Biopsychology: pages 21-39

PSYB1

Key assumptions of biopsychologists

• Biopsychologists argue for a genetic basis for behaviour

• This is how differences in our chromosomal make-up can have significant effect on not only our psychology, but also our behaviour.

• This approach assumes that behaviour and experiences are caused by activity in the nervous system

Human nervous system

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Central nervous system (CNS)

Autonomic nervous system

Somatic nervous system

Spinal cordBrain

Sympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

The organisation of the human nervous system (page 21)

Human nervous system

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Central nervous system (CNS)

Autonomic nervous system

Somatic nervous system

Spinal cordBrain

Sympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

The organisation of the human nervous system (page 21)

Neurons

• Cells that conduct nerve impulses are called neurons

• The things that people think and feel, say and do are caused, one way or another, by electrochemical events occurring within and between the neurons that make up the nervous system, particularly those in the brain

Label this diagram

Correct Labels

Write one sentence about what the following features do

• Dendrite

Receives the nerve impulse or signal from adjacent neurons

• Axon

Where the electrical signals pass along. • Myelin sheath

Insulates /protects the axon from external influences that might effect the transmission of the nerve impulse down the axon.

• Synaptic terminals

Terminal buttons send signals to an adjacent cell.

Different types of neurons

Motor neuron Interconnecting neuron

Sensory neuron

Function Carries messages from the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands

Transfers messages from sensory neurons to other interconnecting neurons or motor neurons

Carries messages from the PNS to the brain and spinal cord

Length of fibres Short dendrites and long axons

Short dendrites and short or long axons

Long dendrites and short axons

Structural and functional differences

Synapse between two neurons.

Neurotransmitters…

• …are chemicals that are released from a synaptic vesicle into the synapse by neurons.

• They affect the transfer of an impulse to another nerve or muscle

• These neurotransmitters are “taken back up” into the terminal buttons of neurons through the process of reuptake

Synapse: The gap between the end of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron.

What you need to label:

1.Direction of impulse.

2.Axon terminal

3.Synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitter

4.Synaptic cleft

5.Dendrite

6.Receptor site

Summary Questions

1. What are the two main sub-sections of the human nervous system?

2. Name four features of a motor neuron

3. What is the main function of a sensory neuron?

4. Give two differences between a motor neuron and a sensory neuron

5. What is meant by a synapse?

6. Use you knowledge/understanding of the reflex response to explain why the lower leg jerks forward when the area just below the knee is tapped

7. How can neurotransmitters be used to explain a condition like schizophrenia?