3A Self: Biological Influences Flashcards
Define ‘neurons’ and describe what they do
- Neurons: individual nerve cells that receive, process and transmit information
- They convey messages to one another in the form of neutral impulses and electrochemical messages
Name the four basic parts of a single neuron and briefly define each part
- Nucleus: the control centre of the neuron
- Cell body: contains the nucleus
- Dendrites: receives messages from other neurons and transmits those messages towards the cell body for processing
- Axon: Fibres that carry messages away from the cell body, allowing information to be passed from neuron to neuron
What is the axon covered with and what is it’s purpose?
- Axon is covered with myelin sheath
- It acts to insulate and protect the axon, and speed up electrical signals
What is the synapse and what happens here?
- Synapse: the gap between one neuron’s axons and another neuron’s dendrites
- Chemicals are released at the synapse, and messages are carried across it to the dendrites of the receiver neuron
Define the role of a neurotransmitter
- Chemical substances which carry messages across the synapse to the dendrite of the receiver neuron
What is Seratonin, what is it’s function and what can an undersupply of it lead to?
- A neurotransmitter
- Affects mood, hunger, sleep and arousal - involved with the onset of sleep and moods
- Undersupply leads to depression, therefore people with depression are often prescribed with medication containing seratonin
What is dopamine, what is it’s function and what can an undersupply of it lead to?
- A neurotransmitter
- Influences movements, learning, attention and emotion - involved with complex bodily movements and regulating emotional responses (pleasure and excitement)
- Undersupply can result in tremors or increase chance of Parkinson’s disease, therefore is used in medication of people with Parkinson’s
Statistics Canda (1999) found that one in four who exercised regularly reported feeling…
- More energetic
- Less depressed
- Tired less often
… compared to those who didn’t exercise
Describe the study by McCann & Holmes (1984) and describe their findings
- Conducted a study with mildly depressed female students and placed them into three groups, being no treatment, relaxation and exercise
- After 10 weeks, their depression levels were re-evaluated
- Found that both treatment groups improved, but the exercise treatment group made greater gains
What did research by Salmon (2001) show in relation to effects of exercise?
- Showed that exercise is as effective as drugs in decreasing depression and anxiety and is better a symptoms reoccuring
What did Field & Colleagues (2001) find about students who exercised?
- They were less depressed
- Had better relationships with their parents
- Less drug use
- Better academic grades
According to Meyers (2004), what are the physiological effects of exercise?
- Strengthens the heart
- Increases blood flow
- Lowers blood pressure
- Increases the production of mood-boosting neurotransmitters (seratonin, norepinephrine, endorphins)
What did Meyers find as a positive effect of physical activity in relation to heart attacks?
- Decreases the chance of heart attacks by halving the risk
- Adds two years onto life expectancy
What is cannabis and describe it’s psychological and physiological effects.
- Cannabis: a mild hallucinogen drug which is mind-altering, changes perceptions and results in vivid images not related to sensory output
- Physiological effects: Increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, reduced concentration
- Psychological effects: reduces inhibition, Increased sensitivity to sounds, colours, tastes and smells, ‘trip’
What is alcohol and describe it’s psychological and physiological effects.
- Alcohol: depressant drug, most commonly used recreational drug in Aus. Leads to disinhibition and affects motor control
- Physiological effects: distorted vision, hearing and coordination, impaired judgement, affects motor control
- Psychological effects: relaxation, disinhibition, reduced feelings of self-consciousness
