Biopsychology: Big Example Flashcards
The human Brian
Made up of many parts
Functions - speech perception/ production, colour processing, face recognition
Each Brian is unique
At its centre lies a cluster of modules known as limbic system
Powerhouse of Brian - appetites, urges , emotions
Our conscious thoughts merely moderate these biological forces that emerge from unconscious
If thought conflict with emotion - emotion will win
Changing moods generated by chemicals that turn these modules on and off
It’s activities are controlled by currents and chemicals
It’s components are interdependent & interactive
It’s a dynamic system of systems - that does millions of things parallel
Human Brian Examples
Experience necessary to develop face recognition- early deprivation of vial input to right hemisphere impaired development of expert processing
Korsakoff syndrome, severe memory loss B1 deficiency, but the damage is accelerated by alcohol
Focal hand Dystonia
Conditions is a result of extensive reorganisation of the sensory thalamus & cortex so that touch responses to one finger overlap those of another
PKU
Through single gene mutation suffers lack of conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine therefore dopamine levels are low , PKu only develops with genetic and environmental reaction
Acetylcholine
Controls activities in the Brian areas connected with attention, learning and memory. People with Alzhemiers disease typically have low levels in the cerebral cortex, and drugs boost its actions may improve memory in such patients
Dopamine
Controls arousal levels in many parts of the brain and it’s vital for giving physical motivation. When levels are depleted as in Parkinson’s disease, people may find it impossible to move forward voluntarily. Low dopamine may also be implicated in mental statsis. Overly high levels to be implicated in schizophrenia and maybe hallucinations
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter that is enhanced by Prozac and has become the feel good chemical. Serotonin certainly has a profound effect on mood and aniexty- high levels are associated with serenity and optimism. Low levels to depression OCD and suicide
Norepinephrine
Mainly an excitatory chemical that induces physical and mental arousal and heightens mood. Production is centred in an area of the brain called the locus coeruleus , suggested to be the Brian pleasure centre- linked to stress
Endorphins
Endogenous opioids that, like the drugs , modulate pain, reduce stress and promote a sensation of calm. Also depress physical function like breathing
Glutamate
The brains major excitatory neurotransmitter , vital for forging the links between neurons that are the basis of leaning and long term memory, linked to motor neurone disease
Human Brian Examples
Experience necessary to develop face recognition- early deprivation of vial input to right hemisphere impaired development of expert processing
Korsakoff syndrome, severe memory loss B1 deficiency, but the damage is accelerated by alcohol
Focal hand Dystonia
Conditions is a result of extensive reorganisation of the sensory thalamus & cortex so that touch responses to one finger overlap those of another
PKU
Through single gene mutation suffers lack of conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine therefore dopamine levels are low , PKu only develops with genetic and environmental reaction
Human Brian Pt2
It’s activities are controlled by currents and chemicals
It’s components are interdependent & interactive
It’s a dynamic system of systems - that does millions of things parallel
Acetylcholine
Controls activities in the Brian areas connected with attention, learning and memory. People with Alzhemiers disease typically have low levels in the cerebral cortex, and drugs boost its actions may improve memory in such patients
Dopamine
Controls arousal levels in many parts of the brain and it’s vital for giving physical motivation. When levels are depleted as in Parkinson’s disease, people may find it impossible to move forward voluntarily. Low dopamine may also be implicated in mental statsis. Overly high levels to be implicated in schizophrenia and maybe hallucinations
Serotonin
Neurotransmitter that is enhanced by Prozac and has become the feel good chemical. Serotonin certainly has a profound effect on mood and aniexty- high levels are associated with serenity and optimism. Low levels to depression OCD and suicide
Norepinephrine
Mainly an excitatory chemical that induces physical and mental arousal and heightens mood. Production is centred in an area of the brain called the locus coeruleus , suggested to be the Brian pleasure centre- linked to stress
Endorphins
Endogenous opioids that, like the drugs , modulate pain, reduce stress and promote a sensation of calm. Also depress physical function like breathing
Glutamate
The brains major excitatory neurotransmitter , vital for forging the links between neurons that are the basis of leaning and long term memory, linked to motor neurone disease
Examples Part 2
Sensory systems are characterised by multiple specialised areas, at Multiple levels all interconnected by Multiple parallel pathways
Each area of the Visual system is specialised for perceiving specific aspects of Visual scenes - shape , colour and movement
A Marriage of two minds
Hemispheres of the Brian are physical mirror images of each other
Bound by corpus callosum
When separated differences are apparent
Example Memory
Two hemispheres engage different types of memory processing
LH attempts to place it’s experience in larger context
RH attends strictly to the gestalt perceptual characterise of stimulus
Example: Language
Language is the most lateralised f all abilities left hemisphere is better than right at language related skills
However the right hemisphere is able to understand single written and spoken words
Right hemisphere better at tasks involving spatial ability, emotional stimuli and musical tasks
