Biospychology Definitions Flashcards
Define a 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 neuron?
These carry messages from the Peripheral Nervous System to the Central Nervous system. Long dendrites and short axons.
Define relay neuron?
These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. Short dendrites and short axons.
Define motor neuron?
These connect the Central Nervous System to effectors such as muscles and glands. Short dendrites and long axons.
Define a gland?
An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones.
Define a hormone?
A biochemical substance that circulates in the blood but only really affects target organs. They are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly. Their effects are powerful.
Define the Motor area?
A region of the frontal lobe involved in regulating movement.
Define the Somatosensory area?
An area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information, such as touch.
Define the visual area?
A part of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual infomation.
Define the auditory area?
Located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of speech-based infomation.
Define Broca’s area?
An area of the frontal love 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 Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining (fMRI)?
A method used to measure brain activity while a person is performing a task. fMRI detects radio waves from changing magnetic fields. This enables researchers to detect which regions of the brain are rich in oxygen and thus are active.
