biopsychology

ACTH

hormone made by pituitary gland makes adrenal glands make adrenaline

Adrenal glands

on top of kidney makes adrenaline and cortisol

adrenaline

key hormone in stress response increases heart and breathing rate etc

autonomic nervous system

Sub-division of peripheral nervous system controls involuntary responses like breathing and heart rate

axon

single long fibre that carries the nerve impulse away from the cell body

axon terminal

end of the axon containing neurotransmitters and makes synaptic contact with next neuron in chain

central nervous system

Sub-system of nervous system with brain and spinal cord

dendrites

Root like structures protruding from cell body receive signals from other neurons

endocrine system

group of organs secreting hormones into blood stream

evolution

slow changes in inherited feature of a species over many generations

excitation

when link between neurotransmitter and receptor site in synapse makes receptor site’s cell more likely to act

genotype

person's unique genetic make-up coded in chromosomes, fixed at conception

hypothalamus

Part of brain linking nervous system to endocrine system, releasing hormones stimulating pituitary gland

motor neuron

Carries signals from central nervous system to organs and muscles

relay neuron

Carries signals between sensory and motor neurons or connect to other relay neurons within central nervous system

sensory neuron

Carries signals from senses to central nervous system

myelin sheath

A fatty layer protecting exon, speeds up electrical transmission of nerve impulse

nervous system

made of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, provides rapid responses to stimuli

neuron

Cells within nervous system processing and transmitting messages

neurotransmitter

Chemicals transferring signals from one neuron to next, across synapses between them

parasympathetic nervous system

Sub-division of autonomic nervous system, controls 'rest and digest' response

peripheral nervous system

Sub-system of nervous system, transmits messages from body to central nervous system and back

phenotype

expression of person's genetic make-up, environment can influence it

sympathetic nervous system

Sub-division of autonomic nervous system, controls 'fight or flight' response

somatic nervous system

Sub-division of peripheral nervous system, controls muscle movement and receives info from sensory receptors

synapse

small gap between neurons