Biopsychology: Glossary

Question 1

Define nervous system

Answer 1

Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Question 2

Define central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 2

Consists of the brain and spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions.

Question 3

Define somatic nervous system

Answer 3

Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act.

Question 4

Define autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Define neuron

Answer 5

The basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals.

Question 6

Define sensory neurons

Answer 6

These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons.

Question 7

Define relay neurons

Answer 7

These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.

Question 8

Define motor neurons

Answer 8

These connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons.

Question 9

Define localisation of function

Answer 9

The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes or activities.

Question 10

Define motor area

Answer 10

A region of the frontal lobe involved in regulating movement.

Question 11

Define somatosensory area

Answer 11

An area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information such as touch.

Question 12

Define visual area

Answer 12

A part of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual information.

Question 13

Define auditory area

Answer 13

Located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of speech based information.

Question 14

Define Broca’s area

Answer 14

An area of the frontal lobe of the brain in the left hemisphere responsible for speech production.

Question 15

Define Wernicke’s area

Answer 15

An area of the temporal lobe in the left hemisphere responsible for language comprehension.

Question 16

Define plasticity (neuroplasticity/ cortical remapping)

Answer 16

This describes the brain’s tendency to change and adapt (functionally and physically) as a result of experience and new learning.

Question 17

Define functional recovery

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Define ACTH

Answer 18

Hormone released by the pituitary gland. Stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline into the bloodstream.

Question 19

Define action potential

Answer 19

A spike in electric charge in an axon caused by sodium ions crossing the cell membrane.

Question 20

Define adrenal glands

Answer 20

Small glands on top of each kidney that produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

Question 21

Define adrenaline

Answer 21

Key hormone in the stress response that is produced by the adrenal glands and increases heart rate, breathing rate etc.

Question 22

Define axon

Answer 22

A single long slender fibre that carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body.

Question 23

Define axon terminal

Answer 23

The very end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters and makes synaptic contact with the next neuron in the chain.

Question 24

Define chromosome

Answer 24

Hold the genetic material that is passed between parents and offspring. Humans have 23 pairs.

Question 25

Define dendrites

Answer 25

Root like structures protruding from the cell body that receive signals from other neurons.

Question 26

Define empirical

Answer 26

Based on scientific testing or personal experience rather than theory or logic.

Question 27

Define endocrine system

Answer 27

A collection of organs that secrete hormones into the blood stream.

Question 28

Define evolution

Answer 28

Gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many generations.

Question 29

Define excitation

Answer 29

Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site’s cell more likely to act.

Question 30

Define fight or flight response

Answer 30

The way an animal (including humans) responds to stress as it becomes physiologically aroused to fight an aggressor or to run away.

Question 31

Define genotype

Answer 31

A person’s unique genetic make-up that is coded in their chromosomes and fixed at conception.

Question 32

Define hormones

Answer 32

Biochemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream in order to target specific organs.

Question 33

Define hypothalamus

Answer 33

Part of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Releases hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland.

Question 34

Define inhibition

Answer 34

Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse makes the receptor site’s cell less likely to act.

Question 35

Define myelin sheath

Answer 35

A fatty layer that protects the exon and speeds up the electrical transmission of the nerve impulse.

Question 36

Define neurotransmitter

Answer 36

Chemicals that transfer signals from one neuron to another across the synapses that lie between them.

Question 37

Define parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 37

Sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that controls the ‘rest and digest’ response.

Question 38

Define peripheral nervous system

Answer 38

Sub-system of the nervous system that transmits messages from the body to the central nervous system and back again.

Question 39

Define phenotype

Answer 39

The expression of a person’s genetic make-up that can be influenced by the environment.

Question 40

Define pituitary gland

Answer 40

The ‘master gland’ of the endocrine system which is located in the brain and controls the release of hormones from other glands.

Question 41

Define postsynaptic receptor sites

Answer 41

In the dendrites of the receiving neuron, they take up the neurotransmitter once it has crossed the synaptic gap.

Question 42

Define sympathetic nervous system

Answer 42

Sub-division of the autonomic nervous system that controls the ‘fight or flight’ response.

Question 43

Define synapse

Answer 43

The tiny gap between one neuron and the next.

Question 44

Define synaptic transmission

Answer 44

The way that signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synaptic gap.