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AQA A-Level Psychology > Biopsychology > Flashcards

Biopsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

divisions of the nervous system:
describe the nervous system

A

nervous system
peripheral nervous system (PNS) - somatic and autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic)

central nervous system - brain and spinal cord

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2
Q

divisions of the nervous system:
describe the arc reflex

A

limited movement from the spinal cord to react to potential unseen danger
e.g. hand on hob, jerk hand off

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3
Q

divisions of the nervous system:
describe the central nervous system (CNS)

A
  • Brain - responsible for:
    -collect, process and respond to
    environmental information
    -coordinate and direct the
    working of organs and cells
  • Spinal Cord - responsible for carrying messages (using neurons) to and from the brain to the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
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4
Q

divisions of the nervous system:
describe the peripheral nervous system (PSN)

A

all nerves beyond the CNS are referred to as the PNS, which sends relay neuron impulses from the CNS to the rest of the body
made up of the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

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5
Q

divisions of the nervous system:
describe the somatic nervous system (SNS) and its location

A
  • voluntary
  • regulates voluntary movement
  • positioned in the motor cortex and the somatosensory cortex
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6
Q

divisions of the nervous system:
describe the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A
  • involuntary
  • regulates the functions of our internal organs
  • regulates involuntary responses
  • positioned in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
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7
Q

neurons and synaptic transmission:
name the three types of neurons

A
  • sensory neurons
  • relay neurons
  • motor neurons
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8
Q

neurons and synaptic transmission:
describe the structure of a neuron

A
  • at the top of a neuron, the nucleus is positioned within the dendrite
  • passes down to the axon (tail) which contains a series of myelin sheaths (boosters) before going down the axon-terminal (terminal button - pre-synaptic neuron)
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9
Q

neurons and synaptic transmission:
describe the processes of synaptic transmission

A
  • soma fires electrical impulse towards terminal button, which gets boosted by the myelin sheaths
  • electrical impulse becomes chemical
  • synaptic vesicles move towards membrane wall
  • slides into wall firing chemicals across synapse
  • binds with receptors on surface of dendrite
  • any impulse without a receptor gets reuptaken by axon-terminal
  • chemicals either elicit excitatory or inhibitory response
  • excitatory response (EPSP) increases chance of new neuron firing, inhibitory response (IPSP) reduces chance
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10
Q

endocrine system:
what glands are contained in the endocrine system, what hormones do they elicit and what is their function

A
  • pituitary gland - growth hormone, grow
  • thyroid gland - thyroxine, metabolism
  • adrenal gland - adrenaline, fight or flight
  • pineal gland - melatonin, helps with the timing of your circadian rhythm
  • thymus - thymosin, immune system
  • pancreas - insulin, controls glucose
  • ovary - oestrogen, menstrual cycle
  • testis - testosterone, muscle mass and sex drive
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11
Q

adrenaline and fight or flight response:
how does the body respond to acute stress (immediate stress)

A

via the sympathomedullary (SAM) pathway
this results in the hippocampus and amygdala trying to recognise emotional reaction to stimuli and use schema to identify potential danger
if there is a threat, your hypothalamus sends a message to the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline

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12
Q

adrenaline and fight or flight response:
describe the effects of adrenaline

A
  • increased perspiration (sweat)
  • pupils dilate
  • increased respiration (breathing)
  • increased heart rate (raised bp)
  • increased blood flow to muscles
  • reduced activity in digestive system
    (all under the sympathetic nervous system (SNS))
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13
Q

adrenaline and fight or flight response:
describe the characteristics of the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS)

A
  • constricted pupils
  • slower heartbeat
  • constricted airways
  • stimulate stomach activity
  • inhibit glucose release
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14
Q

ways of studying the brain:
Name the 4 ways of studying the brain

A
  • post-mortem examination
  • functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
  • electroencephalograms (EEGs)
  • event related potentials (ERPs)
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15
Q

ways of studying the brain:
describe post-mortem examinations, stating advantages and disadvantages

A
  • examination of your corpse
    A: doesn’t harm the patient
    D: you need to be dead
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16
Q

ways of studying the brain:
describe functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), stating advantages and disadvantages

A
  • measures the energy released by haemoglobin after a magnetic field in removed
    A: accurate down to 1mm (spatial resolution). moving image. objective in results. non-invasive
    D: subjective in interpretation. cost between 860 000 and 2 400 000. poor temporal resolution (takes between 1-6 seconds to appear on monitor)
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17
Q

ways of studying the brain:
describe electroencephalograms (EEGs), stating advantages and disadvantages

A
  • measures general electrical activity of the brain
    A: non-invasive. strong temporal resolution (appears immediately). cheap compared to fMRIs
    D: not particularly accurate - poor spatial resolution. only measures outer regions of the brain
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18
Q

ways of studying the brain:
describe event related potentials (ERPs), stating advantages and disadvantages

A
  • EEG but with a stimuli to see what part of the brain gets triggered
    A: non-invasive. strong temporal resolution
    D: poor spatial resolution. only measures outer regions of the brain (cerebral cortex)
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19
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe localisation of function

A

the concept that certain functions take place in certain locations in the brain. every function is localised to a specific region of the brain

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20
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
name the four lobes in the brain

A
  • frontal lobe
  • parietal lobe
  • occipital lobe
  • temporal lobe
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21
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
define somatotopically

A

events in specific parts of the body correspond with specific parts in the central nervous system (CNS)

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22
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
name the four cortexes in the brain

A
  • motor cortex
  • somatosensory cortex
  • visual cortex
  • auditory cortex
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23
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the motor cortex is and what its role is

A
  • located in the posterior of the frontal lobe (back of frontal lobe)
  • responsible for voluntary skilled motor movements (e.g. playing the guitar)
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24
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the somatosensory cortex is and what its role is

A
  • located in the anterior of the parietal lobe (front of parietal lobe)
  • responsible for interpreting incoming sensory information
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25
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the visual cortex is and what its role is

A
  • located in the occipital lobe
  • responsible for processing visual information (visuo-spatial sketchpad)
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26
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the auditory cortex is and what its role is

A
  • located in the superior temporal lobe (upper temporal lobe)
  • responsible for analysing the processing acoustic information (phonological loop)
27
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the frontal lobe is and what functions it holds according to localisation

A
  • located in the anterior of the brain (front of the brain)
  • functions include; intelligence, reflection, emotional reaction
27
Q

give evaluations for localisation of function in the brain

A
  • biologically reductionistic
  • case study support (Phineas Gage)
  • practical applications (stroke wards)
  • over-reliance on case studies (Phineas Gage)
  • Beta bias (assumes no gender difference - lowered ecological validity)
27
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the parietal lobe is and what functions it holds according to localisation

A
  • located in the superior posterior of the brain (upper back of the brain)
  • functions include; proprioception (awareness of surroundings)
28
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the occipital lobe is and what functions it holds according to localisation

A
  • located in the inferior posterior of the brain (lower back of the brain)
  • functions include; visual communication
29
Q

localisation of function in the brain:
describe where the temporal lobe is and what functions it holds according to localisation

A
  • located in the inferior anterior of the brain (lower front of the brain)
  • functions include; memory, fear (last thing to finish developing in men)
30
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
what is hemispheric lateralisation

A

the concept that some brain functions are only found in one hemisphere rather than across both

31
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
what are the key functions in the left hemisphere according to hemispheric lateralisation

A
  • appears to focus on detail and is more active during tasks involving identifying small details
  • language (96% of right handers and 70% of left handers have left hemispheric dominance for language)
32
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
what are the key functions in the right hemisphere according to hemispheric lateralisation

A
  • processes overall patterns and is more active during tasks involving making sense of larger pieces of information
  • spatial relationships (proprioception - parietal lobe)
  • recognition of emotions (in others)
33
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
name the two language centres

A
  • Broca’s area
  • Wernicke’s area
34
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
describe where Broca’s area is located and what it is responsible for

A
  • located in the posterior of the left frontal lobe (back of the frontal lobe in the left hemisphere), situated next to the lower part of the motor cortex that controls the face and larynx
  • responsible for speech production
35
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
describe where Wernicke’s area is located and what it is responsible for

A
  • located in the superior posterior (upper back) of the temporal gyrus in the left hemisphere
  • responsible for understanding speech
36
Q

give evaluations for hemispheric lateralisation

A
  • methodological flaws with research (post-mortems for both Broca and Wernicke)
  • contradicting research (Szaflarski et al 2006 found areas in one hemisphere bleed into the other with age)
  • research support (Broca and Wernicke)
37
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
describe the case study relating to Broca’s area

A
  • Patient Tan (Leborgne) could understand spoken language but was unable to produce any words other than “Tan”
  • After Leborgne’s death, Paul Broca performed a post-mortem examination, finding a lesion in the left frontal lobe
  • This resulted in Broca concluding that this area was responsible for speech production
  • People who faced this same illness were then deemed to have Broca’s aphasia
38
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
describe the case study relating to Wernicke’s area

A
  • Similar to Broca, had patients who could speak completely fine, but were unable to understand spoken and written English (their first language)
  • After they died, he performed a post-mortem examination, finding a lesion in the superior posterior of the temporal gyrus in the left hemisphere
  • This resulted in Wernicke concluding that this area is responsible for understanding speech
  • People who faced the same illness were then deemed to have Wernicke’s aphasia
39
Q

hemispheric lateralisation:
what is the arcuate fasciculus

A
  • a neural loop connecting Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, allowing them to understand and generate speech.
  • damage to both Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas is called global aphasia
40
Q

split brain research:
describe what split brain patients are

A

patients who have had their corpus callosum severed due to experiencing severe epilepsy which is life threatening

41
Q

give evaluations of split brain research

A
  • poor generalisability (only 11 patients)
  • standardised procedures (reliability)
  • case study support (Karen Byrne experience alien hand syndrome where her right hemisphere revolted against her left (dominant) and acted without her awareness)
42
Q

plasticity and functional recovery:
define brain plasticity

A

our brains ability to mould and grow new areas in response to the experiences we have - acts maladaptively

43
Q

plasticity and functional recovery:
describe the 3 ways in which the brain creates new neural pathways and alter existing ones

A
  • synaptogenesis (the formation of synapses)
  • neurogenesis (creation of neurones - also known as axon sprouting)
  • synaptic pruning (new experiences cause more connections and strengthen common ones. others are eliminated due to taking up unnecessary energy)
44
Q

plasticity and functional recovery:
explain the difference between experience expectant plasticity and experience dependent plasticity

A
  • experience expectant plasticity suggests the brain only grows and develops during infancy, at which point it stops in childhood
  • experience dependent plasticity suggests the brain continues to grow and develop throughout your entire life
45
Q

plasticity and functional recovery:
what are the 3 ways the brain can experience functional recovery

A
  • neural regeneration
  • neuronal unmasking
  • neural reorganisation
46
Q

plasticity and functional recovery:
describe neural regeneration in regards to functional recovery

A
  • new nerve endings grow and connect with damaged areas
  • enables the recovery of previously fully functioning neurons
  • also known as axon sprouting
47
Q

plasticity and functional recovery:
describe neuronal unmasking in regards to functional recovery

A
  • occurs when ‘dormant synapses’ in the brain (existing automatically but unfunctional) are reconnected and become functional
  • also known as compensatory sprouting
48
Q

plasticity and functional recovery:
describe neural reorganisation in regards to functional recovery

A
  • occurs when the brain transfers functions from the damaged are to the undamaged sections of the brain
  • e.g. if Broca’s area in the left hemisphere was damaged then an area on the right might take over
49
Q

give evaluations for plasticity and functional recovery

A
  • research support (Danelli in 2013 investigated an Italian boy who had most of his left hemisphere removed ages 2.5 because of a tumour. his right hemisphere took over almost all functionality of the left hemisphere)
  • practical applications
  • over reliance on case studies
  • theoretical flaws (recovery is not universal - does not always take place and when it does, it doesn’t account for all lost functionality)
50
Q

biological rhythms:
name the 3 types of biological rhythms

A
  • infradian rhythms
  • ultradian rhythms
  • circadian rhythms
51
Q

biological rhythms:
describe what an infradian rhythm is and give an example

A
  • type of biological rhythm which lasts more than 24 hours
  • e.g. menstrual cycle (lasts on average 28 days)
52
Q

biological rhythms:
describe what an ultradian rhythm is and give an example

A
  • type of biological rhythm which lasts less than 24 hours
  • e.g. sleep cycle (lasts 8 hours)
53
Q

biological rhythms:
describe what a circadian rhythm is and give an example

A
  • type of biological rhythm which lasts approximately 24 hours
  • e.g. sleep-wake cycle; deepest sleep 2:00, minimal body temp 4:30, secretion of melatonin ceases 7:30, max body temp 19:00, melatonin production 21:00
54
Q

biological rhythms:
describe what an endogenous pacemaker is and what its role is

A
  • they control our bodies natural rhythms, particularly our circadian rhythms
  • their largest role is controlling the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm)
55
Q

biological rhythms:
describe what an exogenous zeitgeber is and what its role is

A
  • external influences that affect the suprachiasmatic nucleus
  • they are cues from the environment which help regulate timings for sleep
56
Q

biological rhythms:
describe how our sleep-wake cycle is controlled by endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers

A
  • internal body clock is found in the brain and is known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
  • this sits on top of where your optic nerves intersect
  • the SCN receives light through the optic nerves
  • when light levels drop (at night), the SCN detects this and sends an impulse to your pineal gland which then secretes melatonin, causing sleepiness due to reducing brain activity
    when light levels increase (day), the same process happens, but the pineal gland stops producing melatonin making your more awake
  • light is an exogenous zeitgeber
57
Q

give evaluations for endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers

A
  • research support (Siffre 1975 spent 179 days in a cave. his days lengthened to 25-30 hours. believed he was in there for 151 days. his body temp desynchronised)
  • theoretical flaws (individual differences)
  • practical applications (shift/jet lag)
58
Q

disrupting biological rhythms:
name the two types of disruption which can be posed onto your biological rhythms

A
  • jet lag
  • shift lag
59
Q

disrupting biological rhythms:
describe jet lag

A
  • the time it takes for our suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to entrain (re-synchronise) to a change in environment (time zone)
  • this is due to a difference in daylight hours affecting our sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm)
  • Winter et al calculated that it takes one day per one hour of time change
60
Q

disrupting biological rhythms:
what are the two types of adjustments our body clocks make when experiencing jet lag and give their definitions

A
  • phase delay (travelling east to west extends the day)
  • phase advance (travelling west to east chortens the day)
61
Q

disrupting biological rhythms:
describe shift lag

A
  • caused by rotating shifts (particularly the night shift)
  • being awake on a night shift, when you would normally be asleep, causes your natural rhythms to become de-synchronised with the majority of external exogenous zeitgebers
  • Knutsson et al 1986 found people who worked shifts were 3 times more likely to develop heart disease than non-shift workers. as well as struggling to sleep during the day

AQA A-Level Psychology (8 decks)

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