BIOPSYCHOLOGY ADVANCED INFORMATION 2022
THE NERVOUS • Specialised network CNS: brain and spinal cord.
SYSTEM of cells. PNS: sends info to the CNS from the
• Primary internal outside world and transmits messages
communication from the CNS to muscles and glands
system. (made up of SNS and ANS).
• Based on electrical SNS: transmits info from receptor cells
and chemical signals.in sense organs to the CNS and
• receives info from the CNS that directs
Function is to collect,
process, respond to muscles to act.
info from the ANS: involuntarily transmits info to
environment and and from organs (made up of SNS and
coordinate organs PNS).
and cells. SNS: “fight or flight” (increases heart
rate, dilates pupils and inhibits
digestion during a stressful situation).
PNS: “rest and digest” – returns the
body to normal physiological
functioning after “fight or flight”.
NEURONS • Nerve cells that Sensory: carry messages from the PNS
process and transmit to the CNS.
messages through Sensory neurons have LONG dendrites
electrical and and SHORT axons.
chemical signals. Relay: connect sensory neuron to
• Sensory, relay or motor and other relay neurons.
motor. Relay neurons have SHORT dendrites
• When a neuron is and SHORT axons.
activated by a Motor: connect the CNS to effectors –
stimulus, the neuron muscles and glands.
becomes positively Motor neurons have SHORT dendrites
charged causing and LONG axons.
action potential to
occur.
THE NERVOUS • Specialised network CNS: brain and spinal cord.
SYSTEM of cells. PNS: sends info to the CNS from the
• Primary internal outside world and transmits messages
communication from the CNS to muscles and glands
system. (made up of SNS and ANS).
• Based on electrical SNS: transmits info from receptor cells
and chemical signals.in sense organs to the CNS and
• receives info from the CNS that directs
Function is to collect,
process, respond to muscles to act.
info from the ANS: involuntarily transmits info to
environment and and from organs (made up of SNS and
coordinate organs PNS).
and cells. SNS: “fight or flight” (increases heart
rate, dilates pupils and inhibits
digestion during a stressful situation).
PNS: “rest and digest” – returns the
body to normal physiological
functioning after “fight or flight”.
NEURONS • Nerve cells that Sensory: carry messages from the PNS
process and transmit to the CNS.
messages through Sensory neurons have LONG dendrites
electrical and and SHORT axons.
chemical signals. Relay: connect sensory neuron to
• Sensory, relay or motor and other relay neurons.
motor. Relay neurons have SHORT dendrites
• When a neuron is and SHORT axons.
activated by a Motor: connect the CNS to effectors –
stimulus, the neuron muscles and glands.
becomes positively Motor neurons have SHORT dendrites
charged causing and LONG axons.
action potential to
occur.
