introduction to the brain

Question 1

what is biological psychology?

Answer 1

the many ways in which the structures and actions of the brain produce mind and behaviour

Question 2

what are the 2 main functions of the brain?

Answer 2

1) use sensory input to guide movement (receptors to effectors)
2) use sensory input to regulate internal organs

Question 3

what is the function of the cortex and how much of the brain does it cover?

Answer 3

covers most of the surface of the brain

accounts for most information processing

Question 4

what are bumps and ridges in the brain generally called?

Answer 4

gyrus

Question 5

what are valleys and folds in the brain generally called?

Answer 5

sulcus

Question 6

what are the 3 main parts of the brain called?

and what is this refered to as?

Answer 6

the forebrain (thalamus and hypothalamus)
midbrain
hindbrain (cerebellum, pons)

tripartite brain

Question 7

what categorises the forebrain?

Answer 7

uses current sensory input and past experience to make and communicate decisions

conscious thinking

Question 8

what categorises the midbrain?

Answer 8

uses current sensory input to direct movement

unconscious, behind the scenes processes

Question 9

what categorises the hindbrain?

Answer 9

maintains the current state and controls the mouth

unconscious, behind the scenes processes

Question 10

what are the 2 systems which the body sends messages through?

Answer 10

the central nervous system

the peripheral nervous system

Question 11

what characterises the nervous system?

Answer 11

system entirely devoted to communication therefore costly

messages sent rapidly and using electrical signals

specific as structure determines which cells receive messages

Question 12

what characterises the vascualr system?

Answer 12

system sends messages using chemical signals (hormones)

messages are sent more slowly but are cheaper as system has other functions and a small amount does a lot e.g carrying nutrients to tissues

not specific as hormones travel around the body and the membrane receptors of cells determine who receives the messages

Question 13

what can input be?

Answer 13

can be both internal information or from external enviroment

e.g ambiant temperature (external in air) and core body temperature determine temperature homeostasis

Question 14

why are both communication systems necessary?

Answer 14

vascular system isn’t rapid enough to deal with immediate responses

nervous system is more costly

Question 15

what is the order of species in the history of life?

Answer 15

prokaryotic
eukaryotic
metazoa
bilateria
chordates
vertebrates
jawed fish
mammals
primates
homo sapiens

Question 16

what is significant about the metazoa?

Answer 16

first animals

multicellulary

Question 17

what is significant about the bilateria?

Answer 17

bilateral symmetry

Question 18

what is significicant about the chordates?

Answer 18

start of a spinal cord

Question 19

what is significant about the vertebrates?

Answer 19

first bones

tripartite brain

Question 20

what is significant about jawed fishes?

Answer 20

1) teeth - to receive more energy
2) eye muscles - for movement
3) cerebellum - to control stabilsation and gaze

Question 21

what is singiifcant about mammals?

Answer 21

differentiated teeth - more efficient digestion

vibrissae (whiskers) - improved hearing

extended parental care - more learning

large olfactory bulb - good sense of smell

Question 22

what is significant about homo sapiens?

Answer 22

rapid expansion of brain size

Question 23

what is an adaption of the teleost fish?

Answer 23

large optic tectum so good sight

Question 24

what does the relative szie of different brain areas indicate?

Answer 24

indicates the functional specialities of the animal

Question 25

what are some adaptions of primates?

Answer 25

opposable thumbs for grapsing

binocular vision for focusing

trichromatic vision for colour