Definition of CNS
Part of nervous system comprising of brain and spinal cord
Definition of PNS
Part of nervous system excluding brain and spinal cord
Definition of synaptic transmission
Process by which nerve impulses (electrical signals carried by neurotransmitters) are carried across a synapse between one neuron and another
Definition of excitatory potentials
Increase the chance of neuron firing
Definition of inhibitory potentials
Decrease chance of neuron firing
Definition of hypothalamus
Part of brain which is located in centre of brain and deals with basic survival functions
Definition of adrenal gland
Gland in adrenal system that releases adrenaline
Definition of adrenal medulla
Central part of adrenal gland
Definition of localisation
Part of brain in which a function is carried out
Definition of contralateral
When right hemisphere deals with left hand side of body and vice versa
Definition of hemispheric lateralisation
When one hemisphere carries out a particular function
Definition of fMRI
Technique of brain scanning that uses magnetic field and radio signals to monitor blood flow in brain
Definition of EEG
Method of measuring brain activity using electrodes on scalp
Definition of ERPs
Method of measuring brain activity in response to a stimulus
Definition of circadian rhythms
Biological rhythms that occur every 24 hours
Definition of exogenous zeitgebers
External stimuli (light, temp, social cues) which influence biological rhythms
Definition of endogenous pacemakers
Internal body clocks that regulate bio rhythms
Definition of infradian rhythms
Biological rhythms that occur less than once a day
Definition of ultradian rhythms
Biological rhythms that occur more than once a day
Last changeda year ago