AQA A Level Psychology - Biopsychology:
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1. What compo- the brain and spinal cord
nents make up
the central ner-
vous system?
2. What is the func- - the brain is the centre of awareness
tion of the brain? - it controls perception and motor control
- it is responsible for regulating bodily processes and
maintaining homeostasis (e.g. maintaining temperature
and hormone levels based on information from the pe-
ripheral nervous system)
3. Describe the di-
visions of the
nervous system.
4. brain labelled
5. What is the func- Relays information between the brain and body
tion of the spinal Coordinates reflexes via reflex arc (automatic responses)
cord? Transmits sensory signals from body to brain
Sends motor commands from brain to muscles/glands
6. What is the struc- - Made of sensory and motor neurones
ture of the pe-
ripheral nervous Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): outside the brain and
system? spinal cord
Somatic Nervous System: controls voluntary movements;
sensory & motor pathways
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Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): controls involuntary
functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion)
-> Sympathetic Nervous System: "fight or flight"; increas-
es arousal
->Parasympathetic Nervous System: "rest and digest";
calms the body after arousal
7. What is the func- Connects CNS to the body (limbs, organs, etc.)
tion of the pe- Transmits sensory information from body to CNS
ripheral nervous Carries motor commands from CNS to muscles/glands
system? Controls voluntary movements (somatic nervous system)
Regulates involuntary functions (autonomic nervous sys-
tem: heart rate, digestion)
8. The peripheral autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
nervous system
has two divi-
sions, what are
they?
9. What is the role - Made of sensory and motor neurones
of the autonom- - Regulates involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate, breath-
ic nervous sys- ing, digestion)
tem? - Maintains homeostasis (internal balance)
- Divided into two branches:
10. What is the role - Made of sensory and motor neurones
of the somat- - Voluntary body movement and sensing external stimuli
ic nervous sys- - It inputs from sense organs (5 senses) and outputs to
tems? muscles, skin and joints by receiving a signal to respond
to the changes detected.
Example: catching a ball-your eyes detect the ball moving
, AQA A Level Psychology - Biopsychology:
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towards you, brain assesses info, then instructs the mus-
cles of your arm to reach out and catch the ball.
11. Which division Autonomic
of the Pe-
ripheral Nervous
System contains
the sympathetic
and parasympa-
thetic divisions?
12. What is the role Made of motor neurones
of the sympa- Activates "fight or flight" response during stress or danger
thetic nervous Increases arousal: raises heart rate, blood pressure, and
systems? breathing rate
Dilates pupils for better vision
Inhibits digestion to conserve energy
Releases adrenaline from adrenal glands
Redirects blood flow to muscles
13. What is the role Made of motor neurones
of the parasym- Activates "rest and digest" response after stress
pathetic nervous Reduces arousal: lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and
systems? breathing rate
Promotes digestion: stimulates saliva, increases diges-
tive enzyme production
Conserves energy: promotes relaxation and recovery
Constricts pupils
Encourages waste elimination (e.g., bladder function)
14. Describe the Cell Body (Soma):
structure of a Contains the nucleus and organelles
neuron. Integrates incoming signals
Dendrites:
Branch-like structures
Receive signals from other neurons or sensory receptors
Axon:
Long, slender projection
Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body
Myelin Sheath:
, AQA A Level Psychology - Biopsychology:
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Fatty layer surrounding the axon
Increases speed of impulse transmission (saltatory con-
duction)
Formed by Schwann cells in the PNS; oligodendrocytes
in the CNS
Node of Ranvier:
Gaps in the myelin sheath
Facilitates rapid signal conduction
Axon Terminals (Synaptic Boutons):
End of the axon branches
Release neurotransmitters to communicate with other
neurons or muscles
15. What is the struc- Long dendrites and short axons
ture of sensory Receptor endings (e.g., skin, eyes)
neurones?
16. What is the func- Transmit sensory information (e.g., touch, pain, tempera-
tion of sensory ture) from peripheral receptors to the CNS
neurones?
17. What is the struc- Short dendrites and axons
ture of relay neu- Located within the CNS (brain and spinal cord)
rones?
18. What is the func- Connect sensory and motor neurons
tion of relay neu- Process and relay information between neurons
rones?
19. What is the struc- Long axons and short dendrites
ture of motor Cell bodies located in the CNS, extending to muscles
neurones?
20. Which part of the Spinal cord
central nervous
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