Biological Approaches to Psychological Disorders

Question 1

How many neurones are in the human body?

Answer 1

80 billion

Question 2

What electrical potential range does resting potential lay within?

Answer 2

-50mV to -80mV

Question 3

What is another term used to describe a neuron in resting potential?

Answer 3

Polarised

Question 4

Name the 4 ways ions can move in/ out of a neuron?

Answer 4

Na+/K+ pump, concentration gradient, electrochemical gradient and selective permeability

Question 5

Describe the action potential.

Answer 5

If threshold is reached, the voltage gated sodium ion channels open, causing a Na+ influx into the neuron, at the peak of the action potential, Na+ channels close and K+ channels open (slower than Na+) causing K+ to diffuse out of the cell. K+ channels are slow to close so the electrical potential becomes more negative than resting potential, causing hyperpolarisation

Question 6

What channels open on the presynaptic terminal allowing neurotransmitter release?

Answer 6

Chlorine (Cl-)

Question 7

What are metabotropic receptors also known as?

Answer 7

G-protein coupled receptors

Question 8

Name the four main chemical pathways in the brain.

Answer 8

Dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and acetylcholine