Biological Approach

Question 1

Word

Answer 1

Definition

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

binds to the receptor site and then stops that neurotransmitter from binding and sending a signal

Question 3

Agonist

Answer 3

This binds to the receptor site and mimics the actions of the neurotransmitter whose receptor sites its binding too.

Question 4

Evolutionary explanation of behavior:

Answer 4

Explaining how a behaviour helps an individual to pass on their genes by helping them to survive, procreate and/or produce healthy offspring (children).

Question 5

FMRI

Answer 5

a non-invasive technique for imaging the activation of brain areas by different types of physical sensation (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) or activity such as problem solving and/or movement.

Question 6

Gene regulation and gene expression

Answer 6

Not all genes an individual possesses are expressed at all times. Genes can be switched on and off. This is gene regulation resulting in differential gene expression. Therefore, having a gene for a particular behaviour does not necessarily mean that an individual will exhibit that behaviour.

Question 7

Genes

Answer 7

Genes are made up of DNA that provides the blueprint for the structure and function of the human body. This could include behaviour. An individual’s genome refers to all the genes that individual possesses. The link between genes and behaviour can be studied using one or more examples.

Question 8

Genetic similarities

Answer 8

The use of people with similar genes in research, e.g. identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins.

Question 9

Hormones

Answer 9

Chemicals released by specific glands in the body to regulate medium- and long-term changes in the body. Some hormones, for example, adrenaline, also act as neurotransmitters and can produce instantaneous effects on mood and attention. One or more examples can be used to study hormonal effects on behaviour.

Question 10

Kinship study

Answer 10

comparing MZ and DZ twins but also include normal siblings, half siblings, step and adoptive siblings. (pedigree or family study)

Question 11

Localization of function

Answer 11

The concept that specific parts of the cerebral cortex are relatively specialized for particular types of cognitive and behavioural processes.

Question 12

MRI

Answer 12

scans image anatomical structure. (magnetic resonance imaging) provides a map of the brain – how it looks at a set moment in time.

Question 13

Neural networks

Answer 13

Develop in the brain by the making and breaking of synaptic connections between neurons.

Question 14

Neuroplasticity

Answer 14

The development of neural networks through repetition and neural pruning that is both genetic and subject to environmental influences. Neural networks can change developmentally, over time or after injury.

Question 15

Neurotransmission

Answer 15

It is enough for students to know that nerve impulses travel along neurons until they reach a synapse. The details of how this is achieved are not required.

Question 16

Neurotransmitters

Answer 16

Mediate the events at the synapse. There are many neurotransmitters in the human brain. Serotonin and dopamine are two of the better known. Many hormones can also act as neurotransmitters, for example, adrenaline and oxytocin. One or more examples can be used to illustrate the effect of neurotransmitters.

Question 17

Pheromone

Answer 17

A chemical messenger that is sent from one animal and it has an effect on a different animal.

Question 18

Synapse

Answer 18

The space between two neurons. where neurotransmitters move between.

Question 19

Twin and kinship studies

Answer 19

Also referred to as twin and family studies

Question 20

Twin study

Answer 20

A twin study uses MZ and DZ twins and compares their behaviour in order to measure heritability.