Biological and Lifespan Psychology Flashcards
Name the four lobes of the brain
Frontal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Name the major region of the brain that contains the thalamus
Forebrain
Impact = Loss of vital activities over which we have no control such as heart rate and beathing. What area of the brain has been damaged?
Medulla
The Cerebellum has been damaged, what is the effect of this?
Issues with coordination, balance, and depth perception
What is the area responsible for bodily sensations such as temperature and touch?
Primary sensory cortex (located the cerebellum in the parietal lobe)
What area is responsible for the ability to speak?
Brocca’s area in the left frontal lobe
What is the prefrontal cortex responsible for
Emotion control, errors in higher cognitive functions, risk behavior
Describe the location, structure and function of the corpus callosum
Located in the longitudal fissure, it is
one of the largest white matter structures in the brain and is made up of over 200 million neuronal connections and is responsible for communication between the two hemispheres
The hemispheres of the brain have contralateral control over the body. Describe what this means and provide an example to support your answer.
Contralateral control means that each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body. This occurs because most of the neural pathways that carry sensory and motor signals cross over from one side of the brain to the opposite side of the body at the brainstem level.
For example, the right hemisphere of the brain controls movement and sensory perception for the left side of the body, while the left hemisphere controls the right side
Frida is exceptional at maths and is able to write very comprehensive reports. State the hemisphere pf the brain that is dominant in this scenario
The Left hemisphere
What are the subsections of the central nervous system
Brain
Spinal cord
What are the subsections of the Peripheral nervous system
autonomic nervous system
somatic nervous system
What are the subsections of the autonomic nervous system
parasympathetic system
sympathetic system
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system
to prepare the body to respond to danger increases blood flow, stops digestion, dilates pupils. Often referred to as fight or flight response
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system
Returns the body to normal functioning and homeostasis after danger has passed. Slows heart rate, begins digestion again. Often referred to as rest and digest response
Phineas Gage experienced a traumatic accident whilst working on the railway in 1848, when a metal rod was forced through his mouth and into his brain.
Explain why the accident was not fatal to Phineas
The tamping iron did not damage the brain stem and cerebellum, the parts of the brain responsible for autonomic survival functions (heartbeat, breathing etc.) but instead only damaged his frontal lobe, involved with emotions and personality
Fill in the blanks in regard to Neural Transmittions:
An _________________________ arrives at the _______ terminal causing the ___________________ to bind to the membrane. The __________________ is released and _____________ across the synapse where they bind with specific ________________
Action potential
Axon
Vesicles
Neurotransmitter
Diffuse
Receptors
Describe the direction of the nerve impulse in a neuron
The nerve impulse goes from cell body to axon to axon terminals
What is the function of a motor neuron
to send impulses from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system
What are the functions of the myelin sheath
The myelin sheath protects the axon and helps increase the speed of transmission of the electrical impulse down the axon.
What are the three parts of the biopsychological model
Biological factors
Psychological factors
Social factors
Biological Factors
genes, hormones, immune function, stress response, brain function, nervous system function, genetic vulnerabilities
Psychological Factors
cognitive processes: learning and memory systems, self-concept, emotional regulation, perceptions, thought processes including belief and attitudes, personality traits and coping skills
Social Factors
relationships, social networks, environmental factors, living conditions, access to health care and education, social disadvantage or deprivation, family support and family circumstances
Describe a Sensitive period
A sensitive period is a stage during biological maturation when an organism is most able to gain a particular skill or characteristic. A sensitive period begins and ends gradually. It is a period of maximal brain growth, after which development within a particular area will take more effort, be slower, and be incomplete
Describe a Critical Period
Critical periods of development involve a stage, usually early in the life span, when an organism is most open to acquiring a specific cognitive or motor skill or socio-emotional competence, as a normal part of development, that cannot be acquired normally at a later stage of development. If the organism does not receive the necessary exposure to appropriate stimuli, further development of this ability will generally not occur.
What is the role of the Brain
The brain is the body’s master information-processing and decision-making organ. It receives, processes and interprets information received from the body’s sensory systems, which it integrates and forms a response to. It then sends motor messages out to all parts of the body so that coordinated and appropriate responses can be made.