3 Biological Psychology

Question 1

What is the role of the spinal cord in the CNS?

Answer 1

a pathway between the body and brain, carrying messages both inward and outward.

Question 2

When does the brain take over processing?

Answer 2

When information is more detailed or complex decisions need to be made, the brain takes over processing.

Question 3

What are neurons and what do they do?

Answer 3

nerve cells in the brain that pass information around and communicate with the rest of the body via the nervous system.

Question 4

What does an axon do?

Answer 4

An axon carries information away from the cell body towards the axon terminals.

Question 5

What are axon terminals?

Answer 5

hair-like ends of the axon that pass information on to another neuron.

Question 6

What is the function of the cell body in a neuron?
table or interactive format!

Answer 6

The cell body contains the nucleus and mitochondria, which provide the neuron with energy.

Question 7

What are dendrites?

Answer 7

extensions from the neuron that receive messages from other neurons and carry them to the cell body to possibly trigger an action potential.

Question 8

What is the myelin sheath?

Answer 8

fatty layer that protects the axon and speeds up transmission of nerve impulses.

Question 9

What is the Node of Ranvier?

Answer 9

one of the gaps in the myelin sheath, which help speed up nerve transmission by allowing the impulse to jump between gaps.

Question 10

What is the nucleus in a neuron?

Answer 10

part of the neuron that contains the genetic material (chromosomes).

Question 11

What are Schwann cells?

Answer 11

found in the myelin sheath and are responsible for producing myelin.

Question 12

How do neurons communicate?

Answer 12

synapses, which are tiny junctions between neurons. This allows the brain to process thoughts and memories.

Question 13

What is a synapse?

Answer 13

small gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of the next neuron, where neurotransmitters are released and passed on.

Question 14

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 14

chemical messengers that travel across the synapse to carry signals from one neuron to another.

Question 15

How do neurotransmitters work at the synapse?

Answer 15

The neurotransmitter crosses the synapse and binds to receptor sites on the surface of the target neuron — like a key fitting into a lock. Each receptor is shaped to fit only one type of neurotransmitter.

Question 16

What happens after the neurotransmitter binds to the receptor?

Answer 16

The chemical signal is converted back into an electrical impulse, continuing the signal inside the receiving neuron.

Question 17

What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory synapses?

Answer 17

• Excitatory synapses encourage the neuron to fire (release a neurotransmitter).
• Inhibitory synapses tell the neuron not to fire.

Question 18

What determines whether a neuron fires or not?

Answer 18

excitatory and inhibitory messages. If excitatory input outweighs inhibitory, it is more likely to fire — and vice versa.

Question 19

What is a common mistake to avoid?

Answer 19

information travels away from the cell body, not towards it.

Question 20

What is the term “potential” in neuroscience?

Answer 20

The term “potential” refers to a difference in electrical charges across the membrane of a neuron.

Question 21

What are the two types of potentials in neurons?

Answer 21

Neurons have two types of potentials:
1. Resting potential — when the neuron is inactive.
2. Action potential — when the neuron is actively transmitting a signal.

Question 22

What is the neural threshold?

Answer 22

The neural threshold is the minimum level of stimulation required for a neuron to change from resting potential to action potential.

Question 23

What happens when an action potential travels down the axon?

Answer 23

As an action potential travels down the axon, the polarity (positive and negative charges) changes across the membrane.

Question 24

What is meant by the “all or nothing” nature of action potentials?

Answer 24

Action potentials are considered an “all or nothing” event because once the threshold is reached, the neuron completely depolarises, and the action potential occurs fully.

Question 25

What happens after depolarisation during an action potential?

Answer 25

After depolarisation is complete, the neuron resets its membrane voltage back to the resting potential, returning to its inactive electrical state until the next stimulus.

Question 26

What factors influence the speed of conduction of an action potential?

Answer 26

The speed of conduction is influenced by: 1. The diameter of the axon — thicker axons conduct faster. 2. The axon’s resistance to current leak.

Question 27

What role does myelin play in the conduction of action potentials?

Answer 27

Myelin acts as an insulator, preventing current from leaking out of the axon, which increases the speed of action potential conduction.

Question 28

What is the Node of Ranvier?

Answer 28

A Node of Ranvier is a gap in the myelin sheath along the axon, where ion channels regenerate the action potential, allowing the signal to jump from one node to the next.

Question 29

How does the presence of Nodes of Ranvier affect action potential speed?

Answer 29

The Nodes of Ranvier allow the action potential to jump from node to node, greatly increasing conduction speed. Without these nodes, the action potential would spread much more slowly.

Question 30

What is resting potential?

Answer 30

Resting potential is the electrical potential maintained by an inactive neuron, before it is stimulated to fire.

Question 31

What is an action potential?

Answer 31

Action potential refers to the actual message or nerve impulse that travels down the axon to transmit information.

Question 32

What is synaptic transmission?

Answer 32

Synaptic transmission is the process by which information is transmitted from the axon of the presynaptic neuron to the dendrites or cell body of the postsynaptic neuron through the release of neurotransmitters.

Question 33

What is the synaptic cleft?

Answer 33

The synaptic cleft is the space between the axon of the presynaptic neuron and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron, where neurotransmitters travel across.

Question 34

What happens when the presynaptic neuron is stimulated?

Answer 34

When the presynaptic neuron is stimulated and produces an action potential, it releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Question 35

What happens after neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft?

Answer 35

Most of the released neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron, allowing the signal to be passed on.

Question 36

What is reuptake?

Answer 36

Reuptake is the process by which neurotransmitters that do not bind to receptors in the postsynaptic neuron are taken back up by the presynaptic neuron.

Question 37

What happens to neurotransmitters during reuptake?

Answer 37

The neurotransmitters taken back up by the presynaptic neuron are eventually destroyed so the neuron can return to its resting potential.

Question 38

What is the role of neurotransmitters in synaptic transmission?

Answer 38

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry the signal from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron across the synaptic cleft.

Question 39

How is information transmitted across a synaptic gap?

Answer 39

Synaptic transmission refers to how the nervous system transmits information across the synaptic gap, the physical space between nerve cells.

Question 40

How do recreational drugs affect the brain?

Answer 40

Recreational drugs change the way neurotransmitters work in the brain, altering the transmission of messages in the central nervous system.

Question 41

What is the brain’s reward pathway?

Answer 41

The reward pathway is a system in the brain that, when activated, causes pleasurable and rewarding feelings. It is strongly linked to the release of dopamine.

Question 42

⸻ Flashcard 3: How do drugs affect dopamine levels? A: Some drugs artificially increase dopamine release, which produces a feel-good factor. This can lead to cravings and repeated use. ⸻ Flashcard 4: How can drugs imitate neurotransmitters? A: Certain drugs mimic natural neurotransmitters, binding to receptor sites and activating them to send messages as if the natural chemical were present. ⸻ Flashcard 5: How can drugs block neurotransmission? A: Some drugs block receptor sites, preventing the natural neurotransmitter from binding and stopping the message from being passed on. ⸻ Flashcard 6: How do recreational drugs affect behaviour? A: By altering brain functioning, recreational drugs can change a person’s mood, perception, and behaviour. ⸻ Flashcard 7: Exam Tip — What should you be careful of when drawing diagrams? A: Make diagrams as accurate as possible — even small mistakes may lose marks in the exam. ⸻ Let me know if you want a quiz version of these, or visual aids to go with them! Here are your flashcards on the effects of specific recreational drugs in biological psychology (A-level Edexcel), written clearly with key terms to help you score marks: ⸻ Flashcard 1: What does caffeine do in the brain? A: Caffeine works by blocking chemical signals that make you feel sleepy, including blocking the reuptake of dopamine. It also improves reaction time, memory, and reasoning skills in moderate doses. ⸻ Flashcard 2: How does nicotine affect the brain? A: Nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by binding to its receptor molecules. It also increases dopamine transmission, activating the brain’s pleasure centre. ⸻ Flashcard 3: What is acetylcholine? A: Acetylcholine is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the brain involved in processes like attention and memory. Nicotine imitates its function. ⸻ Flashcard 4: How do amphetamines affect neurotransmission? A: Amphetamines increase dopamine and noradrenaline levels by reversing the reuptake process, leaving more dopamine in the synapse, creating a feel-good effect. ⸻ Flashcard 5: What does cocaine do to the brain? A: Cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine, causing more dopamine to remain in the synapse. It increases alertness and causes euphoria by exaggerating dopamine and noradrenaline activity. ⸻ Flashcard 6: How does heroin affect dopamine levels? A: Heroin increases dopamine in the brain’s reward pathways by boosting dopaminergic synapse activity, leading to euphoria. When this wears off, the user experiences dysphoria, leading to cravings for more heroin. ⸻ Flashcard 7: What is dysphoria in relation to heroin use? A: Dysphoria is a negative emotional state experienced after the effects of heroin wear off. It encourages the person to take more heroin to feel good again. ⸻ Flashcard 8: Exam Tip — What should you revise about drugs? A: Be confident in explaining the effects of at least three recreational drugs, using key terms like dopamine, reuptake, receptor sites, and neurotransmission. ⸻ Let me know if you want these in a printable format or turned into a quiz! Here are flashcards on the different parts of the brain and their functions, based on the information you provided: ⸻ Flashcard 1: What is the cerebral cortex? A: The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain, divided into two hemispheres: the left (verbal processing, speech, and mathematics) and the right (nonverbal processing, spatial perception, visual recognition, and emotion). ⸻ Flashcard 2: What is the function of the frontal lobe? A: The frontal lobe controls voluntary muscles, is involved in intelligence, personality, and higher mental processes like planning. ⸻ Flashcard 3: What does the parietal lobe do? A: The parietal lobe is involved in attention, motor control, processing spatial location, and perceiving pain, touch, and temperature. ⸻ Flashcard 4: What happens if the temporal lobe is damaged? A: Damage to the temporal lobe can lead to failure to store new information and problems understanding speech from others. ⸻ Flashcard 5: What does damage to the occipital lobe cause? A: Damage to the occipital lobe can cause cross-eyeing and blindness (partly or entirely) in the visual field. It processes visual information to help us understand what we see. ⸻ Flashcard 6: What is the role of the cerebellum? A: The cerebellum is crucial for voluntary tasks like walking and writing. It also helps maintain balance and keep us upright. ⸻ Flashcard 7: What does the corpus callosum do? A: The corpus callosum transmits neural messages between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Damage here prevents linking messages between the two hemispheres. ⸻ Flashcard 8: What is the amygdala responsible for? A: The amygdala is involved in emotions and motivations, especially those related to survival. It controls how we react to threatening or dangerous stimuli. ⸻ Flashcard 9: What is the function of the thalamus? A: The thalamus sorts and relays incoming information to various parts of the forebrain. ⸻ Flashcard 10: What is the limbic system? A: The limbic system is a group of structures in the brain, including the amygdala and hippocampus, that are involved in emotions and urges. ⸻ Let me know if you’d like to add more details or focus on another topic! Here are flashcards based on your notes about the amygdala and aggression: ⸻ Flashcard 1: What is the amygdala responsible for? A: The amygdala is responsible for controlling our instinctive emotional responses, including aggression. ⸻ Flashcard 2: How does stimulation of the amygdala affect behaviour? A: Stimulation of the amygdala increases aggressive behaviour. ⸻ Flashcard 3: What happens when the amygdala is damaged? A: Lesions (damage) to the amygdala reduce aggression and competitive drive. ⸻ Flashcard 4: What causes damage to the amygdala? A: Damage can occur due to stroke, tumour, or developmental problems (e.g. failure to grow properly). ⸻ Flashcard 5: How does amygdala damage affect fear responses? A: • Some damage may cause exaggerated fear responses. • Other damage may result in no fear response at all. ⸻ Flashcard 6: Why might the amygdala cause overt aggression? A: In overt aggression, the amygdala may misinterpret sensory or cortical information, leading to inappropriate, overly aggressive reactions. ⸻ Let me know if you want these in printable format or turned into digital flashcards (e.g. for Quizlet or Anki).