100% satisfaction guarantee Immediately available after payment Both online and in PDF No strings attached
logo-home
Previously searched by you
Previously searched by you
logo
Summary Biopsychology Notes (AQA A-Level Psychology) $13.92
Add to cart
Quickly navigate to
Preview
  2.  
  3. AQA
  4.  
  5. Psychology
  6.  
  7. Biopsychology

Summary

Summary Biopsychology Notes (AQA A-Level Psychology)
 0 purchase
  • Course
  • Biopsychology
  • Institution
  • AQA
  • Book
  • Psychology A Level Year 1 and AS: The Complete Companion Student Book for AQA

Biopsychology Notes (AQA A-Level Psychology) This document covers all content on Biopsychology (AQA A-Level Psychology). The notes are very detailed but only include what is relevant to the course. There are abbreviations throughout that you should understand as a psychology student, but don't h...

[Show more]

Preview 3 out of 29  pages

Document information

  • No
  • The chapter on biopsychology
  • August 23, 2023
  • 29
  • 2023/2024
  • Summary

Subjects

  • aqa
  • alevel psychology
  • biopsychology

Connected book

book image

Book Title:

Author(s):

  • Edition:
  • ISBN:
  • Edition:

Written for

  • A/AS Level
  • AQA
  • Psychology
  • Biopsychology
All documents for this subject (357)

Seller

avatar-seller
evalancaster

Reviews received

Content preview

Biopsychology
Notes

Paper 2 - Section B

,Biopsychology
Animals have 2 systems that allow them to gain/respond to info from the environment:
- the nervous system
- the endocrine system

The nervous system
CNS → brain + spinal cord, where complex processing of info is done / decisions are made
PNS → brings info from senses to CNS and transmits info from CNS to muscles and glands

The central nervous system
● Brain - centre of awareness, responsible for complex command / decisions, divided
into 2 hemispheres (the cortex is more developed in humans than animals)
● Spinal cord - extension of brain, transports messages to / from the brain to the PNS.
It’s responsible for reflexes

The peripheral nervous system
Somatic nervous system (SNS): connects CNS to senses
- It receives info from the senses and transmits it to the CNS
- It transmits info from the CNS to direct movement of muscles
It operates on voluntary actions
- The SNS has sensory and motor pathways
- The SNS controls skeletal muscle, movement etc
- SNS carries commands from the motor cortex

Autonomic nervous system (ANS): maintains homeostasis
- Responsible for vital functions such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion
- It transmits info from and to the internal body organs such as the liver and the lungs
It operates automatically / involuntarily
- The ANS is purely motor pathways
- The ANS controls internal organs and glands of the body
- ANS control centres are in the brain stem

Sympathetic nervous system Parasympathetic nervous system

A division of the autonomic nervous system

Responses that help us deal with Once emergency passes it relaxes the
emergencies - ‘Fight or Flight (Freeze)’ system again - ‘Rest and Digest’

Increases HR/BR, dilates pupils, inhibits Decreases HR/BR, constricts pupils
digestion, inhibits saliva production, stimulates digestion, stimulates saliva
contracts Rectum production, relaxes Rectum

, The endocrine system
● Endocrine system - glands which produce hormones (chemical messengers)
● Hormones released in bloodstream to target organs / cells (contain receptors for
specific hormones) to have an effect
● Provides chemical system of communication

Difference between hormones neurotransmitters
System Endocrine System Nervous System

Point of release Glands Neurons

Transport Through blood stream/vessels Across a synapse

Destination Target cells of an organ Receptor site of receiving neuron

Speed of effect Longer effects (few sec - few days) Very fast (a few milliseconds)

Examples Thyroxine, testosterone… Dopamine, serotonin…




Hormone released Description
Gland

Hypothalamus Controls the Stimulates / controls the release of hormones from
pituitary gland the pituitary gland

Pituitary gland AKA master gland Releases hormones that control / stimulate the
release of hormones from other glands

Pineal gland Melatonin Responsible for important biological rhythms
(sleep-wake cycle)

Thyroid Thyroxine Affects cells in the heart (HR↑)
Regulates metabolism

Adrenal gland Adrenaline A (↑HR = ↑ blood to muscles/brain)
(medulla - in) Noradrenaline N(constricts blood vessels = ↓ blood pressure)
Prepare body for the ‘fight or flight’ response

Adrenal gland Cortisol Stimulates the release of glucose - provides body
(cortex - out) with energy, while suppressing immune system

Ovaries (F) Oestrogen Controls regulation of female reproduction,
including the menstrual cycle and pregnancy

Testes (M) Testosterone Responsible for development of male sex
characteristics during puberty
maintain muscle growth / facial hair / deep voice

The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.

Quick and easy check-out

Quick and easy check-out

You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.

Focus on what matters

Focus on what matters

Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!

Frequently asked questions

What do I get when I buy this document?

You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.

Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?

Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.

Who am I buying these notes from?

Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller evalancaster. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.

Will I be stuck with a subscription?

No, you only buy these notes for $13.92. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.

Can Stuvia be trusted?

4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)

66184 documents were sold in the last 30 days

Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 15 years now

Start selling
$13.92
  • (0)
Add to cart
Added