Biopsychology

Question 1

Describe the process of synaptic transmission?

Answer 1

• Electrical impulses (action potentials) reach the presynaptic terminal
• Electrical impulses trigger release of neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitters cross the synapse from vesicles
• Neurotransmitters confine with receptor on the postsynaptic membrane
• Stimulation of postsynaptic receptors by neurotransmitters result in either excitatory or inhibition of the postsynaptic membrane

Question 2

Describe the divisions of the nervous system

Answer 2

• CNS
• PNS breaks into..
  Somatic and Autonomic
  Autonomic breaks into..
• Sympathetic
  -Parasympathetic

Question 3

What are the three types of neuron?

Answer 3

Sensory, Reflex and motor

Question 4

What are excitatory neurotransmitters and whats an example?

Answer 4

Makes a neuron more likely to fire eg acetylcholine and noradrenaline are the nervous systems ‘on switches’

Question 5

What are inhibitory neurotransmitters and whats an example?

Answer 5

Decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing eg serotonin and GABA are the nervous systems ‘off switches’ often calm the body down

Question 6

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 6

A network of glands throughout the body that manufacture and secrete chemical messengers known as hormones

Question 7

What are hormones?

Answer 7

The bodys chemical messengers that travel in the bloodstream, influencing many different bodily processes eg mood

Question 8

What do the hormones do?

Answer 8

Regulate the activity of cells or organs in the body

Question 9

What are the major glands in the endocrine system?

Answer 9

• Pituitary gland
• Adrenal gland
  -Reproductives organs

Question 10

What is the role of the hypothalamus in regards to the pituitary gland?

Answer 10

It sends a signal to the pituitary gland in the form of a releasing hormone, this causes the pituitary gland to secrete a ‘stimulating hormone’ into the bloodstream. The hormone then signals the target gland

Question 11

Why do target cells only respond to particular hormones?

Answer 11

They have receptors for that hormone

Question 12

What are the two main parts of the pituitary gland?

Answer 12

The anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary

Question 13

What hormones does the anterior pituitary release?

Answer 13

ACTH- as a response to stress
LH and FSH- stimulates ovaries and testes

Question 14

What hormone does the posterior pituitary release?

Answer 14

Oxytocin- stimulates contractions of the uterus during birth and is important for mother and infant bonding

Question 15

What does the adrenal gland divide into?

Answer 15

The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla

Question 16

What hormones does the adrenal cortex produce?

Answer 16

• Cortisol, regulates a variety of bodily functions eg cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory functions : low cortisol levels can lead to low blood pressure, poor immune system and the inability to function with stress
  -Aldosterone, maintains blood volume + pressure

Question 17

What hormones does the adrenal medulla release?

Answer 17

• Adrenaline and noradrenaline, prepare the body for fight or flight : adrenaline helps body respond to stressful situations, noradrenaline constricts blood vessels, causing blood pressure to increase

Question 18

When does fight or flight occur?

Answer 18

In a stressful situation, it acts as a survival mechanism: increasing heart rate, breathing rate etc

Question 19

What is the amygdala’s role in fight or flight?

Answer 19

Sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus (functioning like a command in the brain which communicates to the rest of the body).

Question 20

How does fight or flight prepare the body for acute stressors?

Answer 20

The sympathetic nervous system is triggered and begins to prepare the body for the rapid action necessary for fight or flight. The SNS sends a signal through the adrenal medulla which then releases adrenaline. The parasympathetic branch then dampens down the stressor when the threat has passed.

Question 21

How does the body respond to chronic stressors?

Answer 21

The HPA axis- the hypothalamus (H) releases CHR into the bloodstream as a response to the stressor, CHR causes the pituitary gland (P) to produce and release ACTH which is transported in the bloodstream to its target site –> the adrenal glands (A) where ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release various stress related hormones eg cortisol

Question 22

who came up with the tend and befriend response?

Answer 22

Taylor et al (2000)

Question 23

What does the tend and befriend response suggest?

Answer 23

Females behavioural responses to stress involve them protecting themselves and their young through nurturing behaviours + forming alliances - women have a higher level of oxytocin

Question 24

What did Lee and Harley find?

Answer 24

Found evidence of a genetic basis for gender differences in fight or flight- the SRY gene found exclusively on the male Y chromosome directs males towards aggression - fight or flight release this. Women do not have this gene so therefore do not react the same way.

Question 25

What is the freeze response?

Answer 25

Suggested by Gary (1988): the first phase of reaction to threat is to avoid confrontation. Freeze response is about stopping and listening to make the best response to the threat