Mock Exam Flashcards
Briefly explain what is meant by ‘the localisation hypothesis’ when referring to brain function.
Brain localisation refers to the association on functions with particular areas in the brain. The idea that different brain regions serve different functions.
Describe two shortcomings linked to the localisation hypothesis.
Biologically reductionist and fails to take into account individual differences.
What are the seven stages of brain development?
Neurulation, Neuronal Prolifertion, Neuronal Differentiation, Synapse Formation, Programmed Cell Death, Synpatic Pruning and Mylenation.
Name at least three brain regions which, according to Venemia and Nye (2018), are involved when lying and briefly explain the function of two of these brain regions in this context.
Cingular Cortex and Medial Pre-frontal Cortex. (CC) Error detection, attention shifting, and performance monitoring. (MPFC) image recognition and decision making.
Van der Klaauw (2016) examined the influence of genetics (MC4R) in dietary preferences. What did the study show and what does this suggest?
MC4R deficient rodents exhibited markedly increased preference for high fat, but significantly reduced preference for sucrose foods. Suggesting that MC4R deficiencies are linked to unconscious preference for high fat foods.
Briefly explain the two ways in which ethanol inhibits functioning of the central nervous system through its actions on the GABA and Glutamate systems during acute alcohol intoxication.
Alcohol is believed to mimic GABA’s effect in the brain, binding to GABA receptors and inhibiting neuronal signalling. Alcohol inhibits the major excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, particularly at the N-methyl-d-asparate (NMDA) glutamate receptor.
Briefly describe how fMRI is typically used in research studies and outline two methodological problems.
fMRI can project onto a computer which parts of the brain have increased blood flow, which allows researchers to see which parts of the brain are functioning during different tasks. Some brain regions are inhibitory and the filter which ‘filters’ out background noise can give a misleading image.
Briefly outline two types of abnormal development related to the neural tube.
Spina Bifida - Incomplete development of the spine. A special set of cells form the neural tube, the neural tube doesn’t close completely (back end) and some bones of the spine do not close.
Anencephaly - Occurs when the neural tube does not develop or fails to close (front end), the baby is then born without parts of the brain or skull. This condition is fatal and the baby will most likely die shortly after birth.
Green et al. (2001; 2004) highlight a number of brain areas which are consistently activated when people make moral, compared to non-moral, judgements. Please name four of these.
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (VMPFC), Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), Amygdala.
Identify at least one brain region each for (i) bipolar/unipolar depression and (ii) Tourette Syndrome that has been targeted in research evaluating the utility of deep brain stimulation for those conditions.
(i) subcallosal cingulate (limbic gyrus, instralimbic gyrus, formix and inner arch). (ii) centromedian-parafasicular complex - anteromedial globus pallidus internus (GPi) and posteroventral GPi)
Which type of brain scan is useful for looking at the structure of the brain?
MRI
Which type of brain scan uses Xrays?
CT/CAT Scan
What brain imaging technique measures magnetic fields produced by the brains electrical currents?
MEG
What non-invasive brain imaging technique measures the electrical activity of the brain from electrodes on the scalp?
EEG.
