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A2 AQA Psychology > Biopsychology (definitions) > Flashcards

Biopsychology (definitions) Flashcards

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1
Q

The nervous system

A

A specialised network of cells which acts as our primary internal communication system

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2
Q

The central nervous system

A

The origin of all complex commands and decisions, made up of the brain and spinal chord

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3
Q

The peripheral nervous system

A

Sends information from the outside world to the CNS, and from the CNS to muscles and glands

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4
Q

The somatic nervous system

A

Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors

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5
Q

The autonomic nervous system

A

Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs, governing vital functions in the body

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6
Q

The endocrine system

A

A major information system which instructs glands to create and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, controlling vital functions in the body

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7
Q

The parasympathetic state

A

The autonomic nervous system’s normal resting state

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8
Q

The sympathetic state

A

The autonomic nervous system’s physiologically aroused state

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9
Q

Gland

A

An organ in the body which synthesises substances such as hormones

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10
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and affect target organs

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11
Q

Neuron

A

Nerve cell which processes and transmits messages through electrical and chemical signals

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12
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Neurons which carry messages from the PNS to the CNS

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13
Q

Relay neurons

A

Neurons which connect the sensory neurons to the motor neurons

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14
Q

Motor neurons

A

Neurons which carry messages from the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands

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15
Q

Nucleus (soma)

A

Part of the neuron which contains the genetic material of the cell

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16
Q

Dendrites

A

Branch-like structures which carries nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body

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17
Q

Axon

A

Part of the neuron which carries impulses away from the cell body down the length of the neuron

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18
Q

Myelin sheath

A

A fatty layer which protects the axon and speeds up electrical transmission of the impulse

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19
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps in the myelin sheath which speed up the transmission of the electrical impulse by forcing it to jump

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20
Q

Terminal buttons

A

The end of the axon which communicates with the next neuron across the synapse

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21
Q

Synaptic transmission

A

The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical signals across the synapse

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22
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another

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23
Q

Excitation

A

When a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire

24
Q

Inhibition

A

When a neurotransmitter increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron, decreasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire

25
Q

Action potential

A

Information in the form of an electrical impulse which travels down the axon

26
Q

Localisation of function

A

The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes, and functions

27
Q

Lateralisation

A

When particular functions are controlled by a particular hemisphere of the brain

28
Q

Frontal lobe

A

The ‘motor area’ of the cortex, which sends messages to the muscles via the brain stem and spinal chord

29
Q

Parietal lobe

A

The ‘somatosensory area’ of the cortex, where sensory information from the skin is represented

30
Q

Occipital lobe

A

The ‘visual area’ of the cortex, which receives visual information contralaterally from the eyes

31
Q

Temporal lobe

A

The ‘auditory area’ of the cortex, which receives auditory information contralaterally from the ears

32
Q

Broca’s area

A

The small area in the left frontal lobe responsible for speech production

33
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

The region in the left temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension

34
Q

Holistic theory of the brain

A

The theory that all areas of the brain are involved in the processing of thought and action

35
Q

Plasticity

A

The tendency of the brain to change and adapt, physically and functionally, as a result of experience and new learning

36
Q

Functional recovery

A

Following damage, the ability of the brain to redistribute functions usually performed by a damaged area to an undamaged area

37
Q

Synaptic pruning

A

The process of removing rarely used synaptic connections which occurs as we age

38
Q

Synaptogenesis

A

The rapid expansion in synaptic connections which occurs as the brain experiences a bombardment of sensory input

39
Q

Axonal sprouting

A

Following brain damage, the growth of new nerve endings which connect with undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways

40
Q

Recruitment of homologous areas

A

Following brain damage, when the equivalent area on the opposite side of the brain to the damaged area carries out its function

41
Q

Commissurotomy

A

Split-brain surgery in which the corpus callosum and other tissue connecting the two hemispheres of the brain is severed

42
Q

fMRI

A

A brain scanning method which detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow to identify active regions of the brain

43
Q

EEG

A

A measure of electrical activity in the brain via electrodes fixed to the scalp which provides an overall account of brain activity

44
Q

ERP

A

statistical analysis of EEGs which isolates the brain’s electrophysiological response to a particular stimulus

45
Q

Post-mortem examinations

A

Analysis of the physical brain after death to identify abnormalities which can be linked to behaviour in the individual’s life

46
Q

Biological rhythm

A

A distinct pattern of changes in bodily activity which conforms to cyclical time periods

47
Q

Endogenous pacemakers

A

The body’s internal biological ‘clock’ which influences biological rhythms

48
Q

Exogenous zeitgebers

A

External changes in the environment which influence biological rhythms

49
Q

Circadian rhythm

A

A biological rhythm which occurs once every 24 hours

50
Q

Infradian rhythm

A

A biological rhythm which occurs less than once every 24 hours

51
Q

Ultradian rhythm

A

A biological rhythm which occurs more than once every 24 hours

52
Q

REM sleep

A

The sleep stage in which the body is paralysed but brain activity speeds up significantly. At this point you have fast, jerky eye movements. This phase of sleep is known to be associated with dreaming.

53
Q

Developmental plasticity

A

The tendency of the brain to change and adapt during infancy as the brain is exposed to a vast range of experiences, environments and stimuli

54
Q

Adaptive plasticity

A

The ability of the brain to change and adapt through functional brain recovery following trauma

55
Q

Neurorehabilitation

A

The process of supporting people after brain trauma to regain as much function as possible

56
Q

SAD

A

Seasonal Affective Disorder: irritability, despair, and lack of motivation triggered in winter when daylight hours are reduced

A2 AQA Psychology (12 decks)

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