Biopsychology

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and the spinal cord; responsible for processing information and coordinating bodily functions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All nerves outside of the CNS; transmits messages between the CNS and the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Part of the PNS; controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Part of the PNS; regulates involuntary functions of internal organs and glands.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Branch of the ANS; responsible for the "fight or flight" response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Branch of the ANS; responsible for "rest and digest" functions.

Homeostasis

A state of internal balance in the body.

Neuron

A nerve cell that transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.

Sensory Neuron

Carries signals from sensory receptors to the CNS.

Relay Neuron

Connects sensory and motor neurons.

Motor Neuron

Carries signals from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands).

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Fight-or-flight response

A physiological reaction to a perceived threat, characterised by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and hormonal changes.

Hypothalamus

A brain region responsible for regulating various bodily functions, including the stress response.

Hippocampus

A brain structure involved in memory formation and retrieval.

Amygdala

A brain area that processes emotions, particularly fear and anxiety.

HPA axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a hormonal pathway involved in stress response.

SAM pathway

The sympatho-adrenal-medullary pathway, a neural pathway responsible for rapid physiological changes during stress.

Adrenal medulla

The inner part of the adrenal gland that releases adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Adrenal cortex

The outer part of the adrenal gland that releases corticosteroids.

Adrenaline

Hormones that increase heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness, preparing the body for action.

Corticosteroids

Hormones that regulate energy metabolism and suppress the immune system during stress.

Localisation of function

The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for specific functions.

Hemispheric lateralisation

The idea that some functions are primarily controlled by one hemisphere of the brain.

Contralateral control

The concept that the left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa.

Corpus callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing them to communicate.

Motor cortex

Located in the frontal lobe, it controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex

Located in the parietal lobe, it processes sensory information from the body, particularly touch.

Visual cortex

Located in the occipital lobe, it processes visual information.

Auditory cortex

Located in the temporal lobe, it processes auditory information.

Broca’s area

An area in the left frontal lobe associated with speech production.

Wernicke’s area

An area in the left temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension.

Equipotentiality

The theory that the brain has the capacity to perform functions in any area, especially in the case of damage.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt functionally and physically as a result of experience and learning.

Synaptic pruning

The process of eliminating weak or unused synaptic connections, improving the efficiency of neural networks.

Functional recovery

The brain's ability to regain lost functions after trauma through mechanisms like axon sprouting and neural reorganisation.

Split brain research

Studies conducted on patients who have had their corpus callosum severed, providing insights into hemispheric lateralisation.

Alien hand syndrome

A rare neurological disorder where an individual experiences a loss of control over one hand, often acting independently of their conscious will.