Biopsychology

Question 1

3 types of neurones

Answer 1

The three types of neurones are sensory, relay and motor

Question 2

Sensory neurones

Answer 2

Sensory neurones:
-Carry messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system
-Long dendrites
-Short axons

Question 3

Relay neurones

Answer 3

Relay neurones:
-Connects the sensory neurones to communicate with motor neurones
-Short dendrites
-Short axons

Question 4

Motor neurones

Answer 4

Motor neurones:
-Connect central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and glands
-Short dendrites
-Long axons

Question 5

Synapses

Answer 5

Synapses are junctions between neurones that allow for signals to be transmitted

Question 6

Synaptic transmission

Answer 6

Synaptic transmission is the process where a nerve impulse passes across from one neurone to another

Question 7

Action potential

Answer 7

Action potential is when info is passed along neurones to the axon, and gets released as chemical signals called neurotransmitters

Question 8

Role of the synaptic vesicles

Answer 8

The synaptic vesicles are sacs found at the end of axons that release neurotransmitters across a synapse

Question 9

What happens if excitatory synapses are more active?

Answer 9

If excitatory synapses are more active, the cell fires at a high rate

Question 10

What happens if inhibitory synapses are more active?

Answer 10

If inhibitory synapses are more active, the cell fires at a much smaller rate

Question 11

Exicitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 11

Excitatory neurotransmitters increases likelihood of charged signals being passed onto the next neurone

Question 12

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 12

Inhibitory neurotransmitters decreases likelihood of charged signals being passed onto the next neurone

Question 13

How the ‘fight or flight’ response is triggered

Answer 13

If the situation is deemed as stressful/dangerous, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, which communicates with the body through the sympathetic nervous system. If the situation requires a short-term response the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) is activated, triggering the fight or flight response.

Question 14

‘Fight or flight’ response evaluation

Answer 14

‘Fight or flight’ response evaluation:
- = often studied on males -> beta biased
- = fight or flight response is not the only response to danger -> eg freezing up, avoidance etc

Question 15

Somatic nervous system function

Answer 15

The somatic nervous system facilliates communication between the CNS and the outside world. Made up of sensory receptors that carry information and motor pathways that that allow brain to control movement

Question 16

Autonomic nervous system function

Answer 16

The autonomic nervous system:
-Role in homeostasis (maintains internal processes eg blood pressure, temperature, heart rate)
-Two components: Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous sytem