Biopsycholgy

Question 1

What is Hemespheric Lateralisation

Answer 1

The idea that both sides of the brain have different functions and work separately

Question 2

What are the two components of the CNS

Answer 2

Brain and Spinal chord

Question 3

What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 3

Somatic and autonomic nervous system

Question 4

What is the role of the somatic nervous system

Answer 4

Transmits info from receptor cells in sense organs in the organs to the CNS

Question 5

What are the divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 5

Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches

Question 6

What is the parasympathetic branch sometimes known as?

Answer 6

Rest and digest

Question 7

What is the sympathetic branch responsible for ?

Answer 7

Fight or flight response

Question 8

What hormone is responsible for the fight and flight response and what secretes it?

Answer 8

Adrenaline from adrenal medulla in kidneys

Question 9

Does the somatic nervous system controls voluntary or involuntary movements ?

Answer 9

Voluntary movements as it activates the muscles and carries information to the brain.

Question 10

What are the features of a sensory neurone ?

Answer 10

Long dendrites and short axon

Question 11

What are the features of a motor neurone ?

Answer 11

Short dendrites and long axons

Question 12

What are the features of a relay neurone ?

Answer 12

Short dendrites and short axon

Question 13

When a neurone is in a resting state is it positively or negatively charged compared to the outside ?

Answer 13

Negatively charged

Question 14

What happens when a neurone is activated ?

Answer 14

The inside becomes positively charged for a split second causing an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards the end of the neurone called an action potential.

Question 15

What does an excitatory neurotransmitter do and give two examples

Answer 15

They make it more likely that the postsynaptic neurone will fire.
Adrenaline and dopamine

Question 16

What does an inhibitory neurotransmitter do and give an example

Answer 16

They make it less likely that the postsynaptic neurone will fire.
Serotonin

Question 16

What is localisation of function ?

Answer 16

The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes or activities.

Question 17

What hormone is released from the thyroid gland and what does it do ?

Answer 17

Thyroxine
Regulates the body’s metabolism and synthesis of proteins

Question 18

What are some examples of localisation of function ?

Answer 18

The somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, auditory cortex, visual cortex, Brocas area and Wernickes

Question 18

What are the two parts of the pituitary gland ? What is the difference

Answer 18

Anterior (Prolactin to stimulate milk production) and posterior (Oxytocin promotes uterine contractions in childbirth)
They produce different hormones

Question 19

Give some evidence for localisation of function (evaluation point)

Answer 19

Broca reported the case study of ‘tan’ who understood speech but was unable to talk (Broca’s aphasia). After a post mortem was done on his brain he was found to have a hole in his left frontal lobe which was concluded to be the reason he was unable to talk. This was named Broca’s area.

Question 20

Who was Peterson et al and how does their study relate to localisation of function ?

Answer 20

He used fMRIs to see what areas of the brain were active during reading and Listening tasks. Brooks area lit up during a reading task and Wernicke’s lit up during a listening task.

Question 21

Give two strengths of fMRIs and explain

Answer 21

High spatial resolution- It can pinpoint the exact location of Brain activity.
It is a non-invasive technique meaning it does not rely on the use of radiation.

Question 22

Give two limitations of fMRIS and explain

Answer 22

Poor temporal resolution- around 5 second time lag between the initial firing of a neutron and it being shown on the screen.
They are very expensive and can only work if the patient stays completely still so will not work for children and those with additional needs.