biopsychology

Central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, acting as the main processing centre for incoming information and decision-making.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The network of neurons that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

The branch of the peripheral nervous system that governs involuntary, automatic processes.

Somatic nervous system

The branch of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary actions by directing signals to skeletal muscles.

Sensory neuron

A type of neuron that carries signals from receptors to the central nervous system.

Relay neuron

A type of neuron found within the central nervous system that connects sensory and motor neurons.

Motor neuron

A type of neuron that transmits signals from the central nervous system to effectors.

Reflex arc

A streamlined neural circuit that bypasses higher brain centres to produce a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus.

sympathetic nervous system

monitors stress/fight or flight response

parasympathetic nervous system

handles relaxation/rest and digest

How does the detection of a stimulus lead to a response

1. a stimulus is detected by receptors.

2. Sensory neurons carry this signal to the central nervous system

3. relay neurons in CNS process the information.

4. Next, motor neurons transmit the signal from the CNS to effectors that carry out the response

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

A brain-scanning technique that measures blood flow in the brain when a person performs a task.

strength of fMRI

Provides a non-invasive method to observe brain activity in real time.

limitations of fMRI

• Equipment is costly.

• difficult for claustrophobic patients

• poor temporal resolution,

temporal resolutions

How quickly a scanner can detect changes in brain activity.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A record of the tiny electrical impulses produced by the brain's activity, measured by electrodes on the scalp.

strengths of EEG

• Non-invasive

• good temporal resolution

limitations of EEG

Limitations:

• Poor spatial resolution

• Cannot detect activity from individual neuron’s, only from groups.

spacial resolution

The ability of a scanner to pinpoint the exact brain region where activity is occurring.

Event-related potentials (ERPs)

The brain's electrophysiological response to a specific sensory, cognitive, or motor event, isolated through statistical analysis of EEG data.

strength of ERP

Builds on EEG's temporal precision to link brain waves directly to stimuli.

limitation of ERP

poor spatial resolution

Post-mortem examinations

The analysis of a person's brain following their death to investigate structural abnormalities.

strengths of post mortem examinations

• Provides direct access to brain tissue for precise structural insights.

limitations of post mortem examinations

• invasive

• Cannot establish cause and effect in all cases.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons, or between a neuron and an effector cell

Synaptic cleft

The small gap separating the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that transmits signals across the synaptic cleft.

Receptor

A specialised site on the postsynaptic membrane that binds to specific neurotransmitters.

Summation

The process where the net effect of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters determines whether an impulse is generated.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure that controls the pituitary gland and links the nervous and endocrine systems.

Pituitary gland

'master gland' that releases hormones to influence the activity of other endocrine glands.

Gland

A group of specialised cells that secretes useful substances into the body.

Hormone

A chemical messenger carried in the bloodstream to target cells to initiate a response.

Endocrine system

A network of glands that produce and secrete hormones to regulate bodily processes.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable, balanced internal environment within the body.