Exam questions

Question 1

Discuss 2 effects of the environment on physiological processes

Answer 1

Marco Iacoboni (2004)
- mirror neurons

Rosenzweig and Bennett (1972)
- development of neurons in the cerebral cortex

Question 2

Using one or more examples, explain the effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour

Answer 2

Kasamatsu and Hirai (1999)
- Serotonin in monks

Martinez and Kesner (1991)
- Acetylcholine in rats

Question 3

Explain one study related to localization of function in the brain

Answer 3

Phineas Gage (1848)
- How brain damage can result in a change of behaviour

Question 4

Kasamatsu and Hirai (1999)

Answer 4

Aim:

• To see how sensory deprivation affects the brain
• To see how serotonin affects behaviour

Methods:

• Studied a group of Buddhist monks who went on a 72 hour pilgrimage to a holy mountain in Japan
• Monks did not consume water or food; did not speak, and were also exposed to cold weather
• Researchers took a blood sample before monks ascended into the mountain and immediately after they reported having hallucinations

Results:

• After 48 hours, monks began to have hallucinations, seeing ancient ancestors feeling their presence by their side
• serotonin levels had increased in the monks’ brains thus the higher levels of serotonin activated the hypothalamus and frontal cortex resulting in the hallucinations

Conclusion:
- Sensory deprivation triggered the release of serotonin which altered the way that the monks experienced the world, a behaviour expressed by humans.

Connection of study to question:
- The study shows that the neurotransmitter serotonin affects human behaviour of increased arousal, causing hallucinations, therefore affecting human behaviour in terms of arousal and emotions

Question 5

Serotonin

Answer 5

• Neurotransmitter commonly associated with depression and aggression
• controls bodily processes such as sleep, libido and body temperature
• protects us from negative emotions such as anxiety and depression
• stimulates neurotransmission in the post-synaptic neuron, increasing arousal, emotion and is also implicated in depression
• secreted into the human body by the pineal glands
• low levels of serotonin due to efficient re-uptake in the pre-synaptic neuron leads to low levels of arousal and lack of positive emotion, hence symptoms of depression

Question 6

Acetylcholine

Answer 6

• neurotransmitter
• serotonin is associated with the brain - in how its involved in learning and memory
• present in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and acetylcholine receptors are found widely throughout the body and brain
• effective deliverer of sodium ions stimulates muscle contractions; excites nerves
• an increase in Ach causes:
• Decreased heart rate
• Increased production of saliva
• High doses - convulsions and tremors
• Deficient levels - contribute to motor dysfunction

Question 7

Martinez and Kesner

Answer 7

Aim: To determine the role of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on memory, specifically memory function

Method: rats

Question 8

Research methods used at biological level of analysis

Answer 8

• Experiments
• Correlational studies
• Case studies
• Meta-analysis

Question 9

Ethical considerations at the biological level of analysis

Answer 9

• Inflicting pain and death in animals in order to draw correlations to human behaviour
• The use of brain lesioning and other irreversible techniques
• Confidentiality of genetic information
• Deception in the use of placebos
• Gaining informed consent in cases of brain damage