The biological approach pt 2: lesson 19 Flashcards
Define evolution
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
What two concepts were in Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory?
- natural selection
- sexual selection
What is natural selection?
Animals with particular advantageous traits more likely to survive and reproduce ‘adaptive traits’
What research methods does the biological approach use?
- highly scientific
- lab & observation experiments
- brain scanning & recordings used
Name and define the principles within natural selection?
- Principal of diversity: variety within species
- Principle of integration: how variety of species adapt & fit in environment
- Principle of differential amplification: those who adapt to environment will reproduce and those who don’t die
What is sexual selection?
- males have abundance of sperm and can reproduce whenever they want
- females are limited by how many eggs produced and have to carry baby for 9months then raise to 18
- females therefore more selective with male to reproduce with
What are the parts in the central nervous system?
- brain
- spinal chord
What are the parts of the peripheral nervous system?
- autonomic nervous system
- somatic nervous system
What do biopsychologists think is the reason for behaviour and experiences?
Activity in the nervous system
What is the nervous system?
- specialised network of cells in the human body which is our primary internal communication system
- two functions:
1) collect, process & respond to information in environment
2) coordinate working of different organs & cells
Key facts on CNS
- brain centre of all conscious awareness
- brain outer layer is cerebral cortex
- brain divided into 2 hemispheres
- spine is extension of brain
- passes messages from brain & connects nerves to PNS
Key facts on peripheral nervous system
- transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from CNS
- divided into
1) somatic nervous system
2) autonomic nervous system
Key facts on somatic nervous system?
- carries sensory and motor information to and from spine
- made of 12 pairs of cranial nerves from brain
- 13 pairs of spinal nerves
Key facts on autonomic nervous system
- governs vital body functions e.g breathing, heart rate, arousal
- 2 divisions:
1) sympathetic nervous system
2) parasympathetic nervous system
describe the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
- actions mostly agnostic ( work in opposition)
- parasympathetic maintains body energy & functions
- sympathetic prepares body to expand energy for fight or flight
What are parts of the endocrine system?
- hormones
- adrenal gland
- pituitary gland
- blood vessels
What are parts of the nervous system?
- neurones
- neurotransmitters
- peripheral nervous system
- central nervous system
What are parts of the nervous system & endocrine system?
- hypothalamus
- pituitary gland
- autonomic nervous system
