definitions

• autonomic nervous system


  the system that operates involuntary, it can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
• central nervous system


  made up of the brain and spinal chord, where all complex commands and decisions are made
• nervous system


  consists of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
• peripheral nervous system 


  transmits information about voluntary activity, communicating between the CNS and rest of the body
• somantic nervous system


  transmits information from sense organ to the CNS
• flight or fight response

  the immediate physiological response of an animal when confronted with a threatening or stressful situation
• emotion


  a strong feeling or mood that has important motivational properties
• excitatory


  some neurotransmitters, such as adrenaline, generally increase the positive charge of the next neuron, making it more likely to fire
• inhibitory


  some neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, generally increase the negative charge of the next neuron, making it less likely to fire
• neurons


  cells that communicate messages through electrical and chemical signals throughout the nervous system
• neurotransmitter


  a chemical that is released from the synaptic vesicles
• synaptic transmission


  the process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with eachother
• cerebral cortex


  the very thin outer layer of brain tissue that gives the brain it’s pinky-grey appearance
• localisation


  refers to the theory that different brain areas are responsible for specific functions and behaviours
• cognitive neuroscience

  the scientific study of how biological structure influence or control mental processes
• neurological damage


  any event, such as illness or injury, which can result in neuron damage in the brain may lead to a loss of function or change in behaviour