What are the two sections of the peripheral nervous system?
The somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
True or False?
The somatic nervous system transmits and receives messages from all of the senses, including sight.
True.
The somatic nervous system transmits and receives messages from the senses — sight, sound, smell, taste and touch — and then directs the muscles to move appropriately.
Give three examples of sensory information that travels via the somatic nervous system.
Visual information from the eyes (e.g. seeing a car coming toward you), touch information from the skin (e.g. the texture of velvet), and taste information from the tongue (e.g. the flavour of ketchup).
Define the type of movement controlled by the somatic nervous system.
The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements (e.g. throwing a ball), as well as the reflex movement involved in pulling your hand away from a hot surface — it directs the muscles to move appropriately.
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) transmit and receive information from?
The organs — e.g. heart rate, breathing via the lungs, and digestion.
Unlike the somatic nervous system, the autonomic nervous system is ; it cannot be controlled.
Unlike the somatic nervous system, the autonomic nervous system is involuntary; it cannot be controlled.
As well as being involuntary, the autonomic nervous system is involved in the body’s response to .
As well as being involuntary, the autonomic nervous system is involved in the body’s response to stress.
The autonomic nervous system is divided into two divisions — name them.
The sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division.
Define the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) transmits and receives information from the organs (e.g. heart rate, breathing via the lungs). It is involuntary — it cannot be controlled.
The autonomic nervous system is divided into which two further sections?
The sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
Define the sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system is associated with the ‘fight or flight’ response — it prepares the body for physical activity, e.g. running away or fighting.
True or False?
The sympathetic nervous system is utilised when the body is in a relaxed state.
False.
The sympathetic nervous system is utilised when the body is in an ‘alert’ state — for example, when crossing a busy road.
Name four physiological changes caused by the sympathetic nervous system.
Any four of: accelerated heart rate; widened bronchial passages for increased breathing capacity; reduced activity of the large intestine; pupil dilation; increased sweating; raised blood pressure.
The sympathetic nervous system reduces the activity of the , diverting energy away from digestion.
The sympathetic nervous system reduces the activity of the large intestine, diverting energy away from digestion.
What effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the eyes and on sweating?
It causes pupil dilation and increased sweating.
Define the parasympathetic nervous system.
The parasympathetic nervous system is known as the ‘rest and digest’ system — it helps to conserve the body’s activity levels and energy by decreasing activity to be used later.
True or False?
The parasympathetic nervous system slows heart and breathing rates and lowers blood pressure.
True.
The parasympathetic nervous system slows heart and breathing rates and lowers blood pressure as the body enters a state of relaxation.
Which two bodily functions does the note say the parasympathetic nervous system regulates?
Digestion and urination.
Relaxation enables the body to go into ‘standby’, also known as mode.
Relaxation enables the body to go into ‘standby’, also known as recovery mode.
What does going into ‘standby’ or recovery mode allow the body to do?
It allows the body to recover and conserve energy after the stress response has ended.
How does the parasympathetic nervous system conserve the body’s activity levels and energy?
By decreasing activity, so that the energy can be used later rather than being spent immediately as it is in the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ state.
Define adrenaline.
Adrenaline is a hormone that prepares the body to deal with a fear-, stress- or excitement-inducing stimulus, e.g. ‘I heard a noise downstairs!’
Which gland secretes adrenaline, and what stimulates it to do so?
The adrenal medulla (the inner part of the adrenal gland), stimulated by the neurons of the sympathetic nervous system during situations that produce stress, fear or excitement.
True or False?
Adrenaline is transported around the body along the nerves of the peripheral nervous system.
False.
Since adrenaline is a hormone, it is transported around the body in the bloodstream.
Define the ‘fight or flight’ response.
The ‘fight or flight’ response is the body’s reaction to danger — either stay and face the danger, or run away quickly.
The adrenal glands respond , releasing adrenaline directly into the bloodstream.
The adrenal glands respond almost immediately, releasing adrenaline directly into the bloodstream.
What does the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream produce?
A rapid, short-lived surge of physiological arousal — an intense surge of power, designed to move you quickly out of danger’s way.
Name the five physiological changes brought about by the fight or flight response.
Increased heart rate, dry mouth, increased sweating, dilated pupils, and increased breathing rate.
Why is an increase in heart rate required during fight or flight?
To supply more blood to the muscles.
This increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and glucose to the muscles, which increases the rate of and releases more energy.
This increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and glucose to the muscles, which increases the rate of aerobic respiration and releases more energy.
True or False?
During fight or flight, the blood vessels supplying less important organs such as the digestive system and the skin dilate.
False.
They constrict, so that more blood can be diverted to the organs that will be involved in the fight or flight response.
What happens to blood flow to the brain during the fight or flight response?
It remains constant, regardless of whether the body is in a state of stress or relaxation.
How might a person feel once the threat has passed, and why?
Exhausted, sick or ravenously hungry — a lot of energy has been used up during the response, and digestion is now starting up again.
Which part of the nervous system becomes active once the threat has passed?
The parasympathetic nervous system — hence ‘rest and digest’.
Define the James-Lange theory of emotion.
The James-Lange theory of emotion is an explanation of how emotions are produced, based on the physiological arousal involved in the fight or flight response. It suggests that emotions occur as the result of the physiological reaction experienced by someone in the presence of a threat or danger.
State the four-stage sequence proposed by the James-Lange theory.
Event → Physiological Reaction → Interpretation of Physical Response → Emotion.
According to the James-Lange theory, receiving an external stimulus leads to a reaction, which will then determine the nature of the emotional response.
According to the James-Lange theory, receiving an external stimulus leads to a physiological reaction, which will then determine the nature of the emotional response.
True or False?
According to the James-Lange theory, emotions are the cause of physiological changes.
False.
According to the James-Lange theory, emotions are feelings which come about as a result of physiological changes — they are not the cause of these changes.
Using the James-Lange theory, explain what happens when you hear footsteps behind you on a dark street.
Adrenaline is released into your bloodstream — you breathe faster, shake, your hairs stand on end and your heart rate increases. You then interpret these physical sensations and conclude ‘I am frightened’.
According to the James-Lange theory, is it possible to feel an emotion without a physiological reaction?
No — the theory states it is impossible to feel an emotion if there is no accompanying physiological reaction or sensation.
How can the James-Lange theory be described in terms of biological versus cognitive explanation?
It is a biological explanation of a cognitive experience — the physiological reaction determines the emotional response.
Give one strength of the James-Lange theory relating to real-life examples.
The theory is supported by real-life examples of emotions following physiological arousal, such as phobias or panic disorders — e.g. a trip or fall in public can lead to an emotional reaction such as anxiety or embarrassment.
A trip or fall in public can lead to the avoidance of similar public situations, as an is formed between the situation and the emotion.
A trip or fall in public can lead to the avoidance of similar public situations, as an association is formed between the situation and the emotion.
Give a second strength of the James-Lange theory, relating to phobias.
It may explain extreme emotional responses, e.g. to phobic stimuli, as the physical reaction may precede the emotional reaction.
Define the ‘too simple’ weakness of the James-Lange theory.
The physical reactions to a fear stimulus may be the same as those elicited by being in love or riding a roller coaster — so the theory cannot explain how these are told apart, meaning it lacks validity.
What does Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory agree with, and what does it add?
It agrees that physiological arousal comes before emotion, as the James-Lange theory suggests, but argues that social cues are also needed to correctly label the emotion.
True or False?
According to Schachter and Singer, the same racing heart is always interpreted as the same emotion, whatever the situation.
False.
The same racing heart could be interpreted as fear (hearing footsteps in a dark alley) or excitement (kissing someone you like), depending on the situation.
True or False?
Cannon-Bard argued that emotions occur after the physiological response.
False.
Cannon-Bard challenged the James-Lange theory by arguing that emotions occur at the same time as the physiological response.
Cannon-Bard also noted that the physiological response to vigorously is not interpreted as fear, even though it shares features such as raised heart rate and sweating.
Cannon-Bard also noted that the physiological response to exercising vigorously is not interpreted as fear, even though it shares features such as raised heart rate and sweating.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or