Biopsychology: Glossary Flashcards
Define nervous system
Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
Define central nervous system (CNS)
Consists of the brain and spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions.
Define somatic nervous system
Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act.
Define autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. It is ‘autonomic’ as the system operates involuntarily. It has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
Define neuron
The basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals.
Define sensory neurons
These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons.
Define relay neurons
These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.
Define motor neurons
These connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons.
Define localisation of function
The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes or activities.
Define motor area
A region of the frontal lobe involved in regulating movement.
Define somatosensory area
An area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information such as touch.
Define visual area
A part of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual information.
Define auditory area
Located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of speech based information.
Define Broca’s area
An area of the frontal lobe of the brain in the left hemisphere responsible for speech production.
Define Wernicke’s area
An area of the temporal lobe in the left hemisphere responsible for language comprehension.
Define plasticity (neuroplasticity/ cortical remapping)
This describes the brain’s tendency to change and adapt (functionally and physically) as a result of experience and new learning.
Define functional recovery
A form of plasticity. Following damage through trauma, the brain’s ability to redistribute or transfer functions usually performed by a damaged area to other, undamaged areas.
Define ACTH
Hormone released by the pituitary gland. Stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline into the bloodstream.
Define action potential
A spike in electric charge in an axon caused by sodium ions crossing the cell membrane.
Define adrenal glands
Small glands on top of each kidney that produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Define adrenaline
Key hormone in the stress response that is produced by the adrenal glands and increases heart rate, breathing rate etc.
Define axon
A single long slender fibre that carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body.
Define axon terminal
The very end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters and makes synaptic contact with the next neuron in the chain.
Define chromosome
Hold the genetic material that is passed between parents and offspring. Humans have 23 pairs.
Define dendrites
Root like structures protruding from the cell body that receive signals from other neurons.
Define empirical
Based on scientific testing or personal experience rather than theory or logic.
Define endocrine system
A collection of organs that secrete hormones into the blood stream.
Define evolution
Gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many generations.
Define excitation
Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site’s cell more likely to act.
Define fight or flight response
The way an animal (including humans) responds to stress as it becomes physiologically aroused to fight an aggressor or to run away.
Define genotype
A person’s unique genetic make-up that is coded in their chromosomes and fixed at conception.
Define hormones
Biochemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream in order to target specific organs.
Define hypothalamus
Part of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Releases hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland.
Define inhibition
Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site’s cell less likely to act.
Define myelin sheath
A fatty layer that protects the exon and speeds up the electrical transmission of the nerve impulse.
Define neurotransmitter
Chemicals that transfer signals from one neuron to another across the synapses that lie between them.
Define parasympathetic nervous system
Sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that controls the ‘rest and digest’ response.
Define peripheral nervous system
Sub-system of the nervous system that transmits messages from the body to the central nervous system and back again.
Define phenotype
The expression of a person’s genetic make-up that can be influenced by the environment.
Define pituitary gland
The ‘master gland’ of the endocrine system which is located in the brain and controls the release of hormones from other glands.
Define postsynaptic receptor sites
In the dendrites of the receiving neuron, they take up the neurotransmitter once it has crossed the synaptic gap.
Define sympathetic nervous system
Sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that controls the ‘fight or flight’ response.
Define synapse
The tiny gap between one neuron and the next.
Define synaptic transmission
The way that signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synaptic gap.
