Key Definitions in AQA Psychology Biopsychology

Adrenaline

A hormone involved in a number of responses, namely the flight or fight response.

Autonomic nervous system

The nervous system responsible for automatic responses, such as sympathetic or parasympathetic responses.

Broca's area

An area in the left hemisphere that is dedicated to speech production i.e. the motor component.

Central nervous system

The nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord.

Circadian rhythms

(Circa = approximately, dian = a day) Biological processes which cycle in about 24 hours. For example, the sleep-wake cycle.

EEG

Electroencephalogram (electro = electrical activity, encephalo = brain, gram = measuring). An imaging technique to record electrical activity in the brain.

Endogenous pacemakers

Internal "clocks" that regulate biological rhythms, e.g. the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

ERP

Event-related potential - an imaging technique similar to an EEC, except baseline activity is filtered, so electrical activity in response to a stimulus can be recorded.

Excitation

A signal sent to the next nerve making it more likely to fire.

Exogenous zeitgebers

External cues that influence biological rhythms. For example, daylight influences the sleep-wake cycle.

Fight-or-flight response

The sympathetic responses that increase activity to areas designed to help you escape or prepare for a fight e.g. increased blood flow to muscles, reduced blood flow to the gut.

fMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging - an imaging technique that monitors blood flow in the brain. It allows insight into which areas of the brain are used for particular activities.

Glands

An organ that synthesises and releases substances (e.g. hormones) for specific purposes.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to regulate certain processes in the body.

Infradian rhythms

(Infra = below, dian = a day) Biological rhythms that occur less often than once a day, meaning, they cycle in periods a lot longer than 24 hours. For example, the menstrual cycle.

Inhibition

A signal sent to the next nerve making it less likely to fire.

Lateralisation (hemispheric) of function

The concept that different hemispheres in the brain have differing functions. For example, the language functions are typically lateralised to the left hemisphere of the brain.

Localisation of function

The concept of functions in the brain being specific to certain areas. For example, Broca's area is specific to language production.

Motor neurones

A type of neuron that activates an effector organ (muscles, glands, organs).

Peripheral nervous system

The nervous system that exists outside the central nervous system, in the periphery; your arms, legs etc.

Plasticity

Specifically brain plasticity; the ability of the brain to adapt to situations, and change its structure - even to potentially regain previously lost function.

Relay neurons

A neuron found in the CNS which allows communication between sensory and motor neurons.

Sensory neurons

A neuron that transmits sensory information from the environment to an interneuron after converting it to electrical activity.

Somatic nervous system

The nervous system in control of conscious, voluntary movements of the periphery.

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

Two small, paired nuclei in the brain that are responsible for controlling many circadian rhythms in the human body. For example, they regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Ultradian rhythms

(Ultra = above, dian = a day) Biological rhythms that occur more often than 24 hours, meaning they cycle in periods shorter than 24 hours. For example the sleep cycle, occurring every 90 minutes.

Wernicke's area

An area in the left hemisphere that is dedicated to speech comprehension.