Biopsychology

Question 1

Name one non-invasive method of studying the brain.

Answer 1

Post Mortem

Question 2

What is Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

Answer 2

An fMRI or MRI is a method of studying the brain where photographs are taken at different levels of the brain and areas with high oxygen levels are prominent. This allows us to see which area of the brain are more active during specific tasks.

Question 3

What is the difference between EEG and ERP scans?

Answer 3

Both scans are very similar however, an event-related potential (ERP) is used to identify cognitive abnormalities in patients with dementia, Parkinson’s disease and OCD, as well as head injury and stroke patients who may not be able to tell doctors how they are feeling.
An EEG shows a constant recording for patients who suffer from seizures, however a seizure is needed to take place in order to record what part of the brain is causing this response.

Question 4

Name a case study which includes using a Post Mortem study.

Answer 4

The case study on H.M. revealed he had a lesion in the Hippocampus and this is why he could not store new memories

Question 5

What is an example of fMRI?

Answer 5

A patient may be asked to perform specific tasks for a period of time and then asked to stop. This allows researchers to see which areas of the brain are active during performance.

Question 6

Name 4 strengths of fMRI

Answer 6

1. Non-invasive
2. Does not expose the brain to harmful radiation
3. objective and reliable
4. allows psychologists to study things that cannot be measured in verbal reports from participants

Question 7

Name 2 limitations of fMRI

Answer 7

1. ignores communication between different parts of the brain
2. doesn’t measure neural activity - only blood flow

Question 8

Name the two parts of the nervous system

Answer 8

central and peripheral

Question 9

what does the central nervous system include?

Answer 9

brain and spinal cord

Question 10

what does the peripheral nervous system include?

Answer 10

somatic NS and autonomic NS

autonomic NS: 
sympathetic NS (fight response)
parasympathetic NS (flight response)

Question 11

what is the fight or flight response?

Answer 11

Body’s response to stress

FINISH

Question 12

what is the role of adrenaline?

Answer 12

FINISH

Question 13

what is the function of the endocrine system?

Answer 13

FINISH

Question 14

describe the process of synaptic transmission

Answer 14

FINISH