A* worthy Psychology notes AQA
These notes have been created over the past two years according to the specification. It includes - diagrams, AO1 and AO3.
Many of my friends have also used these notes and have claimed that it has really helped them and saved their A levels just in time.
I hope ...
, Nervous system Endocrine system Endocrine system + and the ANS work together for flight or fight
response.
- Network of cells + primary Stressor perceived by hypothalamus which activated= the pituitary.
- Works alongside the nervous system to control vital Systematic nervous system - aroused.
communication system functions in the body through the actions of hormones Adrenaline - released from adrenal medulla into the bloodstream.
- Based on electrical + chemical - More slowly than the nervous system This delivers the aroused state causing changes in target organs in
signals the body
1. To collect + process + respond to Glands - Increased heart rate
info in the environment - Organs that produce hormones - Dilation of pupils
2. Co ordinate the working different - Pituitary gland: master gland controls the release of - Decreased production of saliva
organs + cells in the body hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body - Immediate + automatic - this response happens instant a
CNS threat is perceived.
Hormones Parasympathetic
- CNS = brain + spinal cord - Secreted in the bloodstream + affect any cell in the body - Takes over once the threat has passed.
- Brain - conscious awareness that has a receptor for the particular hormone - Returns the body to it resting state. Reduces the activities
- Outer layer - cerebral cortex - Thyroxine - produced by thyroid gland affects cells in the of the body that were increased by the actions of the
- 2 hemispheres heart and cells throughout the body which increases sympathetic branch.
metabolic rates.
Spinal cord
- Extension on the brain
- Responsible for reflex actions
- Passes messages to and from the
brain + connects the nerves to the
PNS
PNS
- Transmits messages via neurons
1. Autonomic - vital functions in the
body - involuntary ( heart rate +
breathing rate)
2. Somatic - voluntary
- Muscle movement + received info
from sensory receptors
, Structure + function of neurons Synaptic transmission
- Synapse: neuron is separated from the next - by a synapse
80% of neurons located in the brain - Chemical transmission: signals transmitted electrically within neuron
1. Sensory - long dendrites + short axons - Between neuron - chemically across
2. Relay - short dendrites + short axons - End of presynaptic terminal - triggers neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles to
3. Motor - short dendrites + long axons be released.
- Crosses gap - taken up by postsynaptic receptor site on next neuron - impulse travels
-
Cell body one direction.
-
Dendrites - Chemical converted back into electrical.
-
Axon: covered by myelin sheath - has schwann cells - nodes of ranvier - Acetylcholine - found where a motor neuron meets a muscle - causes muscle to
-
Terminal buttons at the end of axon - to communicate with the next contract
neuron in the chain across a gap called a - synapse - Serotonin - affects mood + social behaviour links to depression.
Resting state Excitation:
- Inside is negatively charged compared to outside - Adrenaline - increases positive charge of postsynaptic neuron - more likely neuron
Activated will fire
- Inside is positively charged cause an action potential to occur Inhibitory:
- Creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards the end of - Serotonin - increases negative charge of postsynaptic neuron - less likely to fire.
the neuron. Both
- Dopamine
Summation:
- Excitatory + inhibitory summed + must reach a threshold in order for an action
potential to be triggered.
- If net effect = inhibitory = less likely to fire.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
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
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
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 s19psychologynotes. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £13.59. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
