L8 - Biological Structures and Neurochemistry

Question 1

Examples of biological structures?

Answer 1

Neurons and the nervous system (CNS/PNS)
Brain
Hormones/endocrine system

Question 2

Describe the CNS and its role

Answer 2

Brain and spinal cord

Controls breathing, heart rate, reflexes

Question 3

Describe the Peripheral NS and its role

Answer 3

Sensory and motor neurons which connect the CNS to the rest of the body and its muscles by transmitting action potentials

Question 4

Describe the brain

Answer 4

Made up of the left and right hemisphere and is split into 4 lobes

Question 5

Name the 4 brain lobes

Answer 5

Frontal (motor)
Parietal (somatosensory)
Occipital (visual)
Temporal (auditory)

Question 6

What is the brain mainly made up of?

Answer 6

Cerebrum

Responsible for thinking, language, etc.

Question 7

State the role of the endocrine system

Answer 7

Network of glands which secrete hormones that target specific cells, affecting behaviour

Question 8

Advantage of biological structure related to scans?

Answer 8

Using PET, MRI, post-mortems

Aids objectivity and makes it more scientific

Question 9

Advantage of biological structures related to treatment

Answer 9

Has helped to develop drug therapies
Reduced costs as fewer people institutionalised e.g. SZ
Less pressure on NHS

Question 10

Disadvantages of biological structures?

Answer 10

Deterministic (no free will, have no choice over behaviour)
Reductionist (broken down simply when many illnesses are complex)
Cause and effect unclear e.g. SZ and dopamine

Question 11

What is neurochemistry?

Answer 11

Looking at the biochemistry of the CNS which involves neurotransmitters and hormones

Question 12

Define neurotransmitters

Answer 12

Brain chemicals that communicate throughout our brain and body, relaying signals between neurons

Question 13

What happens when an action potential reaches a synapse?

Answer 13

Vesicles release neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters diffuse into synaptic cleft from pre-synaptic knob
Bind to receptors on post-synaptic knob
Generates action potential in post-synaptic knob

Question 14

Different types of neurotransmitters?

Answer 14

Excitatory: increase likelihood of firing
Inhibitory: prevent nerve impulses and calm

Question 15

Advantage of neurochemistry related to measurement

Answer 15

Measured scientifically and objectively
E.g. insert a needle and extract spinal fluid
Increases accuracy of findings

Question 16

Advantage of neurochemistry related to treatments

Answer 16

If we know a lack/excess of a neurotransmitter/hormone causes behaviour we can use treatments which increase/lower levels

Question 17

Disadvantages of neurochemistry

Answer 17

Cause and effect unclear

Can be criticised by cognitive approach - negative thinking and thought patterns