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Biological Approach
Key vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Neurone | Nerve cell that sends communication using neurotransmitters |
| Dendrites | Branch-like structures of a neurone that receive signals from other neurons |
| Axon | Long shaft of a neurone down which the electric impulse travels |
| Synapse | Space between two connecting neurons |
| Vesicles | Spherical sacs containing neurotransmitters. |
| Glia (Glial) Cells | ’support cells’ in the nervous system some of which produce the myelin |
| Neutrotransmitters | Chemical messengers specialised for communication and released at the synapse. |
| Myelin Sheath | Glial cell-wrappers around axons that act as insulators of the neuron's signal. |
| Receptors | Locations that uniquely recognize a neurotransmitter. |
| Central Nervous System | Part of the nervous system containing the brain and spinal cord. |
| Corpus Collosum | Large band of fibres connecting the two cerebral hemispheres. |
| Reflex | An automatic motor response to a sensory stimulus like muscle stretch. |
| Limbic System | Emotional centre of the brain that also plays roles in smell, motivation, and memory. |
| Hypothalamus | Part of the brain responsible regulating body temperature for example. |
| Amygdala | Part of the limbic system that plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal. |
| Hippocampus | Part of the brain that plays a role in short term memory. |
| Hormones | chemicals that travel through the blood and affect behaviour. |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | Technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure. |
| Positron Emission Tomography (PET) | Imaging technique that measures uptake of glucose-like molecules to show a moving image of brain activity. |
| Lateralization | Cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain that the other. |
| Chromosomes | Slender threads inside a cell's nucleus that carry genes. |
| Genes | Genetic material, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). |
| Genotype | Our genetic makeup. |
| Phenotype | The result of our genes interacting with our environment; our observable traits. |