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Biopsychology Flashcards

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10218386122What does a fMRI do?detects changes in blood flow in areas of the brain localises brain function ptts shown pictures/asked questions/to imagine things and researchers can see which brain points are activated0
10218386647strengths of fMRIdoesn't rely on radiation, non invasive and risk free1
10218387947weaknesses of fMRIexpensive requires patient to be still for a long time 5 second lag between brain activity and picture on screen cannot measure down to individual neutrons, only area of blood flow2
10218396082What does an EEG do?measures electrical activity in the brain via a cap with electrodes on the scalp produces a scan which shows brainwave patterns generated form millions of firing neutrons detects unusual arrhythmic patterns used in diagnosis of epilepsy3
10700325428identify 2 sub systems of nervous systemCNS central nervous system PNS peripheral nervous system4
10700331951identify the two parts of the CNSbrain and spinal cord5
10700336277whats the function of the spinal cordrelays info between brain and body6
10700372527identify 2 divisions of PNSSNS romantic ANS autonomic7
10700380742what two types of actions are controlled by SNSvoluntary reflexes8
10700385089what two types of actions are controlled by ANSnon-voluntary9
10700412445somatic nervous systemvoluntary and reflexes10
10700419805autonomic nervous systemnon-voluntary11
10700438573two branches of ANSsympathetic and parasympathetic12
10700454209whats the sympathetic branch of the ANS in control offight or flight13
10700459495what neurotransmitter does the sympathetic branch if the ANS releaseadrenaline14
10700464802whats the parasympathetic branch of the ANS in control ofrest and digest15
10700467473what neurotransmitter does the parasympathetic branch if the ANS releaseacetylcholine16
10700480056whats symptoms does the sympathetic brach have on the bodyinhibits digestion increases breathing dilates pupils inhibits saliva production17
10700488430whats symptoms does the parasympathetic brach have on the bodyheart rate returns to normal stimulates digestion18
10700497118name three types of neutronssensory, motor and relay19
10700501542explain the function of sensory neuronscarry information from senses to brains20
10700504112explain the function of motor neuronssend information telling body what to do21
10700504113explain the function of relay neuronslinks sensory to morot in CNS22
10721990627what is the role of dendrites in the process of synaptic transmission?they carry electrical signals into the cell body23
10721997601whats a synapse?a microscopic gap between axons and dendrites24
10722004676transmission along nerves is ......electrical25
10722025796transmission between nerves is ......chemical26
10722015909electrical signals travel along what, away from the synapse?dendrite27
10722032347whats another name for the end of a neuron?synaptic terminal28
10722045205what happens when the electrical signal reaches the synaptic terminal?release of neurotransmitters29
10722054941what neurotransmitters are released when an electrical signal reaches the synaptic terminal?serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, adrenaline30
10722072215what must neurotransmitters bind to in order to cross a synapse?the post-synaptic receptor site31
10722079704define excitationwhen a neurotransmitter increases the + charge of the neuron, increasing the likelihood of the neuron firing32
10722096506name an excitatory neurotransmitteradrenaline, acetylcholine33
10722103084define inhibitionwhen a neurotransmitter increases the negative charge of the neuron, decreasing the likelihood of the neuron firing34
10722125218name an inhibitory neurotransmitterserotonin35
10722136521whats is the endocrine system made up of?glands36
10722145741what is the endocrine system responsible for transmitting?hormones37
10722150515what medium do hormones travel through?bloodstream38
10722160785identify difference between the nervous and endocrine systems in terms of how the act, and effectshow they act -NS acts rapidly and directly controls body -ES acts slower and has more indirect control effects -NS has local and short lived effects -ES has diffuse and longer lasting effects39
10722191899what part of the brain directs all endocrine glands?hypothalamus40
10722198926which gland is the master gland?pituitary gland41
10722205816why is the pituitary gland known as the master gland?releases its own hormones, and also controls release of hormones that effect other glands42
10722220694what hormones are released by the anterior pituitary gland?ACHT, oxytocin43
10722225044where is ACHT released from?anterior pituitary gland44
10722246455where is oxytocin released from?anterior pituitary gland45
10722234724which hormone from the anterior pituitary gland is involved in the stress response?ACHT46
10722261197which hormone from the anterior pituitary gland is involved in attachment?oxytocin47
10722271868which gland is involved in fight or flight?adrenal gland48
10722276701where are adrenal glands located?on top of the kidneys49
10722285955from where in the adrenal gland is adrenaline released?adrenal cortex50
10722293693what hormone is released by the ovaries?oestrogen51
10722298380what does oestrogen regulate?menstrual cycle52
10722309219which behaviour is testosterone associated with?aggression53
10722314874which systems are involved in the fight or flight response?endocrine system, sympathetic branch of nervous system54
10722326363what is the fight or flight a response to?stress55
10722341489endocrine system in fight or flight responseSTRESSOR -> hypothalamus -> message to pituitary gland -> ACTH released -> adrenal cortex stimulated -> cortisol released56
10722359029what hormone is released by the endocrine system in response to fight or flight?cortisol57
10722366634how does cortisol prepare the body to deal with stressors?provides supply of glucose for energy58
10722370383negative long-term effects of regularly high cortisolsurpassed immune system, wounds heal slowly, more illness ect.59
10722386054sympathetic branch of the nervous system in fight or flightSTRESSOR -> adrenal medulla -> releases adrenaline and non adrenaline60
10722412195what are the physiological effects of adrenaline in fight or flight?increased heart rate increased blood flow to brain and muscles61
10722423179how does adrenaline help people in fight or flight?increased heart and blood flow -> increased energy -> increased blood flow to brain -> faster decision making62
10722440121negative long term effects of regular high adrenaline levelsincreased blood pressure and heart disease63
10722447766define 'localisation of function'different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes or activities64
10722451801name the 4 lobes of the cerebral cortexfrontal, parietal, occipital, temporal65
10722466591whats the main cortex in the frontal lobe?motor cortex66
10722466692whats the main cortex in the parietal lobe?somatosensory cortex67
10722468874whats the main cortex in the occipital lobe?visual cortex68
10722468875whats the main cortex in the temporal lobe?auditory cortex69
10722488806explain the term 'hemispheric lateralisation'one hemisphere of the brain is specialised for particular functions70
10722503292what does it mean that the brain is contra-lateral?to do with lateralisation, left hemisphere controls right side, and right hemisphere controls left71
10722513966which part of the brain is responsible for language?Broca's area72
10722520276where is Broca's area located?left frontal lobe73
10722538150how did Broca locate Broca's area?patient 'Tan' had difficulty speaking but could follow instructions74
10722552180which part of the brain is responsible for understanding language?Wernicke's area75
10722580287where is Wernicke's area located?left temporal lobe76
10722604116what was Wernicke's evidence for the location of Wernicke's area?patients produced fluent gibberish, showing lack of understanding77
10730979581what kind of studies are used to look at the brain, and what are some problems with them?case studies (hard to generalise), natural experiments (damage not manipulated, unsure what/if damage causes disfunction) and post-mortems (cannot check current behaviour)78
10730987377name a modern method used to look at brain cognitionbrain scanning79
10730988893outline Pearsons studybrain scanning Broca's are active during reading tasks (producing) Wernike's area active during listening (understanding)80
10730996444what studies support language being located in left hemisphere of the brain e.g. support brain localisationBrocka, Wernicke and Sperry (split brain)81
10730998787wo conducted research on split brain patientsSperry82
10731000762what condition was commissurotomy used to treat?epilepsy83
10731002067what does a commissurotomy involve?cutting the corpus callous, preventing epileptic discharges crossing both hemispheres making attacks less severe also prevents right and left hemispheres communicating84
10731013735what procedure involves cutting the corpus callous?commissurotomy85
10731038507outline sperry's procedurebrief exposure to stimuli on one side of viral feels used fixation point in mille of visual field86
10835473464An Infradian rhythm is one that takes ...more than 24 hours to complete87
10835480122A key example of an Infradian rhythm is the....menstrual cycle in women88
10835485198How long does the (average) menstrual cycle last?28 days89
10835493106What is the normal range of the cycle?Between 24 and 35 days90
10835496514Levels of which hormone regulate the menstrual cycle?Oestrogen91
10835505987What is the effect of rising levels of oestrogen?Ovary develops and releases egg92
10835509887Which hormone thickens the womb lining?Progesterone93
10835516048What is the function of progestorone?Prepares the womb for pregnancy94
10835518915About what % of women believe that their menstrual synchronise?80 %95
10835523827Outline the procedure of Stern & McClintock's study of synchronisationWomen's pheromones collected via armpit, applied to upper lip of other women96
10835531601What % of cycles moved closer to the ' doner ?68 %97
10835546215Has studies of women who live together found that their cycles synchronise?Mostly no, e.g., Trevathan98
10835556852Why might the results in these studies conflict with Stern & McClintock's finding?Dose of pheromone was very strong and directly experienced , i.e. , via upper lip99
10835560578Why might women believe that their menstrual ycles synchronise?Confirmation bias: notice when they occur together, ignore it when they don't100
10835565208Why might some research find evidence for (apparent) synchronisation?Chance: women's cycles vary randomly so will often coincide randomly quite often101
10880334316What meant by brain brain plasticity generally?The ability of the brain to adapt in light of various experiences102
10880343206Explain difference between 'normal plasticity and functional recovery''Normal' plasticity (developmental plasticity) i.e., under normal conditions, over time Functional recovery (adaptive plasticity) i.e. , after brain injury : can the brain recovers so that lost functions are regained?103
10880344213What happens to synapses over childhood adolescence?Peak at age 2-3, synaptic pruning occurs until adolescence, rarely used connections deleted104
10880344835Identify 2 groups of people for whom research has demonstrated brain plasticity in adulthoodTaxi drivers (Maguire) Medical students (Draganski)105
10880345368In Maguire's study of taxi drivers, what was the difference in the brain between taxi drivers and a control group?More grey matter in posterior hippocampus106
10880346460What correlation did Maguire also find?Between time in job and grey matter107
10880347010When were the students in Draganski's study tested?3 months before and after final exams108
10880347580Draganski also found differences in the hippocampus after the exams. Where else?Parietal cortex109
10880348070What do these, and other results, suggest about the brain in adulthood?That it continues to develop and adapt over the lifetime under 'normal' conditions110
10880349107Name 3 brain processes that enable functional recovery to occurAxonal sprouting Recruitment of homologous areas on opposite side of the brain (substitution) Adaptive plasticity in adjacent cortical structure111
10880350436Explain what is involved in axonal sproutingAxons of surviving neurons grow new branches allowing the development of new synaptic pathways; this occurs in most part two weeks after the damage happens112
10880350914Explain what is involved in recruitment of homologous areasSimilar structure in opposite hemisphere takes over functions of damaged parts113
10880357160Explain what is involved in adaptive plasticity in adjacent cortical structureNeighbouring parts of the brain take over functions of damaged part114
10880358458In the case study of Jody, what illness did she have and how was it treated?Epilepsy, removal of right hemisphere of brain115
10880359196Which of the above 3 processes must have occurred to allow her to recover?Recruitment of homologous areas116
10880360183What evidence did Seitz find for recruitment of homologous areas?Brain scans show that those who have damage to the motor area in one hemisphere display metabolic changes in corresponding motor area n the other hemisphere117
10880360800What factor meant that Jody had a higher chance of recovery than others?Age:young brain is more adaptable118
10880361167In which group of people did Teuber find age was an important factor in functional recovery?Soldiers119
10880361692what % of soldiers aged under 20 and over 26 made significant improvement?Under 20 : 60 % Over 26 : 20 %120
10880361991In the case study of Gabby Giffords, what happened to her?Shot in head121
10880362878Doctors placed her in the top 5 % in terms of recovery: what probably allowed her to make such a strong recoveryEducation /cognitive reserve122
10880363214What had caused the injuries to the group of people studied by Schneider?Road accidents and falls123
10880367081What % of graduates and high school drop outs made a full recovery in schneiders studyGraduates : 39 % Grop - outs : 10 %124
10880368292Identify 1 possible confounding variable in Teuber's studyLength of time in army/amount of trauma more in older soldiers?125
10880369509Identify 1 possible confounding variable in Schneider's study(Innate) intelligence: not education itself126
10880381204Name the 4 ways of studying the brainScanning techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Electroencephalograms (EEGs) Event related potentials (ERPs) Post- mortem examinations127
10880382946What is the aim of fMRIs and other scanning techniques?To identify which parts of the brain are involved in cognitive activities, i.e., to identify localisation of function128
10880384138What does the BOLD response stand for?Blood Oxygen Level Dependent129
10880385494Use this information explain how fMRIs workfMRIs identify changes/ differences in blood flow, as indicated by oxygen levels, which indicate which areas are more active130
10880385698Which type of resolution is high in fMRIs?Spatial131
10880386063What does this mean?fMRIs identify precisely where activity is occurring132
10880386473Which type of resolution is low in fMRIS?Temporal133
10880386824What does this mean?fMRIs do not identify precisely when activity is occurring134
10880387535How long is the time lag between activity and measurement in fMRIsApproximately 5 seconds135
10880388348Identify 2 reasons why fMRIs have largely replaced other scanning techniquesSafer than PET scans (no radiation) More precise than other techniques136
10880389102Identify 2 reasons why fMRIs might not be used as often as researchers might wantExpensive and based in hospitals Scary for some pps to get in137
10880390043EEGs measure the electrical activity of..Neurons138
10880390670Activity in the brain is indicated by the shape ofBrain waves139
10880391321In which area of research have EEGs been especially useful?Stages of sleep (ultradian rhythms)140
10880393991Identify one group of people who display very distinctive brain waves (sometimes)Epileptics141
10880394703Which type of resolution s high in EEGS?Temporal142
10880395573Which type of resolution is low in EEGs?Spatial- they only indicate whole brain activity143
10880396122What is the other main limitation of EEGs?Do not identify specific brain wave associated with specific mental activities when awake144
10880396829Which of the 2 problems above do ERPs address?Shape of the wave problem145
10880397939How do they do this?Give same task numerous times and average results to cancel out 'noise'146
10880398864Do ERPs identify the precise shape of the brain wave thus recorded?No: too many variables involved147
10880399887Which type of resolution is high and which is low in ERPs?High: temporal Low: spatial148
10880401457How is the aim of post-mortems similar to that of fMRIs?To identify localisation of function149
10880402179How do they do this?Involve individuals who showed cognitive / behavioural deficits while alive, identify areas identified was responsible for ability that was of damage in post-mortem, suggests area deficient150
10880402883What type of experiment can post-mortems be seen as?Natural: accident/ damage - IV, comparison made to normal functioning151
10880407600Identify 2 classic, 19h century, case studies on localisation of language centresBroca and Wernicke152
10880409372Gven that they are natural experiment, what problem of causality arises?Hard to give consent if brain- damaged, impossible after death153
10880412650How long do circadian rhythms last?24 hours154
10880412842Circadian rhythms govern whic h cycle?Sleep wake cycle155
10880413186What term refers to the internal factors that govern the sleep- wake cycle?Endogenous pacemakers156
10880414514Which part of the brain is the master clock for the sleep-wake cycle?Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)157
10880414806Which chemical is released by the pineal gland?Melatonin158
10880415236Which part of the brain does the SCN then send messages to?Pineal gland159
10880415629Which term is used to refer to the external factors that govern the sleep- wake cycle?Exogenous zeitgebers160
10880416188What is the main exogenous zeitgeber that triggers the release of melatoninDarkness, i.e., absence of light161
10880416453Apart from at night, when is there also a dip in circadian rhythmsMid afternoon162
10880416824Which 2 groups of people often sleep at this time?nfants and the elderly163
10880417254Who found that performance on cognitive tasks was worse in mid- afternoon?Blake164
10880417601Who did a case study in which he lived in a cave without access to natural light?Siffre165
10880417940How long was Siffre's cycle?25 hours166
10880420120How else has the free- running cycle been investigated?By bunker studies, in which larger Ns of pps are isolated from natural light167
10880421601What did Aschoff & Wever find in their bunker study?Cycles were between 24 and 25 hrs168
10880422837Czeisler reviewed cave / bunker studies and found that the average cycle lasted about 25 hours. What did he also find?That there was a large variation between individuals: between 13 and 65 hours169
10880423096Why would these findings be puzzling on evolutionary grounds?Why would evolution lead to cycles that were out of sync with the actual length of the day?170
10880423531What methodological problem has been identified with cave /bunker studies?Pps had voluntary access to artificial light, which may affect the length of the cycle171
10880424586How much variation was there between individuals in Czeisler's study?Very little: most were 24 hours172
10880425656What did Czeisler find was the average length of the free-running cycle in his bunker study?Just over 24 hours173
10880426256How has this been investigated?By bunker studies in which clocks run fast or slow to test if the cycle can be shortened or lengthened respectively174
10880428224To what extent does research suggest that the cycle can be shortened?Folkard could not shorten it to 22 hours, Czeisler could175
10880429864To what extent does research suggest that the cycle can be lengthened?Czeisler stretched the cycle out to 28 hours176
10880430739How does what we know about jet lag help us to understand why the cycle cannot be shortened by much, but can be more easily lengthened?To shorten the cycle requires sleeping earlier than is 'normal', just as travelling East requires going to sleep earlier: this is difficult. To lengthen the cycle requires staying up later than is 'normal', just as travelling West requires staying up later; this is easier177
10880433029Which 2 groups of people are useful test cases for this?Babies and the blind178
10880433298What has research found about hovw sleep-wake cycles develop in babies?Random at first, cycle emerges by 6 weeks, full cycles by 16 weeks179
10880433561Identify 2 ways in which this could be interpretedCycle develops due to entrainment Cycle is on a maturational timetable i.e. , inconclusive about role of light180
10880434401Summarise results on sleep- wake cycles from studies of the blind, and what they seem to showSignificant disruption to the cycle, and this is worse in the more profoundly blind > strongly suggests that light is a key zeitgeber181
10880434677Identify the other main type of exogenous zeitgeber and 2 examples of this typeSocial cues , i.e. meal times and clocks182
10880436104What advice would you give to parents trying to get their babies to develop a regular sleep- wake cycle?Main sleeps at night and mid- afternoon: exploits natural increases in sleepiness, sleep in absolute darkness to induce release of melatonin, impose sleep schedule Turn on lights to wake baby at end of periods of sleep to maintain regular pattern of sleep /wakefulness Arrange mealtimes significantly before after periods of sleep183
10880437773What is an Ultradian rhythm?Biological rhythm occurs once in 24 hours184
10880438147What are the 2 types of sleep?REM and NREM185
10880438766How many stages are there of NREM sleep?4186
10880439073What does REM stand for?Rapid Eye Movement187
10880439401What does this show about brain activity?Becoming less active188
10880439725What happens to brain waves as people move from stage 1 of NREM sleep to stage 4?They become less frequent and less intense189
10880440082Identify the order of the 4 types of brain wave across NREM sleepBeta- alpha- theta- delta190
10880441794What happens to brain waves in REM sleep?They become more frequent and intense191
10880442088What do people do in REM sleep?Dream192
10880442741Roughly how long does each cycle of sleep last?90 minutes193
10880443419What happens to the length of stages 3+4 sleep and REM sleep over the course of the night?3+4 become shorter; REM becomes longer194
10880443846Why might this happen?3+4 allow body to recover more first; REM allows brain to reorganise itself more later195
10880447636Who initially found evidence for Normal sleep hypnogramDement & Kleitman196
10880450406What method for studying the brain did Dement & Kleitman use?EEGS197
10880450656Roughly what % of awakenings of pps during REM sleep led to dream reports?80 %198
10880451339Roughly what % of awakenings of pps during REM sleep led to dream reports?7 %199
10880451820How might the study lack ecological validity?Sleeping in lab may disrupt sleep patterns200
10880452578Is this likely to be a big problem?Seems unlikely it would flip people's brains to have dreams in different stages201
10880453082How was the sample problematic?Small: N-9, and unrepresentative by gender202
10880454660is this likely to be a big problem?No. Results very different and replications have confirmed the original findings203

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