1. Biopsychology Glossary

Question 1

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 1

The complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the body.

Question 2

The peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 2

The nervous system outside the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 3

Neurotransmitter

Answer 3

A CHEMICAL substance which is released from the end of a nerve fibre by the arrival of a nerve impulse. Diffuses across the synapse and affects the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fibre.

Question 4

Hormone

Answer 4

A regulatory SUBSTANCE that acts as a CHEMICAL MESSENGER in the endocrine system.

Question 5

Motor neuron

Answer 5

A nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.

Question 6

Sensory neuron

Answer 6

Nerve that transmits sensory information. Activated by input, sends projections to other elements of the nervous system, conveying info to the brain or spinal cord.

Question 7

Relay neuron

Answer 7

Carry messages from one part of the CNS to another

Question 8

Synapse

Answer 8

A junction between two nerve cells. Minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.

Question 9

Endocrine system

Answer 9

Collection of glands which release hormones regulating metabolism, growth and development, tissue and sexual function, sleep and mood among others

Question 10

Gland

Answer 10

An organ in the human body which secretes particular chemical substances for use in the body.

Question 11

Fight or flight response

Answer 11

Instinctive physiological response to a threatening situation which readies to resist with force or run away.

Question 12

Localisation of function

Answer 12

Refers tot the concept that different parts of the brain are responsible for different things

Question 13

Motor cortex

Answer 13

The part of the cerebral cortex in the brain in which originate the nerve impulses that initiate voluntary muscular activity

Question 14

Central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 14

The complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the body.

Question 15

The peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Answer 15

The nervous system outside the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 16

Neurotransmitter

Answer 16

A CHEMICAL substance which is released from the end of a nerve fibre by the arrival of a nerve impulse. Diffuses across the synapse and affects the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fibre.

Question 17

Hormone

Answer 17

A regulatory SUBSTANCE that acts as a CHEMICAL MESSENGER in the endocrine system.

Question 18

Motor neuron

Answer 18

A nerve cell forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.

Question 19

Sensory neuron

Answer 19

Nerve that transmits sensory information. Activated by input, sends projections to other elements of the nervous system, conveying info to the brain or spinal cord.

Question 20

Relay neuron

Answer 20

Carry messages from one part of the CNS to another

Question 21

Synapse

Answer 21

A junction between two nerve cells. Minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.

Question 22

Endocrine system

Answer 22

Collection of glands which release hormones regulating metabolism, growth and development, tissue and sexual function, sleep and mood among others

Question 23

Gland

Answer 23

An organ in the human body which secretes particular chemical substances for use in the body.

Question 24

Fight or flight response

Answer 24

Instinctive physiological response to a threatening situation which readies to resist with force or run away.

Question 25

Localisation of function

Answer 25

Refers tot the concept that different parts of the brain are responsible for different things

Question 26

Motor cortex

Answer 26

The part of the cerebral cortex in the brain in which originate the nerve impulses that initiate voluntary muscular activity

Question 27

EEG

Answer 27

A way to measure patterns in electrical brain activity by placing electrodes on the scalp which detect electrical changes in brain cell activity. The output is in waves, alpha, beta, theta and delta. EEG can be used to detect epilepsy and Alzheimer's.

Question 28

fMRI

Answer 28

A way to measure brain activity by observing changes in blood flow. Radio waves and magnetic fields are used to detect areas which are demanding more oxygen, hence increasing blood flow into the areas.

Question 29

ERPs

Answer 29

Similar to the EEG, the ERP measures electrical brain activity in a more precise way by reducing the electrical noise in a particular area.

Question 30

Post-Mortem examinations

Answer 30

After death, a patients brain is examined for physical abnormalities which gives a better idea of the causes of abnormal behaviour. Can focus on the balance of hormones and neurotransmitters and neuroanatomy.