Paper 2 - Biopsychology

Question 1

What are the divisions of the nervous system:

Answer 1

The central nervous system (CNS)+ The Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 2

What are the divisions of the central nervous system (CNS):

Answer 2

Spinal cord + Brain

Question 3

What are the divisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS):

Answer 3

Somatic nervous system + Autonomic nervous system

Question 4

What are the divisions of the Autonomic nervous system:

Answer 4

Sympathetic nervous system + Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 5

location & Function & structure of The Sensory neuron:

Answer 5

• The PNS in clusters known as the ganglia
• Sends information from the senses PNS towards the brain CNS
• Receptors found in the eyes, skin
• Long dendrites & short axons

Question 6

location & Function & structure of The Relay neuron

Answer 6

• In the Brain
• They carry nerve impulses between neurons allowing the sensory and motor neuron communicate
• They analyse sensations and decide how to respond
• Short dendrites and short axons and no myelin sheath

Question 7

location & Function & structure of The Motor neuron:

Answer 7

• Found in both the CNS and the PNS
• Send information via long axons from the CNS through to effectors such as muscles or glands
• Short dendrites and long axons

Question 8

What is the role of the dendrites:

Answer 8

Carry impulses from neighboring neurons towards the cells body

Question 9

What is the role of the cell body & nucleus:

Answer 9

Contains genetic material of cell

Question 10

What is the role of the
myelin sheath:

Answer 10

Fatty layer which covers the cell protects the cell and speeds up electrical transmission

Question 11

What is the role of the Nodes of Ranvier:

Answer 11

Myelin sheath is separated by gaps which speeds up transmission of the impulse by forcing it to jump across gaps along the axon

Question 12

What it the role of the Axon:

Answer 12

Carries impulses away from the cell body down the length of the neuron

Question 13

What is the role of the terminal button:

Answer 13

Communicates with the next neuron in the chain across a gap called the synapse

Question 14

The function of the endocrine system:

Answer 14

• Provides a chemical system of communication within the blood stream to regulate the activity of cells and organs in the body
• These chemical messengers are Hormones which are released by the glands to regulate bodily functions

Question 15

What hormone does the Pituitary Gland release:

Answer 15

• Anterior = ACTH
• Posterior = Oxytocin

Question 16

What hormone does the Pineal gland release:

Answer 16

• Melatonin

Question 17

What hormone does the Thyroid gland release:

Answer 17

• Thyroxine

Question 18

What hormone does the Adrenal gland release:

Answer 18

• Adrenal medulla = adrenaline + noradrenaline
• Adrenal cortex = cortisol

Question 19

What hormone does the Ovaries (female) release:

Answer 19

• Oestrogen

Question 20

What hormone does the Testes (male) release

Answer 20

• Testosterone

Question 21

What are the 6 steps that occur during The Fight or Flight response:

Answer 21

1) A person enters a stressful/dangerous situation

2) The amygdala is activated which sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus

3) Hypothalamus activates the sympathomedullary pathway

4) The SNS stimulates the adrenal medulla (part of the adrenal gland)

5) The adrenal medulla secretes the hormones adrenaline & noradrenaline into bloodstream

6) Adrenaline causes a number of physiological changes to prepare body for fight or flight

Question 22

Functions/Features of the Autonomic Nervous system:

Answer 22

1) responsible for involuntary responses for vital function (breathing, heart rate)
2) Controls smooth and cardiac muscles
3) ANS control centers are in the brain stem

Question 23

Functions/Features of the Somatic Nervous system:

Answer 23

1) Responsible for voluntary movements (walking)
2) Transmits information from the brain to control skeletal muscles
3) SNS carries commands from the motor cortex

Question 24

What is the Endocrine system:

Answer 24

• A network of glands across the body that secrete chemical messages called hormones

Question 25

Describe synaptic transmission:

Answer 25

1) Signals within neurons are transmitted electronically
2) Once electronic transmission had occurred the message must be passed to the next neuron
3) Signals between neurons are transmitted chemically
4) Neurons are then separated by a synapse
5) Within the synapse electronic signals trigger the release of neurotransmitters which allows the message to be relayed to the next neuron
6) Neurotransmitters are chemicals that diffuse across the synapse to the next neuron in the chain

Question 26

What is Electrical transmission:

Answer 26

• The process by which internal/electrical impulses are generated in the neuron through activation by stimulus
• The activation causes an electrical impulse to travel down the axon of the neuron

Question 27

Describe Electrical transmission:

Answer 27

1) Sensory neuron is negatively charged in comparison tp the outside at resting state
2) Stimulus activates the neuron and the cell becomes positively charged in comparison to the outside environment
3) An action potential occurs with causes an electrical pulse which travels down the axon of the neuron

Question 28

Excitation vs Inhabitation:

Answer 28

1) If a neurotransmitter is excitatory the neighboring neuron will become more positively charged and so will be more likely to ‘fire’

2) If it is inhibitory the neighboring neuron will become more negatively charged and so it won’t ‘fire’

Question 29

Evaluation for Fight or flight: (Weakness)

Answer 29

• when faced with a dangerous situation our reaction is not limited to the fight or flight response some psychologists suggest that humans engage in an initial ‘freeze’ response. Gray suggests that the 1st response to danger is to avoid confrontation which is demonstrated by the freeze response. During this humans + animals are hyper-vigilant while they decide which is the best course to take for that particular threat

Question 30

Evaluation for Fight or Flight:(weakness)

Answer 30

• The fight or flight response is typically a male response to danger and more research suggests females adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response in stressful/dangerous situations. According to Taylor women are more likely to protect their offspring (tend) and from alliances with other women (befriend) rather than fight and adversary and flee