Biopsychology P2 Flashcards
Explain the process of Synaptic Transmission
An electrical signal travels down the axon and prompts neurotransmitters to be released. Vesicles carrying the molecules move towards and fuse before being released into the synaptic cleft. The molecules jump across the synaptic gap then attach to receptor sites on the other side. This reduces the chance of action potential in the second neuron and the molecules are recycled before the electrical signal travels down the axon terminal.
Lotta’s grandmother suffered a stroke to the left hemisphere, damaging Broca’s
area and the motor cortex.
Using your knowledge of the functions of Broca’s area and the motor cortex,
describe the problems that Lotta’s grandmother is likely to experience.
Competing physical actions involving muscular movements is likely to be difficult because the motor neurons that control these processes are malfunctioning and the signals won’t accurately reach the required places.
Broca’s area is responsible for speech production and this subsequent damage might make speaking to people very hard for Lotta’s grandmother and causes slurred or impaired speech.
A researcher wants to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the
recovery of stroke patients with brain damage. Carers of stroke patients will be sent questionnaires to produce quantitative data.
Explain one disadvantage of obtaining quantitative data in this study.
Quantitative data is objective and lacking in detail when this is required for understanding people’s individual circumstances or experiences. If we want to understand how these people’s lives have improved during recovery we need their testimonies and experience, numbers and statistics might provide results that look good but they aren’t useful for a person’s subjective results.
Identify two components of the Central Nervous System.
- The Brain
- The Spinal Cord
Outline the role of the Central Nervous System.
This is the main communicator of neurons and signals within the body. Other systems branch off this one as signals are sent to them for whatever the body is reacting to (autonomic, somatic)
The CNS is the central co-ordinator that the other systems are based around, acting as the epicentre of the body’s processes and functions.
Outline the role of the Somatic Nervous System.
The Somatic Nervous System controls voluntary muscular and skeletal movements involved with movement and environmental navigation.
Comprised of the essential neurons such as motor, relay and sensory which send the necessary signals around the body which tell it what to do.
What is the role of adrenaline in the flight or fight response?
Cortisol is released into the bloodstream by the adrenal glands. It is an excitatory stress hormone that enables faster decision making and will dictate whether we decide to stay and fight the potential danger or run away.
The exciting nature of the neurotransmitter will make decisions harder and based off survival and emotion rather than rationality and logic.
Explain the role of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters cause the brain to calm down, reducing stress and allowing for more logical, rational decision making to take place.
Excitatory neurotransmitters cause fast, rapid thoughts and decisions become quicker but often less well-made. The brain literally becomes excited and neurons fire significantly faster when these transmitters are being released.
Give an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Serotonin:
It calms the brain and reduces stress levels, essentially relaxing the person.
How are other bodily processes affected by the release of excitatory neurotransmitters?
- Increased blood flow
- Slowed digestion
- Pupil dilation
- Increased stress levels
How are other bodily processes affected by the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters?
- Decreased blood flow
- Reduced stress
- Digestion is sped up
- Pupil constriction
What is the function of Broca’s Area?
It controls speech production and the ability to formulate words and language. Damage to this area of the brain may cause the inability to speak properly, causing slurred or impaired speech.
What is the function of Wernicke’s Area?
This allows us to understand and interpret speech. We may misinterpret what people are saying and misconstreu their intentions.
Define Localisation of Function.
Literally the location that certain functions and processes occur within the brain.
Define the role of the Somatosensory area of the brain.
This deals with our physical senses such as sight, smell and touch. Involved with proprioception with receptors on the skin and sense organs detecting changes in the environment which prompt our body to act accordingly.
