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A level Psychology AQA > Biopsychology > Flashcards

Biopsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

what is the central nervous system

A

Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions. It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS .

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2
Q

what is the Nervous system

A

Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

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3
Q

what is the brain

A

The centre of all conscious awareness. The cerebral cortex is highly developed in humans and is what distinguished out higher mental functions from those of animals. It is divided into two hemispheres.

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4
Q

what is the spinal cord

A

An extension of the brain. It is responsible for reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate.

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5
Q

what is the Peripheral nervous system

A

Sends information to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body. It does this via millions of neurons (nerve cells) and is divided into the Autonomic nervous system and Somatic nervous system

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6
Q

what is the Somatic nervous system

A

Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that direct muscles to contract. Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors.

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7
Q

what is the Autonomic nervous system

A

Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. It is ‘autonomic’ as the system operated involuntarily. It has two main divisions; the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Governs vital functions of the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses.

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8
Q

what is the Parasympathetic nervous systems

A

A division of the ANS which controls the relaxed state (rest and digest), conserving resources and promoting digestion and metabolism. The parasympathetic branch words in the opposition to the sympathetic branch of the ANS. One or other is active at any time.

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9
Q

what is the Sympathetic nervous systems

A

A division of the ANS which activates internal organs for vigorous activities and emergencies, such as the fight or flight response. It consists of nerves that control, for example, increased heart rate and breathing, and decreased digestive activity. The sympathetic branch works in opposition to the parasympathetic branch of the ANS.

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10
Q

name the different states of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system

A

Sympathetic (Fight or Flight )
-increased heart rate
-increased breathing rate
-dilates pupils
- inhibits digestion
-inhibits saliva production
- contracts rectum

Parasympathetic ( rest and digest )
- decreases heart rate
-decreases breathing rate
-constricts pupils
-stimulates digestion
-stimulates saliva production
-relaxes rectum

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11
Q

what is the endocrine system

A

One of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the blood stream. These hormones are carried towards target organs in the body.

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12
Q

what are the 7 different types of glands

A

1-Pituitary Gland
2-Pineal Gland
3- Thyroid Gland
4-Testes
5-Ovaries
6-Adrenal gland
7-Pancreas

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13
Q

what is the pituitary gland

A

-is the main endocrine gland
-located in the brain
-often called the master gland as it controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands
-releases lots of different hormones

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14
Q

what are the 7 hormones released by the glands

A

1- the pituitary gland releases lots of different hormones
2-the pineal gland releases melatonin
3-the Thyroid gland releases Thyroxin
4- the testes release testosterone
5-the ovaries release oestrogen
6-the Adrenal gland adrenaline
7- the pancreas releases insulin

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15
Q

what are the hormones responsible for

A

1- Melatonin is Responsible for important biological rhythms, including the sleep-wake cycle
2-Thyroxine is Responsible for regulating metabolism
3-Testostrone is Responsible for the development of male sex characteristics during puberty while also promoting muscle growth
4-Oestrogen Controls the regulation of the female reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and pregnancy
5- Adrenaline is Responsible for fight or flight response - stimulates the heart rate, contracts blood vessels, and dilates air passages among other impacts
6- Insulin Allows the body to use glucose from carbohydrates in food for energy or to store glucose for future use. It helps keep blood sugar levels stable.

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16
Q

what are the steps of the fight or flight response

A

1-The hypothalamus recognises a threat in the environment
2-The ANS activates the sympathetic nervous system
3-The sympathetic nervous system tells the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH
4-This sends a message to the adrenal gland
5-The adrenal gland responds by releasing adrenaline
6-The adrenaline travels via the bloodstream and targets organs in the body which have adrenaline receptors
7-This causes many physical changes to occur
8-This process is the fight or flight response and allows the body to act
9-Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system brings the body back to normal, resting, functions

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17
Q

what is a neurons

A

The basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals.

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18
Q

what is a sensory neuron

A

These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons.

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19
Q

what is a relay neuron

A

These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.

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20
Q

what is a motor neuron

A

These connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons.

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21
Q

what is the myelin sheath

A

This a fatty layer, which surrounds and protects the axon. It helps to speed up the electrical transmission of the impulse.

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22
Q

what are the nodes of Ranvier

A

These are the gaps between the myelin sheath. Their purpose is to speed up the transmission of the impulse, by forcing it to ‘jump’ across the gaps along the axon.

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23
Q

what are terminal buttons

A

These are located at the end of the axon. They communicate with the next neuron that is on the other side of the synaptic cleft.

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24
Q

What are dendrites

A

These branch-like features protrude from the cell body. They carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body.

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25
Q

What are Axons

A

This carries the electrical impulse from the cell body, down the length of the neuron. It is covered in myelin sheath.

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26
Q

what is synaptic transmission

A

The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synaptic cleft them separates them.

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27
Q

what is a neurotransmitter

A

are electrochemical messengers that transmit nerve impulses across the synaptic gap during the process of synaptic transmission.

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28
Q

what are the two types of neurotransmitters

A

-Excitatory
-Inhibitory

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29
Q

what is excitation

A

When a neurotransmitter, such as adrenaline, increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron. This increases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical impulse.

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30
Q

what is inhibition

A

When a neurotransmitter, such as serotonin, makes the change of the postsynaptic neuron more negative. This decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical signal.

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31
Q

what is the synapse

A

The junction between two neurons. This includes the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic clef and the postsynaptic receptor site.

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32
Q

what is the synaptic cleft

A

The space between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuron

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33
Q

what is a synaptic vesicles

A

Small sacs on the end of a presynaptic neuron that contain neurotransmitters that will be released into a synapse.

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34
Q

what is the pre synaptic neuron

A

The transmitting neuron, before the synaptic cleft.

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35
Q

what is the post synaptic neuron

A

The neuron that is receiving the information at the synapse.

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36
Q

what is the post synaptic receptor site

A

A receptor on the post-synaptic neuron. A neurotransmitter locks into a specific receptor on the post-synaptic neuron and this triggers an electrical impulse in the post-synaptic neuron.

37
Q

what are the basic steps of synaptic transmission

A

1- Action potential arrives at pre-synaptic neuron
2-As a result of the action potential, vesicles (containing neurotransmitters) diffuse towards the pre-synaptic membrane
3-Vesicles bind to the pre-synaptic membrane and
the neurotransmitters are released
4-Neurotransmitters chemically diffuse across the synapse
5-Neurotransmitters bind to complementary receptors on the post-synaptic neuron membrane and an electrical impulse is subsequently passed on.

38
Q

what does the electrical impulse travel down

A

Pre synaptic neuron

39
Q

what does the electrical impulse travel along to reach the terminal buttons

A

the axon

40
Q

what happens when the electrical impulse gets to the terminal branch

A

it stimulates the synaptic vesicles

41
Q

what doe the synaptic vesicles contain

A

Neurotransmitters

42
Q

why do neurotransmitters cross the synapse

A

to get to the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron.

43
Q

what on the on the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron

A

There are receptors

44
Q

what receptors known as

A

are known as the lock, in the lock and key theory

45
Q

what does the connection between the neurotransmitter and the receptor cause

A

an electrical impulse to be created in the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron. However, this depends on whether the neurotransmitters are excitatory or inhibitory.

46
Q

if a neurotransmitter is excitatory it is more likely that

A

an electrical impulse will travel down the post-synaptic neuron and the process can begin all over again.

47
Q

what do the SSRI’s in OCD block

A

the reuptake channels so serotonin remains in the synapse and continues in to bind with more receptors .
-too little serotonin is thought to cause OCD

48
Q

what do antipsychotics drugs in schizophrenia block

A

the receptors to prevent dopamine binding .
- too much dopamine is thought to cause schizophrenia.

49
Q

How does fMRi scanning work

A

it works by detecting changes in blood oxygenation and blood flow that indicates increased neutral activity.
people are asked to do a task and it is observed where the brain activity.
when a brain area is more active it consumes more oxygen and to meet this increased demand blood flow is directed to the active area .
it produces 3D images showing how parts of the brain are involved in particular mental process which is important for establishing localisation of function.

50
Q

what is an advantage of using fMRi to study the brain

A

its non invasive unlike other scanning techniques such as PET .
it does rely on the use of radiation and is safe.
it produces images with high spatial resolution.
it shows details by a millimetre this provides a clearer picture of how brain activity is localised.

51
Q

what is a disadvantage of using fMRi to study the brain

A

fMRi is expensive and can only capture an image if the person stays still. this limits appropriateness of fMRi.
it has low temporal resolution. this is because there is a 5 second lag between initial neural activity and image .this means fMRi may not truly represent moment-to-moment brain activity.

52
Q

how does EEG work

A

-it records changes in electrical activity using electrodes attached to the scalp.
-the scan recording represents the brainwave patterns that are generated from the actions of millions of neurons, providing an overall account of brain activity.
-its often used as a diagnostic tool as unusual arrhythmic patterns may indicate neurological abnormalities e.g. epilepsy.

53
Q

what are the strengths of EEG

A

-EEG is invaluable in diagnosing conditions . for example it has been used to identify epilepsy and also in understanding the stages of sleep. this shows its an appropriate way to measure brain activity.
- it has an extremely high temporal resolution. EEG can detect brain activity as resolution of a single millisecond. this means that its more able to represent moment to moment brain activity.

54
Q

what are limitations of EEG

A
  • EEG information is received for many thousands of neurons. the EEG produces a generalised signal from thousands of neurons this means its difficult to know the exact source of neutral activity. therefore EEG cannot distinguish between the activity of different but adjacent neuron.
    -EEG do not provide a complete picture of brain activity . they only monitor electrical activity in outer layers of the brain. Therefore they cannot reveal electrical activity in deeper brain site.
55
Q

How does ERP work

A

-it records changes in electrical activity using electrodes attached to the scalp but uses a specific stimulus (sensory, cognitive or motor) to see where the activity is.
-Using a statistical averaging technique, all extraneous brain activity from the original EEG recording is filtered out leaving only those responses that related to a specific stimulus or task.

56
Q

what are the strengths of ERPs

A

-ERPs are very specific measurement of neural processes. They are more specific that what can be achieved using raw EEG data. This means that it is a better method of investigating the brain.
-ERPs have excellent temporal resolution . ERPs can detect brain activity as a resolution of a single millisecond. this means that it is more able to represent moment to moment brain activity.

57
Q

what are the limitations ERPs

A

-ERPs lack standardisation in methodology between studies. This makes it difficult to confirm findings in studies involving ERPs. Therefore the reliability to the information regarding the brain’s structure and function is lowered.
-ERPs have background noise and extraneous material must be completely eliminated. This may not always be easy to achieve. This limits the appropriateness of the method for investigating the brain.

58
Q

how does post mortem examinations work

A

-they examine abnormalities in the structure of the brain which try to explain psychological abnormalities that people have before death.
-they may also involve comparison with a neurotypical (normal) brain in order to ascertain the extent of the difference.

59
Q

what are the strength of post mortem examinations

A

-It provided the foundation for understanding the brain . Broca and Wernicke both relied on post-mortem studies. This shows that post-mortem studies have improved medical knowledge and helped to generate hypotheses for further study.
-it allows for in-depth study of the brain. Detailed examinations and measurement of deep brain structure for example the hypothalamus that are not measurable by brain scans can occur .This provide us with knowledge of the brain that cannot be gained from less invasive options.

60
Q

what are the limitations of post mortem examination.

A
  • in post-mortem causation may be an issue . Observed damages in the brain may not be linked to deficits under review but some other related to trauma or decay. This limits the appropriateness of the method.
    -Post-mortem studies raise ethical issues of consent. Before death, patients need to give informed consent , but there is a reason that psychologists want to investigate their brains in the first place. this meant that they may not be able to provide informed consent , for example HM lost ability to form memories so couldn’t provide consent.
61
Q

define localisation

A

the theory that specific areas of the brain ae associated with particular physical and psychological functions.

62
Q

where did the concept of functional localisation originates from phrenology.

A

Phrenology

63
Q

what are the three layers of the human brain

A

-the central core
-the limbic system
-the cerebrum

64
Q

what is the central core also known as

A

the brain stem

65
Q

what does the central core include

A

it includes structures such as hypothalamus in the midbrain

66
Q

what does the central core regulate

A

regulates the most primitive and involuntary behaviours such as breathing, sleeping or sneezing

67
Q

what does the limbic system control

A

it controls our emotions

68
Q

what structure does the limbic system contain

A

hippocampus; key roles in memory

69
Q

what is the cerebrum made up of

A

the left and right hemispheres and surrounded by the cerebral cortex. which covers the inner parts of the brain.

70
Q

how does the cortex separate us from animals

A

its about 3 mm thick and the human cortex is much more developed

71
Q

what 4 lobes does the two hemispheres subdivide into

A

-the frontal lobe
- the parietal lobe
-the occipital lobe
-the temporal lobe

72
Q

explain the function of the motor cortex

A

it sends nerve impulses to the muscles. Different areas of the motor cortex control different muscle movements:
-the right side of the body is processed in the left hemisphere
-the left side of the body is processed in the right hemisphere

73
Q

where is the motor cortex located in the brain

A

at the back of the frontal lobe

74
Q

if the motor cortex is damaged what does it effect

A

loss of movement

75
Q

where is the somatosensory cortex located

A

at the front of the parietal lobe

76
Q

what happens if the somatosensory cortex is damaged

A

loss of senses

77
Q

what is the function of the somatosensory cortex

A

represents sensory information from the skin. the more sensitive an area is the more space it takes up in the cortex.

78
Q

where the visual cortex located

A

in the occipital lobe

79
Q

what is the role of the visual cortex

A

information from the right visual field is sent to the field is sent to left visual cortex and vive versa . receives and processes impulses from the optic nerves .

80
Q

what happens if the visual cortex is damaged

A

loss of specific areas of the visual field.

81
Q

where is the auditory cortex located

A

in the temporal lobe

82
Q

what is the role of the auditory cortex

A

analyses speech based information

83
Q

what happens if the auditory cortex Is damaged

A

partial hearing loss

84
Q

where is Wernicke’s area located

A

in the left temporal lobe

85
Q

what is the role of Wernicke’s area

A

responsible for language comprehension (understanding language)

86
Q

what happens if Wernicke’s area is damaged

A

means people produce nonsense words i.e they can speak fluently , but the words are meaningless to them

87
Q

where is Broca’s area located

A

small area in left frontal lobe

88
Q

what is the role of Broca’s area

A

responsible for speech productions

89
Q
A

A level Psychology AQA (11 decks)

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