Definitions and Concepts for AQA Psychology A-level
Topic 6: Biopsychology
Definitions in bold are for A2 only
Adrenaline: A hormone involved in a number of responses, namely the flight or fight response.
Autonomic nervous system: The nervous system responsible for automatic responses, such
as sympathetic or parasympathetic responses.
Broca’s area: An area in the left hemisphere that is dedicated to speech production i.e.
the motor component.
Central nervous system: The nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Circadian rhythms: (Circa = approximately, dian = a day) Biological processes which
cycle in about 24 hours. For example, the sleep-wake cycle.
EEG: Electroencephalogram (electro = electrical activity, encephalo = brain, gram =
measuring). An imaging technique to record electrical activity in the brain.
Endogenous pacemakers: Internal “clocks” that regulate biological rhythms, e.g. the
suprachiasmatic nucleus.
ERP: Event-related potential - an imaging technique similar to an EEC, except baseline
activity is filtered, so electrical activity in response to a stimulus can be recorded.
Excitation: A signal sent to the next nerve making it more likely to fire.
Exogenous zeitgebers: External cues that influence biological rhythms. For example,
daylight influences the sleep-wake cycle.
Fight-or-flight response: The sympathetic responses that increase activity to areas designed
to help you escape or prepare for a fight e.g. increased blood flow to muscles, reduced blood
flow to the gut.
fMRI: Functional magnetic resonance imaging - an imaging technique that monitors
blood flow in the brain. It allows insight into which areas of the brain are used for
particular activities.
Glands: An organ that synthesises and releases substances (e.g. hormones) for specific
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purposes.
Hormones: Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to regulate certain
processes in the body.
Infradian rhythms: (Infra = below, dian = a day) Biological rhythms that occur less often
than once a day, meaning, they cycle in periods a lot longer than 24 hours. For example,
the menstrual cycle.
Inhibition: A signal sent to the next nerve making it less likely to fire.
Lateralisation (hemispheric) of function: The concept that different hemispheres in the
brain have differing functions. For example, the language functions are typically
lateralised to the left hemisphere of the brain.
Localisation of function: The concept of functions in the brain being specific to certain
areas. For example, Broca’s area is specific to language production.
Motor neurones: A type of neuron that activates an effector organ (muscles, glands, organs).
Peripheral nervous system: The nervous system that exists outside the central nervous
system, in the periphery; your arms, legs etc.
Plasticity: Specifically brain plasticity; the ability of the brain to adapt to situations, and
change its structure - even to potentially regain previously lost function.
Relay neurons: A neuron found in the CNS which allows communication between sensory and
motor neurons.
Sensory neurons: A neuron that transmits sensory information from the environment to an
interneuron after converting it to electrical activity.
Somatic nervous system: The nervous system in control of conscious, voluntary movements
of the periphery.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus: Two small, paired nuclei in the brain that are responsible for
controlling many circadian rhythms in the human body. For example, they regulates the
sleep-wake cycle.
Ultradian rhythms: (Ultra = above, dian = a day) Biological rhythms that occur more often
than 24 hours, meaning they cycle in periods shorter than 24 hours. For example the
sleep cycle, occurring every 90 minutes.
Wernicke’s area: An area in the left hemisphere that is dedicated to speech
comprehension.
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