paper 1 bio saq

Question 1

research methods & MRI

Answer 1

Maguire 2000s

Question 2

neuroplasticity (neural pruning & neural network) study & theory

Answer 2

Maguire 2000s

Neuroplasticity is development of neural networks via repetition 2 increase synaptic connections between neurons (neural pathways)
involves neural pruning, (deterioration of synaptic connections of unused neural networks) to form new neural networks

Question 2

localisation

Answer 2

Maguire 2000s

Question 3

neurotransmitters study & theory

Answer 3

Rogers & Kesner 2000s

Neurotransmitters - chemical messengers 2 transmit nerve signals between neurons @ synapses, via binding 2 receptors @ post synaptic neuron.
Agonists amplify neurotransmitters, Antagonists reduce
Synpapses r pathways 4 neurons 2 send messages 2 1 another & neurotransmitters carry out these messages via the synpase
Excitatory Neurotransmitters enhance transmission of nerve impulses
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters suppress transmission

Question 4

hormones study & theory

Answer 4

Meaney 80s

Hormones - chemical messengers of the body
effects are slower acting but for longer periods.

Question 5

evolutionary explanations for behaviour

Answer 5

Wedekind 90s

Question 5

genetic similarity

Answer 5

Gottesman & Shields 90s

Question 6

genes / genetics study & theory

Answer 6

Gottesman & Shields 90s

genes - DNA instructions 4 structure, & function of body, & behaviour.

Question 6

pheromones study & theory

Answer 6

Wedekind 90s

pheromones - chemical substances externally released & influence behaviour of others

Question 7

Maguire 2000s Study

Answer 7

AIM (MRI, neuroplasticity, localisation)
- investigate the ability for brain 2 undergo plastic changes from increased navigational requirements

• determine role of hippocampus in spatial memory

STUDY
- Correlational Study
- Quasi-experiment

PARTICIPANTS/IV
- taxi drivers
- control

METHOD
- MRI scan of ppt brains

• analysed size, density, & volume of hippocampus

RESULTS
- larger hippocampus

• hippocampus volume correlated w time as taxi driver

IMPLICATIONS
- environmental pressures 2 learn navigation made the brain plastic to increase neural pathways shown in increased volume & size of hippocampus

• hippocampus stores spatial information

Question 8

Rogers & Kesner 2000s Study

Answer 8

AIM (neurotransmitters)
- to investigate effect of acetylcholine in formation of spatial memory

METHOD
- rats acclimated 2 maze & objective 2 find food in opposing corner
- then rats were into 2 groups:
- 1) injected w/ scopolamine—a drug (antagonist) blocks reception & function of acetylcholine as it cannot travel from 1 neuron 2 another

• 2) placebo injection
• After injection rats were placed into maze & measured how long it would take 2 find food across 2 days
• formation of spatial memory: averaging then comparing no. errors made on the 1st & 2nd day

RESULTS
- experimental group took longer to learn the maze, & made more errors

IMPLICATIONS
- acetylcholine effects formation of spatial memories

Question 9

Meaney 80s Study

Answer 9

AIM (hormones, brain
- investigate effect of cortisol on memory

PARTICIPANTS/IV
- Condition 1 rats: experimental group, neglected rats
- Condition 2 rats: control group

METHOD
- After the rats reached maturation: individually placed in a container with milky water & had to escape by finding a platform
- this process repeated multiple times 2 see whether the rats would use their memory to reach the platform more effectively
- The route the rats took across trials was tracked

RESULTS
- neglected rats secreted more cortisol in response 2 stressful maze than the control rats, & elevated levels of cortisol at rest
- Accelerated hippocampal neuron loss & thus spatial memory deficits due 2 higher cortisol, shown by rats taking ineffective paths at older ages

IMPLICATIONS
- higher level cortisol from prolonged stress leads to hippocampal neuron loss which causes reduced spatial memory abilities

Question 10

Wedekind 90s Study

Answer 10

AIM
- investigate female attraction of males body odour are dependant on MHC genes (expressed through scent)

METHOD
- all participants had MHC genes identified

• males wore shirt (2 days straight)
• females smelt the shirt & ranked the odour

RESULTS
- females preferred smell of men w dissimilar MHC genes

IMPLICATIONS
- pheromones plays a role in initial attraction

-attracted 2 differing genes 4 genetically diverse offspring (survival of fittest)

Question 11

Gottesman & Shields 90s Study

Answer 11

AIM
- investigate relationship between genes & developing schizophrenia

PARTICIPANTS
- monozygotic twins (100% shared genes)
- dizygotic twins (50% shared genes)

METHOD
- researchers correlated the likelihood of the other twin develop sz if the other twin had sz via hospital records & interviews w/ twin w/o sz

RESULTS
- MZ around 50%
- DZ less than 20%

IMPLICATIONS
- genetic inheritance influences development of SZ