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AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 > BASICS OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY > Flashcards

BASICS OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY Flashcards

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1
Q

Name 3 key assumptions of biological psychology

A

All that is psychological is first biological
All thoughts feelings and behaviours have a biological base
Genes have evolved over millions of years
Much of human behaviour has a genetic base
Bodily levels of chemical agents influence behaviour
Behaviour is influenced when biological bodily structures are damaged

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2
Q

What types of study are typically used in biological psychology?

A

Laboratory experiments
Case studies
Twin and Adoption studies

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3
Q

Define Central nervous system (CNS)

A

The brain and spinal cord

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4
Q

Define synapse

A

the junction between neurons

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5
Q

Define receptor

A

A site of a dendrite that is designed to bond to a specific type of neurotransmitter molecule

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6
Q

Define neurotransmitter

A

a chemical which allows neurons to communicate with one another

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7
Q

Define action potential

A

the electric triggers that pass along the axon and stimulate the neuron to release neurotransmitters

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8
Q

What 3 biological processes influence and cause behaviours and characteristics in biological psychology

A

Hormones
Genetic inheritance
Brain structure

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9
Q

Define neuron

A

A nerve cell that are specialised to transmit information throughout the body

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10
Q

Outline the structure of a neuron

A 
Dendrite (tips at head)
Nucleus (located in head)
Myelin sheath (covering on the axon)
Node of Ranvier (gap between myeline sheaths)
Axon (tail of the neuron)
Axon terminal (end of the nerve cell)
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11
Q

Outline the steps in which neurons transmit messages

A
  1. Receptors in the dendrites absorb neurotransmitters
  2. Electrochemical impulses (action potentials) travel along the axon in one direction only
  3. This triggers a release of a neaurotransmitter at the axon terminal into the synaptic gap
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12
Q

Define action potential

A

An electrical impulse triggered by a change in the elctrical potential of the neuron and stimulates the realease of neurotransmitters

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13
Q

Outline how an action potential works

A
  1. Neurons have a resting potential that is slightly negatively charged
  2. A neuron is received and one of two things happens;
    a) Excitatory postsynaptic potential
    b) Inhibitory postsynaptic potential
  3. Enough excitatory signals trigger an action potential
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14
Q

What is an Excitatory postsynaptic potential

A

The neuron is depolarised and the negative charge decreases

They come quickly causing a fight response

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15
Q

What is an Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

A

The neuron is hyperpolerised and the negative charge increases

They come more slowly and cause a flight response

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16
Q

What is the All or None Principle?

A

If the depolarisation is not great enough to reach threshold

Then action potential and hence an impulse are not produced

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17
Q

Outline synaptic transmission

A
  1. Action potential travels along presynaptic neuron
  2. Presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap
  3. Neurotransmitters fit into receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
  4. Only if the receptor fits
  5. Repeating the cycle
  6. Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed
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18
Q

Outline how we catch a ball (CNS)

A
  1. Nerves in our body send information via the spinal cord to the brain
  2. The brain processes this information and sends a message to the body via the spinal cord
  3. eg. our eyes send a message about the oncoming ball to the brain
  4. The brain processes how far the ball is and sends a message to the body telling us to catch the ball
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19
Q

Define dendrite

A

A short branched extension of a nerve cell which absorbs neurotransmitters

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20
Q

Define myelin sheath

A

Insulates the cell in order to contain the electrical impulses (action potential)

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21
Q

Outline the reuptake process

A

The axon terminal reabsorbs (via transport proteins) some of the neurotransmitters it has released once the message has been received at the postsynaptic neuron

This regulates the information we recieve

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22
Q

Outline GABA

A

Relieves anxiety depression and fear, giving a calming effect

By inhibiting messages

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23
Q

Outline Norepinephrine

A

Stress hormone that triggers flight or fight response

Treats ADHD and is also involved in dreaming

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24
Q

Outline Acetylcholine

A

Memory and learning neurotransmitter
Important for motor control and emotions such as anger and sexuality

Low levels may link to Alzheimers

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25
Q

Outline Dopamine

A

Pleasure neurotransmitter linking to addiction

Links to schizophrenia

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26
Q

Outline Glutamate

A

Responsible for cognitive functioning

High levels can link to seizures

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27
Q

Outline Serotonin

A

Happiness hormone that regulates mood, sexual and food appetite, sleep, pain and temperature

Low levels link to depression and anxiety

28
Q

Define a drug

A

Hijacks the natural neurotransmitter pathways and has effects on the central nervous system

29
Q

Outline the effects of alcohol on the brain

A

interferes with communication pathways changing mood, behaviour, and co-ordination

Increases GABA reaction inhibiting glutamate

30
Q

Outline the effects of heroin on the brain

A

Binds to receptors stimulating dopamine release giving a “rush” feeling of pleasure followed by drowsiness as the drug leaves the system

31
Q

Outline the effects of amphetamines on the brain

A

Increases dopamine noradrenaline and serotonin levels giving an alert and energised feeling often leading to more sociable behaviour

32
Q

Define mode of action

A

The way a drug works at the synapse and in the brain

33
Q

What is the dopamine pathway?

A

The reqard pathway (pleasure centre) such as the lymbic system

Senstive to dopamine GABA and glutamate

34
Q

How do recreational drugs have a genetic link?

A

It is adaptive for us to feel good after eating high calorie food as it ensures we store enough fat on our bodies in preparation for famine

It stimulates the release of dopamine GABA and glutamate to our dopamine pathways

35
Q

How do most recreational drugs effect the brain

A

They work on the dopamine system
Producing a strong pleasurable effect ‘high’
With no evolutionary advantage
And causing a ‘low’ when dopamine levels drop again

36
Q

Define tolerance

A

The need to take more of a drug to gain pleasure due to repeated use

37
Q

Define euphoria

A

The ‘high’ strong pleasurable feeling felt when taking a recreational drug

38
Q

Define dysphoria

A

The ‘come down’ feeling of the brain regulating dopamine levels again after drug use

39
Q

Define addiction

A

The compulsive uncontrolled habit of taking drugs

40
Q

Define withdrawl

A

The symptoms of no longer having a drug active in the nervous system after addiction

41
Q

Outline 3 symptoms of drug withdrawl

A 
Anxiety or jumpiness
Shaking or trembling
Sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Insomnia and fatigue
Depression or irritability
Loss of appetite
Headaches
42
Q

Outline Olds and Milner’s research into drugs (1954)

A

Identified there were probably pleasure centres in the brain that are part of our motivation system
Rats pressed a lever to receive a reward of electric to this part of the brain
The rats would cross a painful grid to reach the lever
The rats preferred the lever to food, drink and sex

43
Q

Outline the effects of cocaine on the brain

A

Blocks the reuptake of dopamine which over stimulates post-synaptic receptors

This causes excessive movement and fidgeting but also creates enjoyment

44
Q

Outline the effects of nicotine on the brain

A

Binds to an acetylcholine receptor triggering excessive dopamine release

Excessive use of nicotine particularly leads to desensitisation due to the change in shape of cells

45
Q

Outline Gorka et al. (2013) research into alcohol

A

`MRI scans to study activity in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala

Alcohol interferes with the ability to pass information between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex.

Alcohol activates the dopamine system

46
Q

Outline 3 strengths of the effects of drugs on transmission

A

Lots of supporting evidence:
eg Olds & Milner (1954) Straiker et al (2012) Gorka et al (2013)

Straiker et al is reliable research with careful controls

Credible as dopamine does link to pleasure and recreational drugs invoke pleasure

Reliable as observations of addicts back up the desensitisation and tolerance theory

Observing addicts give mundane realism to the research making the results more valid

47
Q

Outline 3 weaknesses of the effects of drugs on transmission

A

Supporting evidence was performed on rats and mice which doesn’t generalise to humans

Current tools cannot measure transmission

Scanning receptor activity on humans isn’t straight forward and potentially unethical

Reductionist as it does not discus how there is more than one reward pathway and generalises to all drugs

48
Q

Define the peripheral nervous system

A

The nerve cells outside of the brain and spinal cord linking the CNS to the limbs and organs of the body

49
Q

What are the 4 lobes of the brain

A

Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe

50
Q

Define hippocampus

A

Located in temporal lobe

Responsible for memory and connects emotions senses to memories (limbic system)

51
Q

Define cerebellum

A

Controls muscle movement balance and co-ordination

52
Q

Define Striatum

A

Receives input from the cerebral cortex
Controls movement, fine motor functions
Inhibits behaviour depending on social situations

53
Q

Define hemispheres

A

Two halves of the brain
Right controls the left side of the body
Left controls the right side of the body

54
Q

Define amygdala

A

Located in temporal lobe

Responsible for memory, decision making, and emotional reactions

55
Q

Define parietal lobe

A

Responsible for perception, spatial awareness, manipulating objects and spelling

56
Q

Define frontal lobe

A

Responsible for planning and organising

Personality and control of emotions and behaviour

57
Q

Define occipital lobe

A

Responsible for sight

58
Q

Define temporal lobe

A

Holds the bulk of our memories

Controls our ability to understand things and speak

59
Q

Define cerebral cortex

A

Outer layer of neural tissue covering brain

Responsible in memory attention perception awareness thought language and consciousness

60
Q

Define corpus callosum

A

Bundle of neural fibres between left and right hemispheres

Connects and passes information between the hemispheres

61
Q

Define ventricles

A

Contain cerebrospinal fluid

62
Q

Define thalamus

A

Passes sensory information to the cerebral cortex

63
Q

Define hympothalamus

A

Controls pituitary gland
To regulate temperature, blood pressure, appetite, wakefulness and sexual arousal
Involved in some aspects of memory

64
Q

Define pituitary gland

A

Responsible for producing hormones

eg puberty hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone and stress hormones (eg cortisol)

65
Q

Define brain stem

A

Controls breathing heart rate consciousness blood circulation basic motor responses
Relays sensory information and regulates the sleep wake cycle

AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 (4 decks)

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