Biopsychology (definitions)

Question 1

The nervous system

Answer 1

A specialised network of cells which acts as our primary internal communication system

Question 2

The central nervous system

Answer 2

The origin of all complex commands and decisions, made up of the brain and spinal chord

Question 3

The peripheral nervous system

Answer 3

Sends information from the outside world to the CNS, and from the CNS to muscles and glands

Question 4

The somatic nervous system

Answer 4

Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors

Question 5

The autonomic nervous system

Answer 5

Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs, governing vital functions in the body

Question 6

The endocrine system

Answer 6

A major information system which instructs glands to create and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, controlling vital functions in the body

Question 7

The parasympathetic state

Answer 7

The autonomic nervous system’s normal resting state

Question 8

The sympathetic state

Answer 8

The autonomic nervous system’s physiologically aroused state

Question 9

Gland

Answer 9

An organ in the body which synthesises substances such as hormones

Question 10

Hormones

Answer 10

Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and affect target organs

Question 11

Neuron

Answer 11

Nerve cell which processes and transmits messages through electrical and chemical signals

Question 12

Sensory neurons

Answer 12

Neurons which carry messages from the PNS to the CNS

Question 13

Relay neurons

Answer 13

Neurons which connect the sensory neurons to the motor neurons

Question 14

Motor neurons

Answer 14

Neurons which carry messages from the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands

Question 15

Nucleus (soma)

Answer 15

Part of the neuron which contains the genetic material of the cell

Question 16

Dendrites

Answer 16

Branch-like structures which carries nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body

Question 17

Axon

Answer 17

Part of the neuron which carries impulses away from the cell body down the length of the neuron

Question 18

Myelin sheath

Answer 18

A fatty layer which protects the axon and speeds up electrical transmission of the impulse

Question 19

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 19

Gaps in the myelin sheath which speed up the transmission of the electrical impulse by forcing it to jump

Question 20

Terminal buttons

Answer 20

The end of the axon which communicates with the next neuron across the synapse

Question 21

Synaptic transmission

Answer 21

The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical signals across the synapse

Question 22

Neurotransmitter

Answer 22

Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another

Question 23

Excitation

Answer 23

When a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron, increasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire

Question 24

Inhibition

Answer 24

When a neurotransmitter increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron, decreasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire

Question 25

Action potential

Answer 25

Information in the form of an electrical impulse which travels down the axon

Question 26

Localisation of function

Answer 26

The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes, and functions

Question 27

Lateralisation

Answer 27

When particular functions are controlled by a particular hemisphere of the brain

Question 28

Frontal lobe

Answer 28

The 'motor area' of the cortex, which sends messages to the muscles via the brain stem and spinal chord

Question 29

Parietal lobe

Answer 29

The 'somatosensory area' of the cortex, where sensory information from the skin is represented

Question 30

Occipital lobe

Answer 30

The 'visual area' of the cortex, which receives visual information contralaterally from the eyes

Question 31

Temporal lobe

Answer 31

The 'auditory area' of the cortex, which receives auditory information contralaterally from the ears

Question 32

Broca's area

Answer 32

The small area in the left frontal lobe responsible for speech production

Question 33

Wernicke's area

Answer 33

The region in the left temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension

Question 34

Holistic theory of the brain

Answer 34

The theory that all areas of the brain are involved in the processing of thought and action

Question 35

Plasticity

Answer 35

The tendency of the brain to change and adapt, physically and functionally, as a result of experience and new learning

Question 36

Functional recovery

Answer 36

Following damage, the ability of the brain to redistribute functions usually performed by a damaged area to an undamaged area

Question 37

Synaptic pruning

Answer 37

The process of removing rarely used synaptic connections which occurs as we age

Question 38

Synaptogenesis

Answer 38

The rapid expansion in synaptic connections which occurs as the brain experiences a bombardment of sensory input

Question 39

Axonal sprouting

Answer 39

Following brain damage, the growth of new nerve endings which connect with undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways

Question 40

Recruitment of homologous areas

Answer 40

Following brain damage, when the equivalent area on the opposite side of the brain to the damaged area carries out its function

Question 41

Commissurotomy

Answer 41

Split-brain surgery in which the corpus callosum and other tissue connecting the two hemispheres of the brain is severed

Question 42

fMRI

Answer 42

A brain scanning method which detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow to identify active regions of the brain

Question 43

EEG

Answer 43

A measure of electrical activity in the brain via electrodes fixed to the scalp which provides an overall account of brain activity

Question 44

ERP

Answer 44

statistical analysis of EEGs which isolates the brain's electrophysiological response to a particular stimulus

Question 45

Post-mortem examinations

Answer 45

Analysis of the physical brain after death to identify abnormalities which can be linked to behaviour in the individual's life

Question 46

Biological rhythm

Answer 46

A distinct pattern of changes in bodily activity which conforms to cyclical time periods

Question 47

Endogenous pacemakers

Answer 47

The body's internal biological 'clock' which influences biological rhythms

Question 48

Exogenous zeitgebers

Answer 48

External changes in the environment which influence biological rhythms

Question 49

Circadian rhythm

Answer 49

A biological rhythm which occurs once every 24 hours

Question 50

Infradian rhythm

Answer 50

A biological rhythm which occurs less than once every 24 hours

Question 51

Ultradian rhythm

Answer 51

A biological rhythm which occurs more than once every 24 hours

Question 52

REM sleep

Answer 52

The sleep stage in which the body is paralysed but brain activity speeds up significantly. At this point you have fast, jerky eye movements. This phase of sleep is known to be associated with dreaming.

Question 53

Developmental plasticity

Answer 53

The tendency of the brain to change and adapt during infancy as the brain is exposed to a vast range of experiences, environments and stimuli

Question 54

Adaptive plasticity

Answer 54

The ability of the brain to change and adapt through functional brain recovery following trauma

Question 55

Neurorehabilitation

Answer 55

The process of supporting people after brain trauma to regain as much function as possible

Question 56

SAD

Answer 56

Seasonal Affective Disorder: irritability, despair, and lack of motivation triggered in winter when daylight hours are reduced