nureons and stuff

Question 1

Identify and discuss two strengths of the biological approach in psychology

Answer 1

-Scientific methods of investigation

-fMRIs, twin and family studies - very precise
-
Accurate and measurable data

-Reliable



-Real life application

-Increased understanding of biochemical processes has lead to the development of psychoactive drugs

-These have helped a number of people deal with conditions such as depression and schizophrenia
-
This is a strength because it has revolutionized treatment for patients and has lead them to be able to live normal lives

Question 2

Why is the biological approach deterministic and what are the wider implications of this?

Answer 2

-sees human behavior as being controlled entirely by internal biological processes over which we have no control


-This implies that we aren’t responsible for our own behavior (So people who commit crimes can’t be held responsible, so can’t be punished for it)

Question 3

Identify two parts of the human nervous system

Answer 3

• Peripheral nervous system



- Central nervous system

Question 4

What is the role of the central nervous system?

Answer 4

brain

-Center of all consciousness

-Cerebral cortex is responsible for higher functions


-Spinal cord
Extension of the brain - responsible for reflexis

Question 5

Outline the function of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 5

Transmits signal to and from the central nervous system

-Divided into two parts;

-The autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for maintaining vital functions (e.g. heart beat)

-The somatic nervous system, which control muscle movement and receives information from the senses

Question 6

Outline the role of adrenaline in fight or flight response

Answer 6

-It triggers physiological changes in the body (e.g increased heart rate) needed for fight or flight

The endocrine system is made up of various glands which release hormones. Define gland and give one example

-A glandis an organ in the body which synthesizes substances such as hormones
-The thyroid gland, for example, produces thyroxine which effects cells in the heart, increasing heart rate
-It also effects other cells in the body increasing metabolic rate

Question 7

Define the term hormone and give one example

Answer 7

-Chemical that circulate in the blood stream and only affect target organs. They are produced in very large quantities and disappear very quickly. There effects are very powerful


-Testosterone

Question 8

Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system in fight or flight response

Answer 8

-Threat detected


-Sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream


-Causes the body to ready for fight or flight


-After the threat has passed the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in to put the body back to rest

Question 9

Outline the difference between the nervous system and the endocrine system

Answer 9

-One difference between the two is the time taken for the systems to respond to the stimuli


-The nervous system reacts from electrical and chemical transmissions, the response is near to instant


-The endocrine system reacts much more slowly, but therefore much longer lasting and widespread effects

Question 10

What is a neuron?

Answer 10

-Neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals in the nervous system

Question 11

Outline the function of motor

Answer 11

-Motor neurons connect the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and glands


Question 12

outline the function of relay neurones

Answer 12

-Relay neurons connect sensory neurons to motor neurons and other relay neurons

Question 13

outline the function sensory neurons

Answer 13

-Sensory neurons connect the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system

Question 14

describe the structure of a cell body

Answer 14

-The cell body includes a nucleus which contains the genetic material of the cell

Question 15

describe the structure of dendrites

Answer 15

-Dendrites are branch like structures that carry nerve impulses from neighboring neurons towards the cell body


Question 16

the axon structure

Answer 16

-The axon carries impulses away from the cell body down the length of the neuron

Question 17

myelin sheath

Answer 17

-The myelin sheath covers the axon to protect and speed up transmission of electric impulses

Question 18

nodes of ranvier

Answer 18

-Nodes of Ranvier are gaps between the myelin sheath these speed up the transmission of the electrical impulses by forcing it to jump the gap

Question 19

thermal buttons

Answer 19

Terminal buttons are at the end of the axon; these communicate with the next neuron across the synapse

Question 20

Explain and distinguish between electrical and chemical transmissions in relation to neurons

Answer 20

• Electric transmission happens within the neuron. This changes the neuron from being negatively charged to positively charged when activated by a stimulus This creates the electric impulses that travel to the end of the neuron

• Chemical transmission occurs between neurons. When the electric impulse reaches the end of a neuron it triggers the release of neurotransmitters, which diffuse across the synapse

Question 21

Explain the function of neurotransmitters, identify one in your answer

Answer 21

-A neurotransmitter is a chemical released from the presynaptic nerve that relays a signal across the synapse


-The neurotransmitter diffuses across the synapse and is taken in at the receptor site
-The chemical message is then converted back into an electric one


-For example, acetylocholine is found where a motor neuron meets a muscle and causes the muscle to contract

Question 22

In terms of synaptic transmission, explain whit is meant by inhibition and excitation

Answer 22

• Serotonin has an inhibitory effect of the receiving neuron by causing the neuron to become more negatively charged

• This results in it being less likely to fire


-Adrenaline has an excitatory effect on the neuron making it more positively charged
-

This make the neuron more likely to fire

Question 23

tricyclics treatment

Answer 23

tricyclics – block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs both serotonin and noradrenaline, again
prolonging their activity

Question 24

negatives of biological approach

Answer 24

the scientific methods used by biopsychologists might reduce behaviours to unrealistic actions and therefore lose sight of the possible impact of factors such as cognition and culture on behaviour

• the danger of looking for biological cause of all behaviours has led to problems like the search for the ‘criminal gene’