Psychobiology

Question 1

Describe the sensory neurone

Answer 1

Activated by sensory input. They are bipolar or unipolar. Sends info form periphery (afferent)

Question 2

Describe the two different PNS systems

Answer 2

Somatic: controlled movement via skeletal muscles. Controls the reflex arc.
Automatic:
Parasympathetic: calms us down
Sympathetic: speeds us up.

Question 3

What does anterior/rostal refer to?

Answer 3

Front of brain

Question 4

What does caudal/prosterior refer to?

Answer 4

Back of brain

Question 5

What does dorsal/superior refer to?

Answer 5

Top of brain

Question 6

What does ventral/inferior refer to?

Answer 6

Bottom of brain

Question 7

What does gyrus refer to?

Answer 7

Ridges on cerebral cortex

Question 8

What does sulcus refer to?

Answer 8

Depression in cerebral cortex

Question 9

What does fissure refer to?

Answer 9

Deep grooves in cerebral cortex

Question 10

What are the main regions and their functions in the hindbrain?

Answer 10

Medulla: cranial nerve input and automatic centre for vital functions.
Pons: cranial nerve integration and respiration
Cerebellum: fine motor control, cognitive functioning, coordination of movement.

Question 11

What are the regions and their functions in the midbrain?

Answer 11

Tectum:
1. Superior Colliculus: visual processing and control eye movements
2. Inferior Colliculus: auditory processing
Tegmentum: unconscious processes, movement

Question 12

What are the regions and their functions in the forebrain?

Answer 12

Hypothalamus: homeostasis
Thalamus: sensory processing
Amygdala: emotion
Hippocampus: episodic memories
Cerebral cortex: frontal lobe (executive functioning and impulse control), parietal lobe (somatosensory interpretation), occipital lobe (visual processing), temporal (PVC)

Question 13

What are the characteristics of an electrical synapse?

Answer 13

Gap junctions, close together, less common

Question 14

What are the characteristics of a chemical synapse?

Answer 14

Slower, complex connections, common

Question 15

What is the process of synaptic communication?

Answer 15

Nerve impulse arrives at the axon terminal
Calcium channels open and ions enter cell
Increase in calcium activates synaptic vesicles
Neurotransmitters bind to receptors in adjacent neurone
Ion channels open
Neurotransmitter returns to OG neurone.

Question 16

What are the three criteria for a neurotransmitter?

Answer 16

Substance must be present in pre-synaptic neurone
Substance released due to depolarisation and must be calcium dependant
Specific receptors must be present in post-synaptic cell.

Question 17

What is neuromodulation?

Answer 17

When a neurotransmitter is not returned to the presynaptic cell and instead travels to modulate another neurone. Monoamines, cholinergic systems and neuropeptides act as modulators.

Question 18

What are the two types of receptors?

Answer 18

Ionotropic: ligand-gates ion channels. Rapid effect to generate IPSPs and EPSPs.
Metabotropic: g-protein coupled receptors. Slow acting, activates an enzyme cascade and can alter function of a cell.

Question 19

Describe two examples of amino acid transmitters

Answer 19

Glutamate: excitatory neurotransmitter. 3 types; Kainate, AMPA (initiates EPSPs) and NMDA (neuroplasticity and learning)
GABA: primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

Question 20

Describe an example of a cholingeric neurotransmitter

Answer 20

Acteylcholine: transmission system for PNS. Associated with cognitive functioning in CNS. Used to treat side effects of Alzheimers.

Question 21

Describe two examples of monoamine neuroreceptors

Answer 21

Catecholamine:
1. Dopamine: associated with reward and movement. Used to treat Parkinsons.
2. Epinepherine/adrenaline: sympathetic NS activation. Concentration and stress in fight/flight.
Serotonin: associated with depressive disorders, appetite, sleep, cognitive functions.

Question 22

Describe examples of neuropeptides

Answer 22

Endorphins: block pain and increase pleasure
Oxytocin: pair bonding and linked to dopamine reward system.
Neuropeptide Y: drives appetite
Angiotensin II: maintaining blood pressure, driver of thirst
Corticotrophin- releasing factor (CRF): involved in stress response.

Question 23

What is a pharmacodynamic?

Answer 23

Physiological effects of drugs on the body

Question 24

What is a pharmacokinetic?

Answer 24

Effects of the body on drugs

Question 25

What is the main pharmacological treatment for MDD?

Answer 25

SSRI - inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT only.

Question 26

What is the function of antipsychotics?

Answer 26

Treat the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Typical antipsychotic is a D2 receptor antagonist which prevents the effects of dopamine.

Question 27

Describe the two types of communication systems in the body

Answer 27

Neural communication: sent out to specific cells

Endocrine: signal is sent out wide, by only detected by specific cells.

Question 28

What are the three general principles of hormones?

Answer 28

Only affect cells that have a specific receptor protein
Levels vary rhythmically throughout the day
Have multiple effects on different cells and behaviours.

Question 29

Describe the three types of hormones

Answer 29

Peptides: composed of many amino acids.
Steroids: cholesterol derived
Amines: single amino acids. Converts by enzymes into hormones.