AQA Psychology for A Level Year 2 - Student Bk

This spread and the following spread were presented in the AS/Year 1 book because the content forms part of the AS specification. For A level these two spreads are included in the stand- alone topic ’Biopsychology’ – on Paper 2 there is one section devoted to Biopsychology. At AS Biopsychology is examined as part of approaches. Human Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System Sympathetic Nervous System Central Nervous System Parasympathetic Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System Brain Somatic Nervous System Spinal Cord The specification says… The divisions of the nervous system: central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic). The function of the endocrine system: glands and hormones. The fight or flight response and the role of adrenaline. Humans, like animals, have two major physiological systems that regulate behaviour in response to the environment. These are the nervous system and the endocrine system. Key terms Nervous system – Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Central nervous system (CNS) – Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) – Sends information to the central nervous system (CNS) from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body. Somatic nervous system – Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the central nervous system (CNS). It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) – Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. It is ‘autonomic’ as the system operates involuntarily (i.e. it is automatic). It has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. the nervous system and the endocrine system The major sub-divisions of the human nervous system. The nervous system The nervous system is a specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system. It has two main functions: • To collect, process and respond to information in the environment. • To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body. It is divided into two sub-systems: • Central nervous system ( CNS ) • Peripheral nervous system ( PNS ). The central nervous system The CNS is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. • The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. The brain’s outer layer, the cerebral cortex , is highly developed in humans and is what distinguishes our higher mental functions from those of animals. Only a few living creatures – sponges, sea squirts, jellyfish and some Manchester United fans – do not have a brain. The brain is divided into two hemispheres . • The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. It is responsible for reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate. It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS. The peripheral nervous system The PNS transmits messages, via millions of neurons (nerve cells), to and from the central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is further sub-divided into the: • Autonomic nervous system ( ANS ) governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses. • Somatic nervous system ( SNS ) controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors. Concepts: A frightening experience Jim Bob was telling his friend Sue Ellen about his recent frightening experience. ‘I was walking home by myself in the dark. Suddenly, I heard a shuffling noise behind me and the faint smell of rotting flesh. I realised it was coming closer. I saw a bus at the bus stop and decided to run. I could hear the footsteps getting closer. I don’t think I’ve ever moved so quickly. I leapt on the bus – shaking, sweating and my heart was beating fast. I turned to see an empty street as the bus pulled away from the stop. Had I imagined it?’ Question Outline the role of the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system in behaviour. Refer to Jim Bob’s experience in your answer. @ookx hs @ookx hs Chapter 2 Biopsychology 34 •