2007PSY Biopsychology

Question 1

What is physiological Psychology?

Answer 1

Invasive and direct manipulation of the nervous system.

- animals as subjects, pure research

Question 2

What is Psychopharmacology?

Answer 2

The effect of drugs on the nervous system and on behaviour.

-use of animal models to test drugs, eventually marketed for use in patients (e.g. Prozac)

Question 3

What is Neuropsychology?

Answer 3

Study of behavioural deficits produced in humans by brain damage

Question 4

What is Psychophysiology?

Answer 4

Study of the relationship between physiology responses of human subjects
-usual recording device is the EEG

Question 5

What is comparative Psychology?

Answer 5

Study of evolutionary and genetic factors in behaviour (phylogeny and ontogeny)
-laboratory work, rather than field work (ethology)

Question 6

What did descartes propose?

Answer 6

Behaviour is reflexive -the mind is not involved.
- not only are functions such as digestion and breathing reflexive, but so are a number of mental functions, including sensory impressions, emotions and memory.

Question 7

Which experiment taught us that nerves send messages by releasing neurotransmitters?

Answer 7

Leowi’s experiment using frog hearts. By electrically stimulating the vagus nerve, the heart slowed down and secreted neurotransmitters. When applied to the second heart, it also slowed down.

Question 8

What is Acetylcholine?

Answer 8

The primary neurotransmitter. All muscle movement is accompanied by the release of it. Involved in regulating REM sleep, perceptual learning and memory.

Question 9

What are the two types of Monoamines?

Answer 9

Catecholamines (more fast acting) and indolamines (more slow acting)

Question 10

What are the main 3 types of Catecholamines?

Answer 10

Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine

Question 11

What is the main type of indolamine?

Answer 11

Serotonin

Question 12

What does dopamine (DA) do?

Answer 12

Produces both excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials.

• Implicated roles in movement, attention, learning and reinforcing effects of abused drugs
• Synthesized from tyrosine obtained from our diet

Question 13

What does noradremanile (NA) or norepinephrine (NE) do?

Answer 13

Plays a central role in attentiveness or vigilance to events in the environment.
- Found in the brain and sympathetic part of the ANS

Question 14

What is Epinephrine and where does it come from?

Answer 14

Also known as adrenaline, secreted from the adrenal medulla and serves as a neurotransmitter in the brain.

Question 15

What does Serotonin (5-HT) do?

Answer 15

Plays a role in regulation of mood, the control of eating, sleep, dreaming and arousal.
- Also thought to be involved in regulation of pain.

Question 16

What is tryptophan?

Answer 16

An amino acid and precursor of serotonin.

Question 17

What are the most common amino acid transmitters?

Answer 17

Glutamate, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Glycine

Question 18

What is glutamate also known as and what does it do?

Answer 18

Also called glutamic acid. It is the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Involved in most aspects of functioning ( i.e. cognition, memory and learning).

Question 19

What is GABA?

Answer 19

The most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord.

Question 20

What is glycine?

Answer 20

Appears to be the most important inhibitory transmitter in the lower brain stem and spinal cord.

Question 21

What are peptides?

Answer 21

Released by neurons of the CNS.

• A neuron manufactures both the polypeptides and the enzymes that it needs to break them apart.
• Some act as neurotransmitters, most serve as neuromodulators.

Question 22

What are the two important types of peptides?

Answer 22

Endorphins (endogenous opioid) and Enkephalin (a type of endorphin)

Question 23

What is an endorphin?

Answer 23

A class of peptide secreted in the brain that act as opiates: effects opioid receptors to reduce pain

Question 24

What is Nitric oxide (NO)?

Answer 24

A gas produced by cells in the nervous system; used as a means of communication between cells.