Biopsychology

Question 1

Explain why neurons can only travel in one direction? (3 marks)

Answer 1

• the synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present in the pre-synaptic membrane
• receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present in the post-synaptic membrane
• it is the binding of the neurotransmitter to the receptor which enables the signal/information to be passed on
• diffusion of neurotransmitters, high conc to low conc so can only travel from pre to post membrane

Question 2

Outline the role of adrenaline in fight or flight? (4 marks)

Answer 2

• released from adrenal medulla
• direct effects = increased heart rate, constricts blood vessels which increases blood flow, increases respiration and sweating
• general affects = prepares body for action, increases oxygen to brain for rapid responses

Question 3

What is the peripheral nervous system made up of?

Answer 3

• somatic nervous system (sensory and motor neurons), voluntary, controls skeletal movement
• autonomic nervous system (internal organs), involuntary, controls fight or flight

Question 4

Studies supporting localisation of function

Answer 4

• HM, hippocampus removed and he was unable to lay down new memories, suggests certain aspects of memory are localised in the hippocampus
• Sperry split brain research: left visual field shown a particular colour and pps couldn’t say the right answer as right hemisphere couldn’t communicate with left - suggests language is localised in left hem
• Peterson: pps were asked to carry out language tasks whilst in a PET scan, diff parts of the cortex were activated depending on the task
• Lashley investigated effects on learning produced by destroying cortical tissue in rats, found that certain functions aren’t related to the area but the amount of cortical tissue