Biopsychology- Quiz (A2)

The Nervous Systems [blank_start]Central Nervous System[blank_end]- made up of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord is responsible for reflex actions, while the brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. It has a very advanced cerebral cortex compared to animals. [blank_start]Peripheral Nervous System[blank_end]- made up of millions of neurons that transmit messages to and from the CNS. [blank_start]Autonomic Nervous System[blank_end]- a subsystem of the PNS, this nervous system controls bodily functions, like breathing and heart rate [blank_start]Somatic Nervous System[blank_end]- a subsystem of the PNS, this nervous system controls voluntary movement. [blank_start]Sympathetic Nervous System[blank_end]- a branch of the ANS which is involved in the fight or flight response, and makes the body physiologically aroused [blank_start]Parasympathetic Nervous System[blank_end]- a branch of the ANS which is involved in the fight or flight response, and returns the body to its resting state.

What is a gland?

How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous systems?

Which gland is considered the 'master gland', as it controls all other glands?

Label the process of the fight or flight response (starting at 1, ending at 5) with the correct letter.

Label the neuron below.

Sensory neurons: have [blank_start]long[blank_end] dendrites and [blank_start]short[blank_end] axons Motor neurons: have [blank_start]short[blank_end] dendrites and [blank_start]long[blank_end] axons Relay neurons: have [blank_start]short[blank_end] dendrites and [blank_start]short[blank_end] axons

When in a resting state, the neuron is [blank_start]negatively[blank_end] charged. Upon activation by a stimulus, it temporarily becomes [blank_start]positively[blank_end] charged, creating an action potential.

Label the diagram of synaptic transmission.

Messages between neurons are transmitted [blank_start]chemically[blank_end] while messages within neurons are transmitted [blank_start]electrically[blank_end].

Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter?

Which of the following is an inhibitory neurotransmitter?

What is the theory that opposes localisation of function?

Label the lobes and areas of the brain.

The functions of the lobes/areas [blank_start]Frontal lobe[blank_end]: controls planning and decision making. Damage leads to a lack of restraint and rash actions [blank_start]Motor area[blank_end]: controls voluntary movement. Damage leads to loss of fine motor skills [blank_start]Somatosensory area[blank_end]: receives sensory information from the skin. Damage leads to an inability to identify by touch [blank_start]Occipital lobe[blank_end]: the visual area in which each eye sends information to the opposite side of the brain. Damage leads to blindness in the opposite eye [blank_start]Temporal lobe[blank_end]: the auditory area in which speech-based information is analysed. It is also in charge of facial recognition. Damage leads to partial hearing loss [blank_start]Wernicke's area[blank_end]: controls understanding speech. Damage leads to Wernicke's aphasia (fluent but nonsensical speech) [blank_start]Broca's area[blank_end]: controls speech production. Damage leads to Broca's aphasia (non-fluent and labourious speech)

There are three types of evidence which support localisation of function: Brain scan evidence: [blank_start]Peterson[blank_end] did brain scans and found Wernicke's area was active during listening tasks (understanding speech), while Broca's area was active for reading aloud tasks (speech production). [blank_start]Tulving[blank_end] found that episodic and semantic memories were stored on different sides of the pre-frontal lobe. This type of evidence is scientific and objective. Neurosurgical evidence: [blank_start]Dougherty[blank_end] suggested that lesioning the cingulate gyrus helps treat OCD Case study evidence: [blank_start]Phineas Gage[blank_end] had a pole through his head which damaged the frontal lobe, and he became rash and lacked restraint. This shows the function of the frontal lobe

There are two main disadvantages of the localisation of function theory: [blank_start]Lashley[blank_end]'s research: he removed parts of the cortex in rats and found that it didn't matter which part was removed, the effect on learning was the same. This supports the holistic view. [blank_start]Plasticity[blank_end]: when damaged, the brain can reorganise itself to recover the lost function. This suggests that all parts of the brain are involved in functions, thus supporting the holistic theory.

Plasticity During infancy, a child undergoes [blank_start]rapid[blank_end] brain development- synaptic connections peak at [blank_start]15,000[blank_end] at [blank_start]2-3[blank_end] years old ([blank_start]Gopnick[blank_end]) As we age, rarely used connections are deleted while frequently used ones are strengthened. This is known as [blank_start]synaptic pruning[blank_end].

Which researcher investigated plasticity with relation to taxi drivers having more grey matter in the posterior hippocampus (linked to spatial memory) than a control group?

Which researcher investigated plasticity with relation to medical students who had learning-induced changes in their posterior hippocampus and the parietal cortex 3 months after their exam?

There are 3 structural changes that occur in the brain during functional recovery. Choose the 3 changes below.

What is meant by 'homologous areas' with regards to functional recovery?

What is the practical application of research into plasticity (according to the AQA textbook)?

[blank_start]Hubel and Wiesel[blank_end] investigated functional recovery by sewing a [blank_start]kitten[blank_end]'s eye shut. They found that the area of the visual cortex without that eye continued to process information from the other eye.

What are two examples of negative plasticity?

'Plasticity reduces with age before eventually stopping' Is this statement true or false?

'The idea that the two hemispheres of the brain are functionally different and that certain mental processes are primarily processed by one side of the brain' Which of the following does this describe?

The right hemisphere includes functions such as [blank_start]art awareness[blank_end], [blank_start]creativity[blank_end], [blank_start]holistic thoughts[blank_end], and [blank_start]left[blank_end] hand controls. The left hemisphere includes functions such as [blank_start]analytic thought[blank_end], [blank_start]language[blank_end], [blank_start]science/maths[blank_end], and [blank_start]right[blank_end] hand controls.

Which researcher investigated split-brain research?

What kind of operation had the participants of Sperry's split-brain study undergone?

Which disorder did the participants in Sperry's split-brain research suffer from?

What is the role of the corpus callosum with relation to split-brain research?

In the diagram below, you will see examples of the split-brain research procedures. Considering the functions of the left hemisphere (right visual field) and right hemisphere (left visual field), label the procedures.

Name two advantages of Sperry's split-brain research

Name two disadvantages of Sperry's split-brain research

In the spaces provided, label the scanning technique described.

There are points to consider when evaluating scanning techniques. This includes: [blank_start]Cost[blank_end]- is it a technique that is expensive? [blank_start]Temporal resolution[blank_end]- is there a lag in the scanning, or is it instantaneous? [blank_start]Spatial resolution[blank_end]- is the picture clear? [blank_start]Ethical issues[blank_end]- people can't consent if they're dead [blank_start]Risks[blank_end]- does the technique use radiation or invasive methods? How much does it actually tell us?- fMRI is just blood flow, and post-mortems are affected by extraneous variables

Biological Rhythms Circadian rhythms: [blank_start]every 24 hours[blank_end], such as the [blank_start]sleep/wake cycle[blank_end] Ultradian rhythms: [blank_start]more than once every 24 hours[blank_end], such as the [blank_start]sleep cycle[blank_end] Infradian rhythms: [blank_start]less than once every 24 hours[blank_end], such as the [blank_start]menstrual cycle[blank_end] Circannual rhythms: a type of infradian rhythm that is [blank_start]once every year[blank_end], such as [blank_start]seasonal affective disorder[blank_end]

Siffre spent 2 months in a cave to investigate how the sleep/wake cycle was influenced by endogenous pacemakers. How did his sleep/wake cycle change?

[blank_start]Aschoff and Wever[blank_end] had participants spend a month in [blank_start]a WW2 bunker[blank_end] with no exogenous zeitgebers. The majority had a 24-25 hour sleep/wake cycle. [blank_start]Folkard[blank_end] had 12 volunteers live [blank_start]in a cave[blank_end] for 3 weeks with no light. Gradually, the clocks were sped up so a seemingly 24 hour day lasted only 22 hours. The majority maintained a 24-25 hour sleep/wake cycle. These studies suggest [blank_start]exogenous zeitgebers[blank_end] have little influence on our biological rhythms.

The main endogenous pacemaker for the sleep/wake cycle is the [blank_start]suprachiasmatic nucleus[blank_end], and the exogenous zeitgeber is [blank_start]daylight[blank_end].

One advantage of research into circadian rhythms is the practical application. This includes [blank_start]shift work[blank_end]- well-lit rooms and regular breaks. This improves production and decreases risk of harm. [blank_start]Drug treatment[blank_end] can also be improved- drugs are taken [blank_start]at certain peak times[blank_end] to be most effective.

Research into circadian rhytms (the sleep/wake cycle) used small samples and case studies. Why is this an issue?

Why could we say that there was poor control in studies into the sleep/wake cycle?

How often does the menstrual cycle occur?

Which two hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle 1. High levels of [blank_start]oestrogen[blank_end] cause the ovary to develop an egg 2. The egg is released 3. After [blank_start]ovulation[blank_end], [blank_start]progesterone[blank_end] thickens the lining of the womb. If an egg isn't fertilised, the womb lining is shed and leaves the body ([blank_start]menstrual flow[blank_end])

Which researcher investigated the menstrual cycle?

McClintock studied women with irregular menstrual cycles. He took samples of pheromones from 9 women during their cycle, and wiped them on the upper lip of 20 other women. What percentage of the women experienced changes to their menstrual cycle which synced them to their pheromone donor?

What does McClintock's study of the menstrual cycle highlight the role of?

When does Seasonal Affective Disorder affect sufferers of the disorder?

Seasonal Affective Disorder Lowered exposure to sunlight in the [blank_start]winter[blank_end] leads to larger quantities of [blank_start]melatonin[blank_end] being produced. As a result, less [blank_start]serotonin[blank_end] is produced, hence the lowered mood.

The sleep cycle is [blank_start]an ultradian[blank_end] rhythm; it involves 5 stages, and lasts [blank_start]90 minutes[blank_end]. Stage 1+2- light sleep, easy to wake. [blank_start]Alpha to theta waves[blank_end] Stage 3+4- deep sleep, difficult to wake. [blank_start]Delta waves[blank_end] Stage 5- REM sleep, the body is paralysed but the mind speeds up. [blank_start]Mixture of waves[blank_end]

Some psychologists suggest the menstrual synchrony has an evolutionary basis- menstruating together leads to falling pregnant around the same time, so the children could be cared for collectively. However, why may we actually question the validity of this statement?

Factors such as diet, stress and exercise affect the menstrual cycle

Dement and Kleitman carried out brain scans to study the sleep cycle. They would wake the participants up during different stages. At which stage would it be easiest to recall dreams?

What is the main advantage of research into SAD?

What the main endogenous pacemaker in humans?

What does the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) lie above in the hypothalamus?

DeCoursey destroyed the suprachiasmatic nucleus in 30 chipmunks. What effect did this have on their sleep/wake cycle?

Ralph transplanted the SCN cells of hamsters with 20-hour sleep/wake cycles to hamsters with regular 24- hour sleep/wake cycles. What effect did this have on the normal hamsters?

Which gland produces melatonin?

What is the name given to the other endogenous pacemakers found in the body other than the SCN, such as the liver and spleen?

Campbell and Murphy conducted a study in which a light pad was shone on the backs' of participants' knees at regular intervals during sleep. What did they find?

Other than light, what is another key exogenous zeitgeber?

What is one disadvantage of Campbell and Murphy's study into exogenous zeitgebers (shining light pads on the back of knees)?

Why might we say that the influence of exogenous zeitgebers is overstated?