biopsych

• what is the SCN?

  the main system that controls circadian rhythms
• what is a exogenous zeitgebers?

  cues in the external environment that inform EP's to regulate biological rhythms
• what is an endogenous pacemaker


  things within the body that regulate biological rhythms
• describe the circadian rhythm

  24 hours long and controls the sleep and wake cycle
• describe the infradian rhythm

  lasts more than 24 hours and controls the female menstural cycle
• describe the ultradian rhythm

  lasts less than 24 hours and controls the stages of sleep
• how does a post mortem determine causes of behaviour

  the physical analysis is cross referenced with the persons behaviour in life and the examiner can learn more about the causes of behaviour and psychological disorders.
• what is a post moretem

  a physical examination of the brain after a person has died
• what is an ERP?


  uses the same equipment as an EGG but use statistical techniques to measure changes in brain activity in response to a stimulus
• what is an EGG

  electrodes are attached to the scalp and they detect electrical activity in the brain cells beneath them. the more electrodes used, the more complete the picture that can be produced
• what is an fMRI

  a form of brain imaging that uses magnetic fields to measure blood flow and oxygenation in the brain. when an area is highly active it needs more oxygen and blood flow. enables researchers to identify which areas of the brain are active during certian tasks.
• what are the ways of studying the brain

  fMRI, ERPs, EGGs, post-mortem
• what does neuroplasticity enable


  enables people to recover function after trauma
• what is neuroplastcity


  the ability of the brain to change its physical structure to perform different functions
• describe wernike's area


  responsible for language comprehension. located in the temporal lobe. damage to the area causes Wernicke's aphasia
• describe brocas area


  the main area where speech is produced. it is located in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere. damage to the brocas area causes brocas aphasia.
• describe the auditory cortex


  responsible for the processing of sound. located in the temporal lobes of each hemisphere.
• describe the visual cortex

  responsible for processing visual information from the eyes. located in the occipital lobes of each hemisphere. the cortex is contralateral. the right hemisphere processes data from the left of a person's field of vision.
• describe the motor cortex


  responsible for voluntary movement, such as walking. it is located in the frontal lobes of each hemisphere
• what is localisation of brain function

  identifying specific areas of the brain that correspond to specific functions
• describe split brain research

  the two hemispheres of the brain are connected by a bundle of nerve fibers (corpus callosum). in rare cases of epilepsy a surgeon can cut the corpus callosum. this reduces the severity of siezures. 
• what is the fight or flight response

  an activation of the sympathetic side of the autonomic nervous system to prepare the body for action.

  once the brain senses that the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system reduces these activities and returns the body to a resting state
• what does a relay neuron do


  connect neurons to other neurons and transmit info within the CNS
• what does a motor neuron do


  transmit info between the CNS and organs and muscles
• what does a sensory neuron do

  transmits information from the senses to the CNS
• what is an inhibitory neurotransmitter


  decrease the likelihood of the neuron firing
• what is a excitatory neurotransmitter

  increase the likelihood of the neuron firing
• what is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system

  decrease bodily activity to conserve energy
• what is the role of the sympathetic nervous system


  increase bodily activity to prepare for aciton
• what is the role of the autonomic nervous system


  responsible for transmitting information between the CNS and the internal organs. it is not under conscious control
• what is the role of the somatic nervous system


  responsible for voluntary movement. transmits information between the CNS and the senses
• what makes up the CNS

  brain, spinal cord, body
• what are the divisions of the nervous system

  CNS = brain and spinal cord

  PNS = somatic and autonomic = sympathetic and parasympathetic