Lecture notes
AQA PSYCHOLOGY Y1 Biopsychology Content Easy Notes
- Module
- Biopsychology
- Institution
- AQA
An easy to read document of Y1 Biopsychology content to help you revise :)
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
BIOPSYCHOLOGY Y1SPECIFICATION
The divisions of the nervous system: central and peripheral (somatic and
autonomic).
The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons. The
process of synaptic transmission, including reference to neurotransmitters,
excitation and inhibition.
The function of the endocrine system: glands and hormones.
The fight or flight response including the role of adrenaline.
KEY TERMS
- Nervous system: consists of the CNS and the peripheral nervous system;
communicates using electrical signals.
- Central nervous system (CNS): consists of the brain and spinal cord and is the
origin of all complex commands and decisions.
- Peripheral nervous system (PNS): sends information to the CNS from the
outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to the muscles and glands
in the body.
- Somatic nervous system (SNS): transmits information from the receptor cells in
the sense organs to the CNS and receives information from the CNS which
directs muscles to act.
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS): transmits information to and from internal
bodily organs. It is “autonomic” as the system operates involuntarily
(automatic) and has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous systems.
- Neuron: nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and
chemical signals.
- Sensory neurons: these carry messages from PNS to CNS. They have long
dendrites, short axons.
- Relay neurons: these connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay
neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.
- Motor neurons: these connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands.
They have short dendrites and long axons.
- Gland: an organ in the body that synthesizes substances such as hormones.
, - Hormones: chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and only
affect target organs. Produced in large quantities and disappear quickly;
powerful.
- Adrenaline: a hormone produced by the adrenal glands (part of the body’s
immediate stress response system). It has a strong effect on the cells in the
cardiovascular system – stimulating heart rate, contracting blood vessels, and
dilating air passages.
- Synaptic transmission: the process by which neighboring neurons communicate
with each other by sending chemical messages across the synapses.
- Neurotransmitter: brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay
signals across the synapse from one neuron to another. They can be broadly
divided to those that perform an excitatory function and those that perform an
inhibitory function.
- Excitation: when a neurotransmitter, e.g. adrenaline, increases the positive
charge of the postsynaptic neuron. Increases likelihood that the postsynaptic
neuron will pass on the electrical impulse.
- Inhibition: when a neurotransmitter, e.g. serotonin, increases the negative
charge of the postsynaptic neuron. This decreases the likelihood that the
postsynaptic neuron will pass on the electrical impulse.
2
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 oliviapeace6754. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £6.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
79373 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now