Unit 3 Biological Influences 2019 Flashcards
A set of study cards written for revision of Biological influences in Y12 Psych.
What is the role of the Nervous System? [3 marks]
- Receive information
- Process information
- Coordinate a response
The Peripheral nervous system can further be divided into the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. Differentiate between the roles of both. (2 Marks)
- Somatic: consists of nerves that transmit information to and from the skeletal muscles, which control voluntary movement
- Autonomic: controls the activity of internal muscle organs and glands, which are not under voluntary control.
Alice was walking down a path when she suddenly saw a big black grizzly bear. Her heart began to race as she didn’t know what to do. She was in a state of fight or flight. What nervous system was activated during Alice’s experience and what may happen to her as this occurs?
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Pupils dilate, heart races, trigger adrenal glands which release adrenaline
In what way does the CNS process information and what parts of the body are included?
- CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord
- Processes information from the outside world through various senses and activates actions
- It is the as we think, feel and act
The brain is broadly divided into three sections. What are they known as and describe each of their functions?
- Forebrain: Involved in perception, learning, motor and conceptual activities, while those areas near the centre of the brain are involved in internal and automatic bodily functions such as body temperature, reproductive functions, eating, sleeping and emotions.
- Hindbrain: Connects the brain with the spinal cord and is responsible for breathing, sleep patterns, hunger and thirst, blood pressure, heart rhythms and body temperature; also helps regulate the CNS.
- Midbrain: Located at the top of the brainstem and relays messages via the thalamus, to the rest of the forebrain; important in vision and hearing as well as muscular movements.
Christopher has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Discuss what may have happened to the midbrain.
- Midbrain has degenerated
- Resulting in the tremor characteristic of this condition
Where are neurotransmitters located?
In vesicles of the presynaptic dendrite
Explain the steps involved in neuron communicating chemically
action potential arrives in axon terminals
vesicles move towards membrane of axon terminal and fuses with it
neurotransmitter spill into synaptic gap and diffuses across the gap into the postsynaptic dendrite membrane where it locks onto a receptor site
What is serotonin, and what roles does it play within the body?
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter. It’s an inhibitory neurotransmitter, believed to play a part in emotional arousal and sleep.
Jenny’s grandma suffers from Parkinson’s disease. Suggest what neurotransmitter is deficient and explain the role of it.
Deficiency in dopamine is partially responsible. It’s a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits certain synapses in the brain and dampens motor responses
Name the three types of psychoactive drugs
Depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens
Explain how a psychoactive drug that falls under the category of depressants affects the behaviour emotion and thoughts of an individual.
A psychoactive depressant drug is alcohol. Alcohol intoxication will lead to a decrease in bodily activities such as heart rate and breathing rate and will dilate pupils and will increase vasodilation of the sweat glands and blood vessels in the skin, therefore giving one a flushed appearance. Alcohol slows the activity of the nervous system, therefore reaction times slow and voluntary movement becomes dis-coordinated and slow, speech is also slurred and fine motor movements are difficult to complete. Emotionally a depressant drug such as alcohol will lead to a more relaxed state of mind.
Explain how stimulants affect the behaviour, emotions and thoughts of an individual.
Stimulants such as ecstasy lead to a heightened emotional state and feelings of euphoria. One who has taken ecstasy will experience a racing heart, dilated pupils and an overall heightened sense of being. People who have taken ecstasy are more likely to take risks they normally would not, behave erratically and appear happy. This is due to ecstasy’s ability to cause the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin to release rapidly from their storage sites.
Explain how hallucinogens affect the behaviour, emotions and thoughts of an individual.
Hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD have a profound effect on the mind, these types of drugs can cause visual and auditory hallucinations, meaning people may experience things that are not real such as seeing, feeling and hearing snakes crawl along your skin.
Describe the effect adrenaline can have on an individual’s thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
The hormone adrenaline triggers the body’s fight or flight response which causes increased breathing and heart rate, dilated pupils and a heightened sense of awareness and energy due to the rapid release of glucose. Therefore one’s thoughts can become more refined and focused as the body decides how best to get out of danger and emotionally the individual will feel stressed, panicked and overwhelmed.
What areas has it been theorised that genetics can play a role in, in the psychological makeup of an individual?
Intelligence, Personality, Schizophrenia, Depression, Attachment, Aggression and Criminal behaviour
Mike was involved in a car accident which resulted in his frontal lobe being damaged. List three changes that could occur due to this damage. (3 marks)
Any of the following: Speech problems Changes in personality Poor coordination Difficulties with impulse control Trouble planning or sticking to a schedule
State the location and main function of the parietal lobe.
2 marks
The parietal lobe is located on the top of the skull and responsible for the coordination of senses and movements from one hemisphere to the other.
Broca’s area is responsible for the production of articulate speech. Explain what could happen if this area is damaged. (3 marks)
Any of the following: Poor or absent grammar Difficulty forming complete sentences Omitting certain words, such as “the,” “an,” “and,” and “is” More difficulty using verbs that nouns correctly Difficulty articulating sounds and words Difficulty repeating what has been said by others Trouble with writing sentences Difficulty reading Problems with full comprehension Difficulty following directions Frustration
What is the primary auditory cortex responsible for? (1 mark)
Registers auditory information and processes it, then responds
Damage to the occipital area can cause __________ ?
Blindness
Kelsey was kicking a football with his right boot. Identify which hemisphere, lobe and cortex this would take place in.
Hemisphere: Left
Lobe: Frontal
Cortex: Association cortex
What is another name for the hormone norepinephrine?[1 mark]
Noradrenaline
List one difference and one similarity between noradrenaline and adrenaline [2 marks]
Differences
- Chemically different
- Generated in different areas (Adrenaline= Adrenal Medulla[Also produces small amounts of noradrenaline] Noradrenaline= brain [sympathetic nerves])
- Noradrenaline, though a hormone, acts as a neurotransmitter whilst adrenaline does not
Similarities
- Both hormones
- Assist in the ANS, specifically in the fight or flight response
[Lists are non-exhaustive]
Define ‘Adrenaline’ [1 mark]
A hormone released by the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nerves and function as a neurotransmitter. Its secretion is part of the human ‘fight or flight’ response
Simon has developed a medical condition that reduces the production of serotonin in the body. What symptoms would you expect Simon to have and why? (3 marks)
He can’t sleep, is moody and short-tempered when interacting with people, may show signs of depression. This is because serotonin regulates mood, social behaviour, emotional arousal and sleep. It is also linked to depression however it is unknown for sure whether it causes depression.
Mark is nervous for an oral presentation. His heart beats rapidly, his palms are sweaty and his breathing has increased. Which part of the nervous system would be activated?
Sympathetic Nervous system
What are the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system? (6 marks)
Sympathetic: Prepares the body for intense physical activity (fight or flight); increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, pupils dilate, inhibits digestions, adrenal glands are triggered.
Parasympathetic: Relaxes the body and inhibits or slows many high energy functions (rest or digest); slows down heart rate, decreases blood pressure, dilates blood vessels, stimulates digestion, constricts pupils.
Compare and contrast between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems? (5 marks)
Somatic nervous system controls voluntary movement of the muscles and organs as well as reflex movements
Somatic relay information from external sensory receptors to CNS and from CNS to skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous system acts as an involuntary control system and controls visceral functions
Autonomic carries impulses from central nervous system to heart and other internal organs
Both apart of the peripheral nervous system
Define psychoactive drugs and identify the four factors they have an effect upon (5 marks)
Chemical substances that act upon the CNS to alter brain function. When taken, they result in changes to perception, mood, consciousness and behaviour.
Explain what a depressant is and give two examples (3 marks)
Substances that calm the activity of the nervous system and slow the body’s functions.
Any of the following: alcohol, cannabis, valium, barbiturates, ecstasy
Explain what a stimulant is and give two examples (3 marks)
Substances that excite the nervous system and arouse body function.
Any of the following: amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine, crystal meth
Explain what a hallucinogen is and give two examples (3 marks)
Substances that change one’s perceptions and give them sensory images without input from the senses.
Any of the following: LSD, magic mush rooms
Ecstasy is a stimulant. Describe in three ways each how ecstasy would affect a person’s behaviours (including physiological), emotions and thoughts (9 marks)
Behaviour = speed up the activity of CNS*, increased heart rate*, rapid breathing*, possible violent/irrational behaviour due to psychosis, hyperactivity Emotion = increased feelings of excitement, high energy, elevated mood, sense of euphoria, Thought = increased confidence, irrational thinking, aggressive thoughts
Describe in three ways each how a depressant affects a persons behaviours (including physiological), emotions and thoughts (9 marks)
Behaviour = reduced activity in CNS*, decreased heart rate*, slower breathing*, reduced coordination, act impulsively due to loss of inhibitions, slowed ability to respond, sleepiness Emotion = less stressed, calm, receives anxiety, depression/anxiety from withdrawal Thoughts = slow down brain processes, brain stop recording into memory store, loss of ability to think about actions and effect on others, reduced concentration, poor decision making
Describe in three ways each how a hallucinogen affects a persons behaviours (including physiological), emotions and thoughts (9 marks)
Behaviour = increased heart rate*, increased blood pressure*, increased body temp.*, blurred vision*, dilated pupils*, convolutions/seizures, violent/aggressive behaviours from distorted perceptions, impaired judgement, body wide anaesthetic with enhanced sensations* Emotion = mood swings, fear, terror, panic, euphoria, feeling invincible Thought = disrupted cognition, altered perception, distorted sense of time, hallucinations, disassociation, difficulty concentrating, difficulty communicating, difficulty distinguishing between reality and illusion, aggressive thoughts, irrational thinking
Carla was a normally shy girl who became confident after she took an illicit substance that made her feel energetic and excited. She began to show affection towards her friends and experienced an elevated mood. However, she also experienced some aggressive thoughts and behaviours due to irrational thinking. What category of drug did Carla take and how do you know this? (2 marks)
Stimulant - confidence, feeling energetic and excited, affection, aggressive thoughts/behaviours, and irrational thinking are all characteristics of stimulants.
At a party, Frank took an illicit substance which caused him to feel less stressed about the school work he was supposed to be catching up on. His dancing became uncoordinated, and he stopped due to feeling sleepy and drowsy. What category of drug did Frank consume and how do you know this? (2 marks)
Depressant - feeling calm, incoordination and sleepiness are all characteristics of depressants.
Mike was involved in a car accident which resulted in his frontal lobe being damaged. List three changes that could occur due to this damage.
(3 marks)
Any of the following: Speech problems Changes in personality Poor coordination Difficulties with impulse control Trouble planning or sticking to a schedule
State the location and main function of the parietal lobe.
2 marks
The parietal lobe is located on the top of the skull and responsible for the coordination of senses and movements from one hemisphere to the other.
Explain why the Broca’s is located closer to the Primary Motor Cortex
(2 marks)
The Broca’s area is responsible for the production of therefore it is located closer to the primary motor cortex as it speech production requires movement of the mouth.
What is the primary auditory cortex responsible for?
1 mark
Registers auditory information, processes it and then responds
Kelsey was kicking a football with her right boot. Identify which hemisphere, lobe and cortex this action would take place in.
(3 marks)
Hemisphere: Left
Lobe: Frontal
Cortex: Association cortex
Where can the temporal lobe be found?
1 mark
The sides of the skull
Identify 3 structures that can be found in the temporal lobe
3 marks
Limbic system
The amygdala
The hippocampus
What is the difference between the functions of the primary motor cortex and the primary sensory cortex?
(2 marks)
The primary motor cortex is involved in the control of voluntary body movements through control of the skeletal muscles
The primary sensory cortex is responsible for bodily sensations, mainly touch and other skin sensations such as temperature and pain, and processing these bodily functions.
