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Level 5 Sport and Exercise Psychology > Biological Psychology > Flashcards

Biological Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What is biological psychology

A

Biological psychology is the study of biological (both brain and body) mechanisms of normal and abnormal behaviour

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2
Q

Main assumption underpinning biological psychology

A

That the biological and observable behaviour are no more than different levels of the same multi-layered phenomenon

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3
Q

Monism

A

Some mental processes and brain activity are inseparable

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4
Q

Histological staining of biological tissue

A

Stain certain elements of cells allow to see structure of cell underneath, combined with a microscope enables us to create detailed and accurate drawings of the nervous system
Allows us to understand nervous system is comprised of millions of cells (neurons)

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5
Q

Franz Nissel: Nissel stain

A

Stained the nuclei of the cell and surrounding tissue, allows us to visualise the cytoarchitecture of brain areas
However limited as couldn’t really see structure of individual cells so don’t know how they are connected together

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6
Q

Camillio Golgi : Golgi stain

A

Darkly stained some neuroma entirely. This allows us to visualise the structure of the neuron (soma, dendrites and axons)
Clues on how individual cells were connect
- still some debate on how they were connected

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7
Q

Santiago Ramon Y Cajal

A

Used Golgi stain to create accurate drawings of the structure of many brain regions
Helped to understand that their is multiple different neurons with their own structure, individual cells that aren’t connected but communicated by different means

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8
Q

Fundamentals of biological psychology

A

The structure of the nervous system as a whole and as individual cells
How neurons send signals and communicate with each other
Information is ‘coded’ in terms of frequency abs sometimes timing of action potentials (electrical signals)
Signalling between neurons happens at the synapse abs is chemical in nature (neurotransmitters)
Brain development and adult plasticity have a fundamental impact on cognition and behaviour

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9
Q

How do we interact with our environment

A

Input: Sensory systems (proprioception)
Output: Motor systems (gross and fine motor skills)
Influence on behaviour: (emotion and motivation)
Learning and memory: (plasticity)
Psychological disorders (schizophrenia)

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10
Q

Histology

A

EM

Study of body tissue at the microscopic level

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11
Q

Psychopharmacology

A

EM

Study of the effects of drugs on the brain and behaviour

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12
Q

Immunohistochemistry

A

EM

Labelling newly formed DNA proteins

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13
Q

Transcranial Magnetic stimulation

A

EM

Non-invasive method for altering brain activity

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14
Q

Inactivation of brain areas

A

EM

Reversible inhibition of brain activity (usually in animal studies)

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15
Q

Chromosomes

A

Humans have 46 chromosomes
Inherit 23 from your mum and 23 from ur dad
DNA can be compacted into a chromosomes by wrapping it around protein structure (histones)
Each human cell contains approximately 2m of DNA but the nucleus of a human cell is only about micro metres in diameter

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16
Q

DNA

A

Deoxyribonulic Acid
It is a type of nucleus acid (information carrying biomolecule
Nucleic acids are made up of Nucleotides
They contain 3 elements:
Phosphate
Deoxyribose (a sugar)
Nitrogenous base (4 versions, combined in pairs to code for different traits eg eye colour

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17
Q

DNA bases

A

Adenine - Thymine
Cytosine - Guanine

Apple in the tree
Car in the garage

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18
Q

Gene

A

Few thousand to 2 million base pairs

AT, GC

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19
Q

Genes code for proteins

A

Gene code for sequence of amino acids that will be assembled into proteins (note some parts are non - coding
There are 20 kinds of amino acids which can combine to make many different kinds of proteins which perform many kinds of proteins which perform many kinds of functions eg receptors, neurotransmitter)

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20
Q

Gene Expression

A

The final product of gene expression are remarkable molecules called proteins. These proteins come in various shapes and sizes and perform a variety of functions eg Protein synthesis

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21
Q

Protein synthesis

A

The assembly of protein molecules

This is located in the Cytoplasm

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22
Q

Gene expression (mRNA)

A

At protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm and DNA never leaves the nucleus
There needs to be an intermediary that carries the genetic message from nucleus to the site of protein synthesis. This job is performed by a long molecule called messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)

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23
Q

Gene expression Transcription

A

Transcription is the first of several steps of DNA based gene expression in which a particular segment of DNA is copied into mRNA (like a transcript) by the enzyme RNA polymerase

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24
Q

Gene expression Translation

A

Ribosomes link amino acids together to form the proteins based on the message delivered by the mRNA

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25
Q

Ribosome

A

A ribosome is a cell organelle that acts like a micro-machine for making polypeptides and proteins
In cytoplasm

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26
Q

Transfer RNA (tRNAs)

A

Are in the cytoplasm abs they carry amino acids

tRNAs gave anticodons that attach to the complimentary codons on the mRNA

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27
Q

Peptide

A

Two of more amino acid joined together by peptide bonds (short chains)

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28
Q

Polypeptide

A

A chain of many amino acids (larger chains)

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29
Q

Amino acids

A

The building blacks of behaviour

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30
Q

Protein

A

Contain either one complex polypeptide (long > 50-100) or more than one polypeptides joined together
Therefore, proteins are long chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds

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31
Q

Protein structure

A

Primary structure (Amino acid sequence) - the sequence and length of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Secondary structure (eg a helix) - the local folded structure that form within a polypeptide

Tertiary structure (polypeptide chain) - three dimensional structure of polypeptide

Quaternary structure (assembled subunits) - some proteins are made up of multiple polypeptide chains, also known as subunits

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32
Q

Protein folding

A

Properties of the amino acids and how they interact produce the folding

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33
Q

Essential vs non essential amino acids

A

Non essential - get from the body eg proline

Essential - get from environmental eg valine

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34
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Amino acid - GABA, Glutamate
Monoamine - Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin
Peptide - Endorphins
Others - Acetylcholine

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35
Q

Hormones

A

Protein / polypeptide - Insulin, Oxytocin, Ghrelin, Leptin, CHR, ATCH

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36
Q

Other functions of amino acids

A

Dopamine receptors, NMDA receptors, COMT enzyme, HSP Chaperone, Monoamine Transporter, Histones structures

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37
Q

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

A

During cell development we need to make a copy of our DNA, sometimes process goes wrong and a substitution is made, which is the wrong nucleotide being inserted

Can alter the effectiveness of the assembled protein

38
Q

Catechol - On- methyltransferase gene

A

Codes for an enzyme (comt) that is involved in the metabolism of catecholamines, including dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine

Active Catecholamines (dopamine) —> COMT (reactor uses a methyl group) —> inactive metabolite (gets excreted)

39
Q

Polymorphism + Alleles

A

Polymorphism- Are naturally occurring multiple forms of a single gene

Alleles - alternative forms of a gene (eg coding of valine or methionine

40
Q

Genotype

A

The genetic makeup of an organism which is a combination of alleles responsible for determining characteristics and traits of the organism

41
Q

Alleles same vs alleles different

A 
Same = homozygous genotype
Different = heterozygous genotype
42
Q

COMT val/met SNP

A

A functional polymorphism in the COMT gene (val158 met) accounts for a four-fold variation on enzyme activity impacting catecholamines metabolism eg dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine

43
Q

Heinz & Smolka (2006) fMRI study

A

Your COMT genotype
Val/Val, Val/MET, MET/MET

MET/MET - more focused response in the prefrontal correct during WN task & cingulate cortex in attention control task

Also increased reactively to unpleasant stimuli correlation to number of met158 alleles in the amygdala- more anxious and strong stress response than Val type

44
Q

Apolipoprotien E (APOE)

A

(APOE) is a protein (229 amino acids long) involved in the metabolism and transport of lipids eg cholesterol
There are 3 APOE isoforms (ie proteins that have similar but not identical strings of amino acids) which contain SNPs at the 112th and 158th position in the polypeptide string
APOE4 allele is strong risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, Someone with no APOE4 alleles, the increased risk factor is 2-3 fold for one copy and 12- food with two copies (Bertram et al., 2007)

45
Q

Epigenetics

A

Above genetics

What part of dna to express and what part not to

46
Q

Cell differentiation

A

Each cell has its own functions which is dictated by which cells are turned on or off (epigenetic tags)

47
Q

Epigenome

A

How much genes are expressed in certain cells

48
Q

Methylation

A

Methyl groups control the genome by binding to genes you do not want to express. These markers are different depending on the type of cell, essentially dictating the cells function

49
Q

Histone modification

A

DNA is wrapped around the histones (proteins). Tight binding results in less gene expression due to reduced accessibility. The tightness of this wrapping can also be impacted by epigenetic markers

50
Q

Chromation

A

Repeating Nucleosome

A nucleoside is where the 147 nucleotide pairs of DNA is wrapped around 8 histone proteins

51
Q

Nervous system - Two major divisions

A

Central (CNS)

Peripheral (PNS)

52
Q

Central (CNS)

A

Brain & Spinal cord

Recognises input from PNS, does computations, then transmits output instructions

53
Q

Peripheral (PNS)

A

Nerves connecting CNS to muscles and organs
Detects transmits information about internal and external states to the CNS
Executes output instructions from CNS

54
Q

Organisation of the nervous system

A

Nervous system
Peripheral NS Central NS

Somatic NS Autonomic NS Brain spinal cord
Sympathetic/Parasympathetic
NS

55
Q

Brain

A

Brain is approx 1.5kg and sits within the hard bony skull
Made of three distinct parts
Brainstem (joins the brain to spinal cord)
Cerebrum (two hemispheres which consist of a folder outer surface called the cerebral)
Cerebellum (mini brain)

56
Q

Spinal cord

A

A tube shaped structure that runs from the brain down through a series of bony rings (vertebrae)
31 spinal nerves that connect the spinal cord to various body regions:
Cervical nerves C1-C8
Thoracic nerves T1-T12
Lumber nerves L1-L6
Sacral nerves S1-S5
Coccygeal nerve Co

57
Q

Cerebrum subdivisions (lobes)

A

Frontal
Parietal
Occipital - vision
Temporal

58
Q

Cerebellum

A

A position of the brain between the brain stem and cerebrum

59
Q

Brain stem

A

Connects the brain to the spinal cord, consists of multiple elements including the medulla oblongata, midbrain and pons

60
Q

The cerebrum - features

A

Gyrus- A ridge on the surface of the cerebral hemisphere caused by the unfolding of the cerebral cortex
Sulcus- a shadow furrow on the surface of the brain
Fissure - a deep furrow on the surface of the brain (natural divide)

61
Q

Cranial nerves

A

Connect the brain to the face, sensory organs and some internal organs:
Afferent: Nerves incoming(sensory-red)
Efferent: Nerves outgoing (motor- blue)

62
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Voluntary control of the skeletal muscles of the body, allowing us to move in our environment. This includes gross motor control (eg walking) and fine motor control (eg writing)

63
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Involuntary movement (eg heart beat, blood pressure, respiration etc). Slight monomer as we are now releasing we do have some conscious influence over these processes

64
Q

Three divisions of autonomic system

A

The sympathetic nervous system that is activated by conditions that promote alertness (eg fight or flight, exams)
The parasympathetic NS which is activated by conditions of recovery and relaxation and slows things down to conserve energy
Electric nervous system (intrinsic nervous system) consists of a mesh-like system of neurons that governs the function of the gastrointestinal system

65
Q

Neurons

A

A cell that transmits nerve impulses
Perform information processing and communication functions of the NS
Vary in shapes and sizes; the human NS contains about 100 billion neurons

66
Q

Glia

A

A supporting cell
Have a support function and enhance neural activity
Are one-tenth the size of neurons
10x as many glia cells as neurons

67
Q

Structure of neuron

A

3 major parts
Soma: the cell body that contains DNA enveloped in the nucleus and other organelles required for protein production
Dendrites: A projection that conducts the electrochemical stimulation received from other neurons towards the soma
- dendrites are covered in minute projections known as dendritic spines, making their surface area large
- dendritic structure can vary between neurons and is related to complexity of neurons info processing
(Dynamic structures that continually remodelling)
Axon: structure that extends from the elk body of a neuron to the terminal endings and transmits neural signals via synapse. The longest axons in the human body are those of the sciatic nerve, which run from the base of the spine to the big toe of each foot

68
Q

Structure types of neurons

A

Unipolar
One projection from the cell body, which decides into 2 branches
Single dendritic tree extends towards the outside of the organism, axon towards the brain (touch)
Bipolar
Has one dendritic tree and one axon at the opposite ends of the cell body (vision)
Multipolar
Many dendritic trees extending from the cell body and one long axon (most common)

69
Q

Types of neurons: Functional division

A

Sensory neurons: Neurons with neuritis in the sensory surfaces of the body (eg sensory receptors in skin) Afferent (inwards) - Carry sensory messages from the PNS to the CNS so we can detect info from our environment
Interneurons: Form connections only with other neurons (can be found in the brain and spinal cord). Connection - Connect sensory and motor neurons together or connect other interneuron together
Motor neurons: Neurons with axons that form synapses with muscles and command movement (and some internal organ). Efferent (outwards) - Carry motor messages from the CNS to the PNS so we can produce action within our environment

70
Q

The synapse

A

The point of functional connection
Three components:
Presynaptic neuron - the axon terminal
Postsynaptic neuron - the dendrites or cell body
Synaptic cleft - a gap that aerpartes the membranes. The width of the synaptic cleft is about 20 nanometres

71
Q

Celia cells

A

6 sub types of glia cells within NS
PNS:
Schwann cells -wrap round axons/ protection layer (myelin sheaths
Satellite cells- nutrients and protection
CNS:
Astrocyte - Protect + support
Oligodendrocyte - wrap around neurons / electrical insulation called myelin sheaths
Microglia - surround +digest damaged/ invading cells
Ependymal cell- manufactures cerebrospinal fluid

72
Q

Myelination

A

Process in which glial cells wrap axons with a fatty sheath, called myelin. This acts to insulate and speed up nerve conduction. There are small gaps in the myelin sheath along the axon which have been called the nodes of Ranvier

73
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

The electrical signal is propagated by the nodes of Ranvier, before jumping to next and being regenerated. This structure enables the electrical signals to travel rapidly along the axon

74
Q

Neurons & Glia cells

A

Are high specialised cells that work together in a system that produces effective communication within NS

75
Q

A gene

A

A distinct sequence of nucleotides

76
Q

DNA is compacted into chromosomes by wrapping it around what type of protein structure

A

Histones

77
Q

How many different kinds of amino acids

A

20

78
Q

The process in which DNA is copied to mRNA is called

A

Transcription

79
Q

The mRNA codes for amino acids in

A

Codons

80
Q

The process in which Ribosomes like amino acids together to form peptide chains is called

A

Translation

81
Q

How does tRNA transfer the correct amino acid based on the codes in the mRNA

A

Complimentary anticodons

82
Q

All SNPs result in a change in the amino acids coded for?

A

False

83
Q

What three neurotransmitters are catecholamines?

A

Epinephrine, dopamine and norepinephrine

84
Q

A SNP on which gene is associated with risk of Alzheimer’s

A

APOE

85
Q

Alternate forms of a gene are referred to as

A

Alleles

86
Q

All cells in your body have the same DNA?

A

True

87
Q

Kinds of epigenetic markers

A

Methylation & Acetylation

88
Q

At the embryonic stage, are the epigenetic tags that dictate cell type in place?

A

Yes

89
Q

Why does histone modification impact gene expression

A

It impacts gene accessibility

90
Q

In Jirtle et al (2013) what was the result of feeding a diet rich in B-Vitamins to rat carrying the Agouti gene during gestation

A

Offspring displayed normal features despite having the agouti gene

91
Q

Can lifestyle factors influence your epigenome

A

Yes

Level 5 Sport and Exercise Psychology (8 decks)

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