Biopsychology Flashcards
1
Q
What is Localisation of function
A
Different part of the brain performs a different function
2
Q
Localised
A
When a Specific parts of the brain controls a particular function
3
Q
Example of localised
A
Body movement
4
Q
What is localised in the left hemisphere
A
Language skills such as speaking, reading and understanding words
5
Q
What is localised in the right hemisphere
A
Spatial skills such as navigating and understanding instructions
6
Q
Hemispheric lateralisation
A
The idea that in the brain two hemispheres perform two different functions
7
Q
Lateral
A
Side
8
Q
Areas of the brain that are localised
A
Visual centres Auditory centres Motor cortex Somatosensory cortex Language centres Language area
9
Q
Lateralisation
A
Some functions are dominated by one hemisphere
10
Q
What is the outer layer is the brain
A
Cerebral cortex
11
Q
Where is the visual centres located
A
The visual cortex in the occipital lobe
12
Q
What is the function of auditory centres
A
Concerned with hearing
13
Q
What is the function of the motor cortex
A
The motor cortex is involved in the planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements.
14
Q
What is the function language centres Broca’s area
A
Speech production
15
Q
What is the function f language centres wenicke’s
A
Understanding language
16
Q
Plasticity
A
Brains tendency to change and adapt ( functionally and physically) as a result of experience and new leaning
17
Q
Functional recovery
A
A form of plasticity, the brains ability to redistribute or transfer functions: following drama and trauma
18
Q
Synaptic system
A
As we age, rarely used connections are deleted and are frequently used connections are strengthened
19
Q
Axonal sprouting
A
Where the brain creates new connections and synapses within the brain to accommodate for this new learning
20
Q
Recruitment of homologous areas
A
Regions on opposite sides of the brain take on functions of damaged areas
21
Q
What did Maguire et al find in a study of taxi drivers
A
Found that one the posterior hippocampal volume of London taxi drivers brains was positively correlated with their time as a taxi drivers brain and those of controls. This shows the brain can permanently change in response to frequent exposure to particular task
22
Q
How plastic is the brain
A
Research has consistently shown that the brain can adapt very quickly to new situations
23
Q
Neuronal unmasking
A
Where “dominant” synapses open connections to compensate for nearby damaged area of the brain
24
Q
How does the plascity of our brain change with age
A
Functional plascity tends to reduce with age.
25
Pruning
Where connections are lost due to lack of use
26
Bridging
Where new connections are created due to use and new stimulus
27
What type of activities could improve the neutoplascity of the brain
Video games and meditation
28
Kuhn
Got participants to play super mario for at least 30 minutes per day for over month period. They then compared their brain development to a control group who were not playing video games over the two month period
29
Cerebellum
Is involved in co ordination and movement
30
what two ways help the brain adapt with new learning and experience
It does this by two ways
Axonal sprouting
Synoptic pruning
31
Synaptic pruning
Is a process where the brain gets rid of old connections that we no longer use between the connections that are left
32
What exactly happened functional recovery after trauma
The brain is able to rewire and reorganise itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the area that is damaged
33
How does the brain change during childhood
The brain is constantly adapting to new experiences and learning during childhood
34
where do seizure come from
right hemisphere
35
corpus callosum
a bundle of nerve axons which connect the two hemispheres enabling them to communicate between with each other.
36
what are both hemispheres involved in the brain
vision hearing smelling movement touch and taste
37
contralateral
some functions of the brain control the opposite side of the body.
38
contra
side
39
what are organised contralaterally
movement vison and touch
40
what are not organised contralaterally
smell taste and hearing
41
what does it mean if functions are organised contralaterally
the right hemisphere controls the left side of the brain and the left hemisphere controls the right side of the brain.
42
how to the two hemispheres communicate with each other
by sending nerve impulses to each other via synapses
43
Explain what is meant by contralateral brain organisation.
Contralateral brain organisation means that the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body.
44
what two regions of the brain are involved in the flight or fight respose
Hypothalamus, pituitary gland.
45
if the corpus callosum is cut, what effect will this have on the two hemispheres
the two will no longer be able to communicate with each other
46
what are patients called when they have under gone corpus collosum surgery
split brain patients
47
what is research that investigates split-patients
split brain research
48
what do some patients with seizers have taken out of her brain
corpus callosum
49
how do researchers conduct split brain research
1) present stimulus
| 2) ask patient to respond to stimulus
50
present stimulus
picture or object
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where is the stimulus presented
either to the left hemisphere or the right hemisphere
52
where does the stimulus need to be placed, in order to be processed by the left hemisphere
on the patient's right side
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how should the stimulus be presented to the patient
to just one hemisphere at a time
54
what is the consequence of function not being hemispherically lateralised
the patients should be able to regardless if whether the stimulus is presented to the right or left hemisphere
55
What is the most common cause of aphasia?
Aphasia is caused by damage to one or more of the language areas of the brain.
56
Motor Area
Control of voluntary area
57
Sensory area
Skin sensations (temperature, pressure and pain)
58
Frontal lobe
Movement
Problem solving
Concentrating thinking
Behaviour personality mood
59
Broca’s aphasia
Struggle to speak and form sentences
60
Broca’s area
Speech control
61
Temporal lobe
Hearing memory and language
62
Parietal lobe
```
Sensations
language
Perception
Body awareness
Attention
```
63
Occipital lobe
Vision
| Perception
64
Wernicke’s area
Language comprehension
65
Wernicke’s aphasia
Struggle to understand conversation
66
Cerebellum
Posture
| Balance coordination of movement
67
Brainstem
Consciousness
Breathing
Heart rate
68
Commissurotomy
Is the the division of two hemispheres by surgery, which has occasionally been done to improve epilepsy
69
Where does the left hemisphere receive information from the visual field
Receives information from the right visual field
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Where does the right hemisphere receive information from the visual field
Receives information from the Left visual field
71
Visual
Everything you see one side of your nose
72
How many participants were involved in sperry’s experiment
11 patients
73
what does FMRI stand for
functional magnetic resonance imaging
74
what is FMRI
is a brain-scanning technique that measure blood flow in the brain when a person performs a task. it measures the change
in the energy released by haemoglobin, reflecting activity of the brain to give a moving picture of the brain; activity in regions of interest can be
compared during a base line task and during a specific activity
75
what does energy require? (FMRI)
energy requires glucose and oxygen.
76
where is oxygen carried? (FMRI)
oxygen is carried in the bloodstream attached to haemoglobin (found in red cells) and is released for use by these active neurons at which point the haemoglobin becomes deoxygenated.
77
haemoglobin
found in red blood cells
78
what can an FMRI detect?
deoxygenated haemoglobin has a different magnetic quality from oxygenated haemoglobin. FMRI can detect these different types of magnetic qualities. and be used to create a dynamic 3D map of the brain.
79
how long do FMRI show activity
1-4 seconds
80
what happens when the brain becomes more active
an increase in blood flow is the response for the need for more oxygen in the brain.
81
non-invasive
an advantage of FMRI is that it is non invasive. FMRI does not use radiation or involve inserting instruments directly into the brain. this results in more patients undertaking FMRI scans this helps to gather more data on the functioning in the brain and develop our understanding of localisation of function
82
spatial revolution
fMRI scans have good spatial resolution. Spatial resolution refers to the smallest feature (or measurement) that a scanner can detect, and is an important feature of brain scanning techniques. Greater spatial resolution allows psychologists to discriminate between different brain regions with greater accuracy. fMRI scans have a spatial resolution of approximately 1-2 mm which is significantly greater than the other techniques (EEG, ERP, etc.)
83
Temporal Resolution
fMRI scans have poor temporal resolution. Temporal resolution refers to the accuracy of the scanner in relation of time: or how quickly the scanner can detect changes in brain activity. fMRI scans have a temporal resolution of 1-4 seconds which is worse than other techniques (e.g. EEG/ERP which have a temporal resolution of 1-10 milliseconds). Consequently, psychologists are unable to predict with a high degree of accuracy the onset of brain activity.
84
similarity between ERP and EEG
ERP Similar equipment to EEG electrodes attached to the scalp
85
differences between ERP and EEG
EEG is a recording of general brain activity usually linked to states such as sleep and arousal, whilst ERP's are elicited by specific stimuli presented to the participant.
86
what is EEG?
electrodes are put on the scalp and detect neuronal activity directly below where
they are placed; differing numbers of electrodes can be used depending on focus of the
research
87
how do EEG measure electrical activity?
through electrodes attached to the scalp. small electrical charges that are detected are graphed over a period of time, indicating the level of activity in the brain.
88
what are the four types of EEG patterns
alpha waves, beta waves, theta waves and delta waves
89
what are EEG pattern two basic properties that psychologists can examine
amplitude the intensity or size of the activity
| frequency the speed or quantity of activity.
90
what two distinctive states do EEG patterns produce
synchronised and desynchronised
91
synchronised patterns
is where a recognised waveform (alpha beta, delta and theta) can be detected. found during sleep
92
desynchronised patterns
where no pattern can be detected. found when awake
93
what can EEG be used to detect
illness like epilepsy and sleep disorders and to diagnose other activities that affect brain activity like Alzheimer.
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what does ERP stand for
event related potentials
95
what does EEG stand for
electroencephalogram
96
what is ERP?
electrodes are put on the scalp and detect neuronal activity (directly below where
they are placed) in response to a stimulus introduced by the researcher
97
strength of Sperry's experiment
ethic: as the study used quasi methodology , Sperry did not need to manipulative anything, which is more ethical than studies which manipulative variables
98
limitations of Sperry's
the external validity in this study may be considered low because the stimuli was selectively delivered to one hemisphere. this does not happen in real life thus means that it is not repetitive of everyday experience of "spilt-brain" patients
as there is manipulation by the experimenter, establishing cause and effect becomes more difficult than a traditional experiment.
99
why would the corpus callosum be severed
to reduce symtoms of epilepsy. in epilepsy, one hemisphere of the brain is responsible. when an epileptic episode occurs, there is an electrical storm in one hemisphere of the brain which then travels across the corpus callosum causing the entire brain to be affected then a black out occurs. by severing the corpus callosum cannot occur thus causing an epileptic fit cease
100
what was the aim of Sperry's experiment
the aim to show the independent streams of consciousness awareness possessed by each hemisphere and to show how each hemisphere has its own memories
101
Temporal resolution
FMRI images show approximately 1-4 seconds after it occurred
102
Spatial resolution
FMRI images thoughts to be accurate within 1-2mm
103
What are alpha waves associated with
With light sleep
104
What are theta/delta waves
Associated with deeper sleep
105
Post mortem examination
Researchers study the physical brain of a person who has displayed a particular behaviour while they were alive
106
Examples of post mortem examination
Broca’s and wernickes
107
Iverson
Examined the brain of decreased schizophrenic patients. He found a higher concentration of dopamine, especially in the limbic system compared to non-schizophrenics
108
Spatial resolution
Refers to the smelliest feature that a scanner can detect and is an important feature of if the brain scanning techniques
109
Evaluation spatial resolution
FMRI=1-2mm(green)
EEG/ERP= superficial/general regions only (red)
110
Temporal resolution
Refers to the accuracy of the scanner in relation to time or how quickly the scanner can detect changes in brain activity
111
Evaluation of temporal resolution
FMRI= 1-4 seconds (red)
EEG/ERP=1-10ms
112
Cicardian Rhythm
Biological rhythms that occur over a 24 hour cycle. Regulates a number of bodily processes such as sleep/wake cycle and core body temperature
113
Biological rhythm
Patterns of changes in the body activity over cyclical periods. Influenced by internal body clocks or external changes to the environment
114
Ultradian rhythm
Biological rhythms that occur more than one cycle in 24 hours
115
Infradian rhythm
Biological rhythms that occur less than one cycle in 24 hours
116
Endogenous pacemakers
Internal body clocks that regulates biological rhythms
117
Exogenous zeitgebers
External cues influence over biological rhythms
118
what is post-mortem scan
brain is examined after death to try and correlate structural
abnormalities/damage to behaviour.
119
evaluation of EEG and ERP's
EEGs and ERPs are cheaper so can be more widely used in research but EEGs and ERPs have poor spatial resolution
120
evaluation of FMRI
fMRI captures dynamic brain activity as opposed to post-mortem examinations which purely show physiology but fMRI research is expensive leading to reduced sample sizes which negatively impact the
validity of the research
121
evaluation of post-mortem
post-mortem examinations may lack validity due to small sample sizes (as special permission needs to be granted) and also due to neuronal changes during and after death
/post-mortem examinations which
purely show physiology
122
Spatial resolution
refers to the smallest feature (or measurement) that a scanner can detect, and is an important feature of brain scanning techniques.
123
evaluate the use of EEGs as a way of identifying cortical specialisation in the brain.
safe way of measuring brain activity; there is no
surgery or invasive process;
helps to identify activity in various regions of brain; its use as a diagnostic tool eg epilepsy;
lacks precision in measuring individual action potential of neurons / electrodes not sensitive enough
124
a patient has suffered a stroke to the left hemisphere, damaging Boca’s area. Using your knowledge of the functions of Boca’s area describe the problems that the patient is likely to experience.
as a consequence of damage to Boca’s area the patient is likely to suffer from language/speech problems (Boca’s aphasia). This means that it will affect her language production (but not her understanding)
125
a patient has suffered a stroke to the left hemisphere, damaging motor cortex . Using your knowledge of the functions motor cortex describe the problems that the patient is likely to experience.
as a consequence of damage to the motor cortex, the patient is likely to suffer from loss of muscle function/paralysis motor impairments on the right side of the body
126
The human female menstrual cycle is an example of one type of biological rhythm; it is called a:
infradian rhythm
127
the motor cortex
is the region of the cerebral cortex involved in the planning, control and execution of voluntary movements.
128
INFRADIAN RHYTHMS
Infradian rhythms last longer than 24 hours and can be weekly, monthly or annually.
129
What examples of infradian rhythms
Female menstrual cycle, Seasonal affective disorder and Hibernation (in animals)
130
female menstrual cycle (infradian rhythms)
Monthly infradian rhythm, Regulated by hormones, Ovulation occurs (roughly) halfway through cycle, when oestrogen levels are highest. Usually lasts for 16-32 hours. After ovulation, progesterone levels increase, ready for possible embryo
131
how long is a typical menstrual cycle
approx. 28 days; however, there is considerable variation, 23 days to 36 days.
132
what is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
is an infradian rhythm, related to the seasons (yearly cycle).
133
what is Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone that is produced by the pineal gland (located in your brain). It helps control your sleep cycle.
134
what can block melatonin production
Being exposed to light at night can block melatonin production.
135
longer nights
increased melatonin
136
Reinberg(1967)
examined a woman who spent three months in a cave with only a small lamp to provide light. Reinberg noted that her menstrual cycle shortened from the usual 28 days to 25.7 days.
137
what does Reinberg(1967) study suggest
this result suggests that the lack of light (an exogenous zeitgeber) in the cave affected her menstrual cycle, and therefore demonstrates the effect of external factors on infradian rhythms.
138
Russell et al. (1980)
found that female menstrual cycles became synchronised with other females through odour exposure. In one study, sweat samples from one group of women were rubbed onto the upper lip of another group. Despite the fact that the two groups were separate, their menstrual cycles synchronised.
139
what does Russell et al. (1980) study suggest about menstrual cycles syncing
This suggests that the synchronisation of menstrual cycles can be affected by pheromones (exogenous zeitgeber), which have an effect on people nearby rather than on the person producing them.
140
ULTRADIAN RHYTHMS
Ultradian rhythms last fewer than 24 hours.
141
What examples of ultradian rhythms
Human sleep patterns and Meal patterns
142
human sleep pattern stage 1
light sleep muscle activity slows down occasional muscle twitching
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human sleep pattern stage 2
breathing patterns and heart rate slows
144
human sleep pattern stage 3
deep sleep begins brain begins to generate slow delta waves
145
human sleep pattern stage 4
very deep sleep rhythmic breathing brain produces delta waves
146
human sleep pattern stage 5
paid eye movement brain waves speedup and dreaming occurs breathing is rapid and shallow
147
Human meal patterns
Another ultradian rhythm is appetite or meal patterns in humans. Most humans eat three meals a day and appetite rises and falls because of food consumption.
148
ULTRADIAN RHYTHMS – AO3
Randy Gardener remained awake for 264 hours.
After this experience, Randy slept for just 15 hours and over several nights he recovered only 25% of his lost sleep. Interestingly, he recovered 70% of Stage 4 sleep, 50% of his REM sleep, and very little of the other stages.
149
what does ultradian rhythm A03 suggest
These results highlight the large degree of flexibility in terms of the different stages within the sleep cycle and the variable nature of this ultradian rhythm.
150
limitation of ULTRADIAN RHYTHMS – AO3
This demonstrates that there may be innate differences in ultradian rhythms, which means that it is worth focusing on these differences during investigations into sleep cycles.
151
Sperry found that the patient could point to a matching stimulus regardless of which hemisphere the initial stimulus was presented too. what can he conclude from this
the ability to identify the image was not hemispherically lateralised
152
method for split brain research
patients are shown a stimulus, then asked to point at the stimulus that matches the one that they were shown.
patients are shown a stimulus then asked to verbally describe it.
the researcher presents a stimulus to the patients right or left hemisphere
153
In Sperry’s original study, he showed split-brain patients a stimulus, to either their right or left hemisphere. He then later asked patients to point to that same stimulus, when showed a choice of four different ones. Patients could point to the correct image. Explain why this happened.
The ability to visually process and identify the image isn’t hemispherically lateralised. Therefore regardless of which hemisphere the information was presented, the participant had still processed the information and was able to point to the correct stimulus from the choice of four.
154
What results were found when participants had to respond verbally to a stimulus presented on the right hand side?
The participants were able to say what the stimulus was, because the information was being processed in their left hemisphere
155
What results were found when participants had to respond verbally to stimulus presented on the left hand side?
As vision is controlled contralaterally, visual information presented to the right hand side is processed in the left hemisphere, and therefore even split brain patients are able to say what they have seen. However if the information goes to the left hand side, it is processed in the right hemisphere, which does not contain language ability. Therefore people with a split brain are unable to say what the stimulus was because their language hemisphere (left) is unaware of what has been seen.
156
When participants were asked to respond verbally to a stimulus, their response depended on which side the information was presented to. Explain why these results occurred in Sperry’s subsequent study.
The ability to say what was processed by the left hemisphere occured because language is hemispherically lateralised to the left hemisphere. If a stimulus is presented to the right hemisphere, a split brain patient is unable to identify or describe it, because language is not processed in the right hemisphere.
157
Sperry's split brain research
Sperry presented images to either the patients left or right hemisphere. Sperry found that if patients could point to one of four images to identify which matched the image, they could perform the task whether the images was presented to their right or left hemisphere. but if the patients were verbally describe the image, they could only perform this task if the image was presented to their left hemisphere. Sperry concluded that language is hemispherically lateralised to the left hemisphere
158
limitations of split brain research?
rare procedure, research involves a small number of participants lack generalisability
not all findings of hemispherical lateralisation have been replicated more recent studies have found that that language is not hemispherically lateralised to the left hemisphere
because patients have brain abnormalities, this may act as a confounding variable
159
cortex
outer surface of the brain
160
somatosensory cortex
prosses feeling and touch
161
motor cortex
controls body movement
162
how does the auditory cortex receive sound
the auditory cortex processes sound by receiving nerve impulses from sensory neurons that talk to sensory receptors in the brain
163
what is the auditory cortex
the part of the brain that processes sound
164
visual cortex
process visual information
