Approaches: Neurochemistry

Question 1

Endocrine System

Answer 1

Series of glands which release chemicals (hormones) throughout the body.
Pituitary Gland = Master gland
Adrenal = Adrenalin
Testes/Ovaries = Sex hormone
Pancreas = Blood sugar levels

Question 2

Fight or Flight process

Answer 2

1) Hypothalamus = recognizes there is a threat
2) Adrenal Gland = Specifically adrenal medulla
3) Adrenaline = To the endocrine system and nor-adrenaline
4) Prompts physical changes

Question 3

Increased heart rate

Answer 3

Speeds up blood flow to vital organs and spreads adrenaline around the body.

Question 4

Faster breathing

Answer 4

Increase oxygen intake

Question 5

Pupil dilation

Answer 5

Better eyesight

Question 6

Muscle tension

Answer 6

Prepares body for action

Question 7

Sweat production

Answer 7

Facilitates temperature regulation

Question 8

Reduction of digestive and immune system

Answer 8

Saves energy to prioritize functions such as running

Question 9

Functions of Neurons

Answer 9

Are to receive and transmit messages to other cells

Question 10

Sensory neurons

Answer 10

Uni-polar; These neurons tell the rest of the brain about the external and internal environment which is taken from the 5 senses

Question 11

Relay neurons

Answer 11

Multi-polar; Carry messages from one part of the cells to another. Connect motor and sensory neurons

Question 12

Motor neurons

Answer 12

Multi-polar; Carry signals from the CNS which helps both organs and muscles function.

Question 13

Behavior geneticists

Answer 13

Study whether behavioral characteristics are inherited the same way as physical characteristics

Question 14

Twin studies

Answer 14

Determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing the concordance rates between pairs of twins

Question 15

Mono-zygotic

Answer 15

Identical
High concordance rates
100% share of genes

Question 16

Di-zygotic

Answer 16

Non-identical
Low concordance rates
50% share of genes

Question 17

Genotype

Answer 17

Genetic make-up

Influenced by environmental factors

Question 18

Phenotype

Answer 18

The way genes are expressed through physical, behavioral and psychological characteristics

Question 19

Localisation of functions

Answer 19

Cortical specialization

Certain parts of the brain are specialized

Question 20

Hemisphere

Answer 20

Brain is contralateral
Left hemisphere is language processing
Right hemisphere is recognizing, spatial relationships and overall patterns

Question 21

Motor cortex

Answer 21

Sends messages to the muscles via the brain and spinal cord, important for complex movement
Located frontal lobe

Question 22

Visual cortex

Answer 22

Receives and processes visual information, contains different parts that process different types of information
Located occipital lobe

Question 23

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 23

Receives incoming sensory information from skin to produce sensations
Different parts receive messages from different parts of the body
Located parietal lobe

Question 24

Auditory cortex

Answer 24

Responsible for analyzing and processing acoustic information
Processing simple features of sound
Located Left frontal lobe

Question 25

Weirnickes area

Answer 25

Speech

Located left frontal lobe

Question 26

Broca’s area

Answer 26

Understand language

Located left frontal lobe

Question 27

Evaluate (strengths)

Answer 27

Can provide evidence to support or disprove a theory (scientific)
Finding biological cause for mental health problems
Biological treatments can be developed

Question 28

Evaluate (weakness)

Answer 28

Doesn’t take into account family, environment, social situation or childhood experiences to explain behavior
Biological explanation for negative behavior taking personal or social responsibility for behavior `