Test 1 Flashcards
Define biopsychology
The study of the biological basis of behaviour.
What are the major shifts that determined there was a reciprocal relationship between the brain and behaviour? (5)
- The brain influences behaviours.
- Behaviours have a material/physical basis.
- Manipulations including environment can alter brain structure and function
- Can we/should we modify brain activity? ethical shift
- If we decipher exactly how neural circuits work, could we/should we build a brain? ethical shift
How might neural activity be altered? (7)
- Drugs
- Electrical stimulation
- Disease
- Tissue damage/removal
- Development
- Learning
- Cell proliferation/introduction
What experimental approaches could one take to link structure, function and behaviour? (3)
- Correlational
- Somatic intervention
- Behavioural intervention
Define hunger
The subjective feeling of wanting food.
Define eating
The objective behaviour of consuming food.
Define absorbed
Taken into the bloodstream
What is the set point theory?
That hunger and eating are driven by glucostatic and lipostatic homeostasis.
What is the main job of the hypothalamus?
It is the key in many basic motivated behaviours.
What signals does the brain rely on to generate a hunger feeling? (4)
- Low glucose
- Low fatty acids
- Empty stomach
- High ghrelin
What 3 phases is Insulin released in?
- Cephalic (brain in anticipation)
- Digestive (food in GI tract)
- Absorptive (glucose in blood)
What signals does the brain rely on to generate a satiety feeling? (4)
- High glucose/insulin
- High leptin
- Distended GI tract
- High PYY
What is obesity?
Elevated or excessive body fat that present serious health risks.
Why are we getting obese? (3)
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Plentiful food
- Eating calorie rich, nutrient poor food
Mechanism/mode/issues of Orlistat?
Mechanism- is a lipase inhibitor
Mode of action- reduces fat absorption in the small intestine (inhibits lipase enzymes so fat can’t be broken down into fatty acids=can’t be absorbed)
Issues- GI tract discomfort, unexpected bowel movements, modest weight loss
What are the 3 main types of bariatric surgery?
- Malabsorptive procedures
- Restrictive procedures
- Maladaptive and restrictive procedures
What does bariatric surgery do?
- Forces you to eat small meals (conditioned aversion)
- Reduces absorption of nutrients
- Hormonal changes (decrease in ghrelin)
What do caloric reduction and activity increases have in common?
They must be progressive, long term and permanent changes.
Define sleep
The objective behaviour characterised by inactivity, hypo-responsiveness and unique physiological patterns.
Define drowsiness
The subjective feeling of wanting to sleep. The purpose of drowsiness is to prompt sleep.
How are dreams in SWS and REM sleep different?
SWS- are ambiguous, a feeling, a strong urge to act or feeling of emotions
REM- a narrative/story
What is the Recuperation theory?
Sleep restores homeostasis of the body. Studies have not found this. It is thought may be the brains homeostasis as sleep deprivation does reduce cognitive measures. Huge cognitive expenditures make us tires and cause more SWS. Areas of the brain used most during the day show the most inactivity during SWS.
What is the Adaptation theory?
Sleep is to conserve energy because you’ve achieved enough during the day, there’s limited stimuli at night and inactivity reduces risk of predation and accident. Inaccurate because sleep leaves us vulnerable.
What are the effects of SWS deprivation? (3)
- Drowsiness
- Negative affect
- Reduced vigilance
What are the major confounds to sleep deprivation? (3)
- Stress
- Participants natural sleep cycle
- Participants efficiency in their sleep cycle
What are the effects of REM sleep deprivation? (2)
- REM rebound
2. Increase in REM initiations
What is Adenosine?
A nucleoside neuromodulator that exerts an inhibitory effect on neurons. As glycogen decreases from astrocytes in wakefulness, Adenosine release increases and builds up. During SWS astrocytes glycogen stores are replenished and Adenosine is broken down.
What manipulates Adenosine?
Caffeine is an Adenosine receptor antagonist.
Ach system (3)
- Found in Basal forebrain and brainstem.
- High in awake, low in SWS and med in REM
- Activation leads to widespread cortical release
NE system (3)
- Found in LC
- High in awake, low in SWS and zero in REM
- Activation leads to vigilance and attention
5-HT system (3)
- Found in Raphe Nuclei
- High in awake, low in SWS and zero in REM (but fast burst post REM)
- Activation leads to cortical arousal
Histamine system (3)
- Found in TMN
- High in awake, low in SWS and low in REM
- Activation leads to cortical Histamine release (1) and increased Ach release (2) for novel detection
Orexin system (3)
- Found in LH and PH
- High in awake, low in SWS and low in REM
- Widespread projections to all areas of the brain, including excitatory effects on LC, Raphe, TMN, pontine nuclei and nucleus basilis.
