Key Words Flashcards
Nervous system
Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Communicates using electrical signals
Central nervous system
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions
Peripheral nervous system
Sends information to the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body
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
Autonomic nervous system
Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. It is ‘autonomic’ as the system operates involuntarily (i.e. automatic). It has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Neuron
The basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
Sensory neurons
These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons
Relay neurons
These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons
Motor neurons
These connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons
Synaptic transmission
The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap (the synapse) that separates them
Neurotransmitter
Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another. Neurotransmitters can be broadly divided into those that perform an excitatory function and those that perform an inhibitory function
Excitation
When a neurotransmitter, such as adrenaline, increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron. This increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will pass on the electrical impulse
Inhibition
When a neurotransmitter, such as serotonin, increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron. This decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will pass on the electrical impulse
Localisation of function
The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours, processes or activities
Motor area
A region of the frontal lobe involved in regulating movement
Somatosensory area
An area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory information such as touch
Visual area
A part of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual information
Auditory area
Located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of speech-based information
Broca’s area
An area of the frontal lobe in the left hemisphere (in most people), responsible for speech production
Wernicke’s area
An area of the temporal lobe (encircling the auditory cortex) in the left hemisphere (in most people), responsible for language comprehension
Hemispheric lateralisation
The idea that the two halves (hemispheres) of the brain are functionally different and that certain mental processes and behaviours are mainly controlled by one hemisphere rather than the other, as in the example of language (which is localised as well as lateralised)
Split-brain research
A series of studies which began in the 1960s (and are still ongoing) involving people with epilepsy who had experienced a surgical separation of the hemispheres of their brain to reduce the severity of their epilepsy. This enabled researchers to test lateral functions of the brain in isolation
Plasticity
This describes the brain’s tendency to change and adapt as a result of experience and new learning. This generally involves the growth of new connections
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(s) to other, undamaged area(s)
