Biological Approach Content Review

Question 1

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 1

Is a noninvasive imaging test using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish white matter and grey matter within the brain.

Question 2

Localization of function

Answer 2

The theory that specific parts of the brain are responsible for certain behaviours or cognitive processes. Although, it is rare that only one part of the brain works in isolation. Implies that the removal of that part of the brain would result in the inability to carry out that process.

Question 3

Neuroplasticity

Answer 3

The brain’s ability to alter its own structure due to internal or environmental changes. The two mechanisms of neuroplasticity are dendritic branching and neural pruning.

Question 4

Neural network

Answer 4

When learning something new, dendritic branching occurs, forming the initial connection. When that connection is reinforced, this strengthens the synaptic connection and response.
This creates a group of neurons interconnected by synapses to carry out a specific function when activated.

Question 5

Neural pruning

Answer 5

Neural pruning is the elimination of synaptic connections as a result of discontinued behaviour, and to increase the efficiency of neural networks. Therefore, these two factors alter the size and structure of the brain.

Question 6

Neurotransmitters (If ‘Neuron’ just define briefly first)

Answer 6

Electrochemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons, transmitting information between neurons. activated from external or internal stimuli. an action potential travels down the body of a neuron, releasing neuron transmitters stored in neuron terminal buttons. they can be agonists or antagonists, depending on what is done to the pre or post-synaptic receptors.

Question 7

Synapse (in relation to excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters)

Answer 7

A junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter. After crossing the synapse, the neurotransmitters fit into receptor sites on the post-synaptic membrane. Then, the neurotransmitters are either broken down by an enzyme or reabsorbed by the terminal buttons, in a process called reuptake.

Question 8

Agonist

Answer 8

A chemical or a drug that binds to receptors in the brain and causes a reaction. Agonists can occur naturally in the body as neurotransmitters (endogenous agonists) or come from exterior sources like drugs and toxins (exogenous agonists)

Question 9

Antagonist

Answer 9

A chemical or drug that binds to receptors in the brain and prevents a neurotransmitter from having an effect on behaviour.

Question 10

Acetycholine

Answer 10

Acetylcholine receptor sites are found in the hippocampus. It appears that acetylcholine plays a key role in memory consolidation from STM to LTM.

Question 11

Hormones

Answer 11

Are chemical messengers released from the endocrine system into the bloodstream. When attached to target cells, they can then induce physiological or behavioural responses.

Question 12

Cortisol

Answer 12

A stress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. Responsible for the breakdown of glucose in the fight-or-flight response. It appears to be linked to hippocampal cell loss and memory dysfunction.

Question 13

Pheromones

Answer 13

A chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behaviour or physiology of others of its own species

Question 14

Twin or kinship studies

Answer 14

Twin studies measure the concordance rates of a particular trait across monozygotic and dizygotic twins.

Question 15

Concordance Rate

Answer 15

The probability that the same trait will be present in both members of a pair of twins

Question 16

Genes and their effects on behaviour

Answer 16

Behavioural genetics deals with understanding how both genetics and the environment contribute to individual variations in human behaviour.

Question 17

Evolutionary explanation for behaviour

Answer 17

The study of evolutionary interactions with our behaviour. If an organism has a trait that is advantageous to its species’ survival, it has a greater chance of passing on it’s genes to its offspring. These traits can be behaviour with a biological cause.

Question 18

Animal Models

Answer 18

Research that includes the use of animals in order to gain insight into human physiology and behaviour, when humans can not be used. There are concerns regarding generalizing findings from animal research to humans. And, ethical concerns on the use of animals in biopsychological research.

Question 19

Ethical considerations in regards to animal models

Answer 19

The utilitarian argument takes the position that if the experimentation results in a greater good, then it was appropriate. This argument also supports the condition that if research can be in any other way and yield the same results, then animals should not be used. In order to determine this, a cost-benefit analysis must be applied.

The animal rights argument, however, believes that all animals have rights. Using animals for research is thus considered inappropriate, and is an example of speciesism.