Biopsychology Key Term Glossary
ACTH
Hormone released by the pituitary gland. Stimulates the adrenal glands to
release adrenaline into the bloodstream
Action Potential
A spike in electric charge in an axon caused by sodium ions crossing the cell
membrane
Adrenal Glands
Small glands, on top of each kidney, that produce hormones such as adrenaline
and cortisol
Adrenaline
Key Hormone in the stress response that is produced by the adrenal glands and
causes increased heart rate, increased breathing rate e.c.t
Autonomic Nervous System
Sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary
responses like breathing and heart rate
Axon
A single long slender fibre that carries the nerve impulse away from the body
Axon Terminal
The very end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters and makes synaptic
contact with the next neurone in the chain
Behaviourism
The theory that human and animal behaviour can be explained in terms of
conditioning, without considering thoughts or feelings
Central nervous system
Sub-system of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
Chromosome
Hold the genetic material that is passed between parents and offspring.
Humans have 23 pairs
, Classical conditioning
Learning through association when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together
Cognitive neuroscience
An academic field that studies the influence of brain structures on mental
processes using techniques such as brain scans
Computer models
Software simulations of internal mental processes that are created in
collaboration with computer scientists.
Concordance rate
The extent to which both twins share the same characteristic
Dendrites
Root like structures protruding from the cell body that receive signals from
other neurones
DZ twins
Non-identical twins who share 50% of their genes
Empirical
Based on scientific testing or personal experience rather than theory or logic
Endocrine system
A collection of organs that secrete hormones into the blood stream
Evolution
Gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many
generations
Excitation
Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse
makes the receptor site’s cell more likely to act
Fight or flight response
The way an animal (including humans) responds to stress as it becomes
physiologically aroused to fight an aggressor or to run away
ACTH
Hormone released by the pituitary gland. Stimulates the adrenal glands to
release adrenaline into the bloodstream
Action Potential
A spike in electric charge in an axon caused by sodium ions crossing the cell
membrane
Adrenal Glands
Small glands, on top of each kidney, that produce hormones such as adrenaline
and cortisol
Adrenaline
Key Hormone in the stress response that is produced by the adrenal glands and
causes increased heart rate, increased breathing rate e.c.t
Autonomic Nervous System
Sub-division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary
responses like breathing and heart rate
Axon
A single long slender fibre that carries the nerve impulse away from the body
Axon Terminal
The very end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters and makes synaptic
contact with the next neurone in the chain
Behaviourism
The theory that human and animal behaviour can be explained in terms of
conditioning, without considering thoughts or feelings
Central nervous system
Sub-system of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
Chromosome
Hold the genetic material that is passed between parents and offspring.
Humans have 23 pairs
, Classical conditioning
Learning through association when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together
Cognitive neuroscience
An academic field that studies the influence of brain structures on mental
processes using techniques such as brain scans
Computer models
Software simulations of internal mental processes that are created in
collaboration with computer scientists.
Concordance rate
The extent to which both twins share the same characteristic
Dendrites
Root like structures protruding from the cell body that receive signals from
other neurones
DZ twins
Non-identical twins who share 50% of their genes
Empirical
Based on scientific testing or personal experience rather than theory or logic
Endocrine system
A collection of organs that secrete hormones into the blood stream
Evolution
Gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many
generations
Excitation
Occurs when a link between a neurotransmitter and receptor site in a synapse
makes the receptor site’s cell more likely to act
Fight or flight response
The way an animal (including humans) responds to stress as it becomes
physiologically aroused to fight an aggressor or to run away
