Summary
Summary Biopsychology
- Institution
- AQA
Summary of 13 pages for the course Unit 3 PSYA3 - Topics in Psychology at AQA (Biopsychology)
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Divisions of the Nervous SystemCentral
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal
cord.
The hindbrain (pons, medulla, cerebellum) is a continuation of the spinal
cord carrying on into the bottom of the brain – the brain stem – mainly
composed of sensory and motor neurons. The cerebellum controls
movement and motor coordination.
The forebrain is divided into 2 parts.
The diencephalon contains the:
Thalamus: concerned with relaying sensory information from the
brainstem to the cortex.
Hypothalamus: controls basic functions such as hunger, thirst, sexual
behaviour; also controls the pituitary gland.
The cerebral hemispheres control higher level cognitive and emotional
processes:
The limbic system is involved in learning, memory and emotions
The basal ganglia is involved in motor activities and movement
The neocortex/cerebral cortex is involved with planning, problem-solving,
language, consciousness and personality
Peripheral (autonomic and somatic)
The portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal
cord. The primary function of the peripheral nervous system is to connect
the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body and the external
environment.
This is accomplished through nerves that carry information from sensory
receptors in the eyes, ears, skin, nose and tongue, as well as stretch
receptors and nociceptors in muscles, glands and other internal organs.
The PNS is made up of 31 spinal nerves which radiate out from the spinal
cord and can be divided into the:
Somatic Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System (SNS) connects the central nervous system with
the senses and is composed of:
Sensory nerve pathways bring information to the CNS from sensory
receptors, dealing with touch, pain, pressure, temperature etc.
Motor nerve pathways which control bodily movement by carrying
instructions towards muscles
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