[Approaches] Topic 5 - The Biological approach

Question 1

The influence of genes and biological structures on behaviour

Answer 1

• Genes are inherited from one generation to the next and carry instructions for a particular characteristics.

Twins MZ: Identical, DZ non identical

• Genotype - Genetic code in the DNA
• Phenotype is that physical appearance that results from the inherited information
• Biological structures play an important role in behaviour. The nervous system carries messages from one part of the body to another using neurons.

Question 2

Influence of Neurochemistry and hormones

Answer 2

• Neurotransmitters are electrochemical impulses that transmit messages from one neuron to the next by travelling across the synapse.
• Excitatory- Trigger an impulse e.g Dopamine
• Inhibitory - Stops from firing Serotonin
• Hormones are chemicals produce by endocrine glands such as pituitary gland are secreted directly into the blood stream.

Question 3

ANS and CNS

Answer 3

• Autonomic Nervous system: Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate
• Somatic nervous system Controls muscle movement

Question 4

FLIGHT OF FIGHT

Answer 4

1. Hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS.
2. The ANS changes from PARA to sympathetic Nervous System
3. Stress Hormone Adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the blood stream
4. Adrenaline triggers psychological arosual necessary for the flight or flight e.g heart rate increasing
5. Parasympathetic returns everything back (antagonistic) to normal.

Question 5

Types of Neurons

Answer 5

• Motor Neuron - Connect the CNS to effector such as muscles and glands, short dentries and large axons
• Relay Neurons- Connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. Have short dendrites and short axons
• Sensory Neurons: Carry messages from the PNs to the CNS have long dendrites and short axons

Question 6

What each Neuron part does

Answer 6

• Axon - Carries impulses away
• Dendrites - Carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards cell body
• Myelin sheath protects the axon
• Nodes of Ranvier - Speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to jump.

Question 7

What is Action potentional

Answer 7

Neuron is negatively change when neuron is activated by stimulus the inside of the cell becomes +ve charged for a split second creating an eletrical impulse