Download Module 6

The Nervous System and the Endocrine
System: Communicating Within the Body
Chapter 2, Pages 63-70
Essentials of Understanding Psychology- Sixth Edition
PSY110 Psychology
© Richard Goldman
October 4, 2006
Complexity
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One neuron may connect to 80,000 other
neurons
Total neural connection may exceed one
quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000 – 15
zeros)
Endocrine system communicates by using
hormones that travel through the blood
system
The Nervous System
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Central Nervous System (CNS) – Brain &
Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System – From spinal
cord to exremities
Spinal Cord
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Conduit
Reflexes
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Sensory (afferent) neurons
Motor (efferent) neurons – (muscles)
Interneuron – connect sensory to motor
Peripheral Nervous System
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Somatic (Voluntary) – Senses & Voluntary
Movement
Autonomic (Involuntary) – Unconscious
bodily functions
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Sympathetic – Prep the body for emergency (fight
or flight)
Parasympathetic – Calm the body
Nervous
System
Evolutionary and Behavioral
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Genetics predisposes people to behave in
particular ways or to have particular
characteristics
Endocrine System
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Hormones (chemical messengers) affect function
and growth of parts of the body
Pituitary (Master Gland) – Regulated by the
hypothalamus – Responsible for growth &
homeostasis
Thyroid (&Parathyroid) – Metabolism
Thymus – Immune system
Adrenal Gland & Pancreas – Produce Insulin &
Glucagon – control sugar metabolism
Ovary & Testis – Produce sex hormones
Endocrine
System