Biopsychology

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Released by the pituitary land playing a large role in the response to stress

Action Potential

A short increase and decrease of electrical activity in the membrane of a neuron, transmitting a signal away from the cell body

Adrenal Glands

Small lands located ontop of each kidney in the endocrine system produces hormones (e.g. adrenaline)

Auditory Area

Located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of speech-based information

Adrenaline

Hormone part of the body's immediate stress response system

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Transfers information to and from internal bodily organs

Axon

The long projection of the neuron from the cell body

Axonal Sprouting

Sprouts grow from axons to reinnervate denervated target cells to form new pathways in the brain

Axon Terminal

A specialised region at the end of an axon that contains finger like projections

Biological Rhythms

Pattern of changes in body activity that conformto cyclical time periods

Broca's area

In left hemisphere of the frontal lob, responsible for speech production

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Made of the brain and spinal cord that is responsible for all conscious awareness, experience, and reflex action

Circadian Rhymths

A biological rhythm lasting for the 24-hour cycle

Dendrites

Branching projections from the end of a neuron carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons

Denervation Sensitivity

A phenomenon peculiar to smooth muscles innervated by the general visceral efferent system

Electroencephalogram (EEGs)

A test, of small metal electrodes attached to the sculp, that measures electrical activity in the brain

Endocrine System

A network of glands across the body that secretes hormones (chemical messages)

Endogenous Pacemakers

Internal body clocks that regulate many of our biological rhythms.

Event-related Potentials (ERPs)

Very small voltages generated in the brain structures in response to specific events or stimuli

Excitation

When receptor stimulation results an increase in positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron causing biological rhythms

Exogenous Zeitgebers

External factors that affect or entrain our biological rhythms, such as the influence of light on the sleep/wake cycle

Fight or Flight Response

One's reponse when they are threatened to fight or fun (possible third action to freeze)

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Measures the small changes in blood flow that occur with brain activity

Functional Recovery

the transfer of functions from a damaged area of the brain after trauma to other undamaged areas

Glands

Organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many of our bodily functions; release chemical messengers (hormones) into the blood

Hemispheric Lateralisation

The idea that the two halves of the brain are functionally different and certain mental controlled by one hemisphere than the other

Hormones

Chemical messengers that travels to targeted tissues to cause a rection in the body

Hypothalamus

Area of the body that produces hormones that control: body temperature, heart rate, hunger, mood

Infradian Rhythm

A biological rhythm that lasts longer than 24 hours (e.g. the menstrual cycle)

Inhibition

Conscious or unconscious constraint or curtailment of a process of behaviour, especially of impulses or desires

Localisation of Function

Idea that certain functions (memory) hav certain locations or areas within the brain

Motor Area

Region in the cerebal cortex involved in the planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements

Motor Neuron

Cells through the CNS that allow us o move, speek, swallow and breathe by sending commands from brain to muscles

Myelin Sheath

Protective covering around nerve cells in your CNS

Nervous system

Network of nerve cells that transmit messages between different parts of the body for communication

Neuron

Type of cells that receive and send messages from the body to the brain and back

Neurotransmitters

Endogenous chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other throughout the body

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PsNS)

Network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger

Peripheral Nervous System (PeNS

Sends messages through neurons through the CNS

Plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt in reaction to the environment and through experience

Pituitary Gland

The major gland in the base of the brain which releases several hormones to the endocrine system

Post-mortem examination

Research done on the physical of one's brain due to brain damae evident through particular behaviour

Postsynaptic Receptor Sites

The space of postsynaptic membranes that house the molecules considered to be receptors

Recruitment of Homologous Areas

When an area has been damaged the opposite side of the brain may take on the abilities

Relay Neuron

Between sensory input and motor output/ response to cause a body physical reaction

Sensory Neuron

Found in receptors (eyes) carrying nerve impulses to the spinal cord and brain

Somatic Nervous System (SoNS)

A component of the PeNS associated with voluntary control of the body movements

Somatosensory Area

Part of the brain within the cerebal cortex that receives all sensory information from various parts of the body

Spatial Resolution

The smallest feautre (or measurment) that a scanner can detect

Split Brain Research

Research and insigh earned from stdy patients with cut corpus callosum, to treat severe epilepsy

Summation

Process that determines whether or not an action potential will be generated by combined effects of excitatory and inhibitory signals

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Suprachiasatic Nucleus (SCN)

Bilateral structure located in the anterior part of the hypothalamus

Sympathetic Nervous System (SyNS)

Causing fight or flight when present to a threat to live

Synaptic Transmission

The process by which one neuron communicates with another

Temporal Resoltuion

The accuracy of the scanner in relation of time

Ultradian Rhythm

Biological rhythms that occur over a period shorter than 24 hours

Visual Area

Receives and processes visual information

Werniche's Area

Region of the brain that contains motor neurons involved in the comprehension of speech