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Psychology AQA > Biological Approach > Flashcards

Biological Approach Flashcards

(65 cards)

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1
Q

Genotype

A

An individuals collection of genes
Their actual genetic makeup
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2
Q

Phenotype

A

An individuals observable traits like higher and eye colour

Often influenced by environment

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3
Q

Monozygotic

A

(One)
Conception of identical twins
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4
Q

Dizygotic

A

Conception of fraternal twins

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5
Q

Genetics

A

Physical genetic makeup

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6
Q

Heredity

A

Inherited from parents and ancestors

Traits, tendencies, characteristics

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7
Q

Concordant/ concordance

A

Having the same characteristics in twins

How likely twins are to have the same traits

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8
Q

Discordant/discordance

A

Twins having different traits

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9
Q

Chromosomes

A

Made of a strand of DNA
A section of the strand is the gene
Have 23 pairs
People with down syndrome have 47 chromosomes

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10
Q

Genes

A

Made up of DNA
Carry the information that determines your traits
More than 200 genes

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11
Q

DNA

A

Helix structure

DNA molecules allow genetic information to be passed to next generation

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12
Q

Do we have genes for behaviour?

A

No

The genes synthesise protein which affects our physiology (brain). This influences our body and behaviour

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13
Q

Assumption of the biological approach

A

The brain and mind are the same so you can study the mind by studying the brain
Psychology is a science so study scientifically
Behaviour can be explained in terms of genes, hormones and nervous system responses
Behaviours have an evolutionary basis
Genes have evolved over millions of years allowing our behaviour to adapt to the environment

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14
Q

Examples of behaviour that may have an evolutionary basis

A

Aggression
Gender roles
Sexual orientation

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15
Q

How much chromosomes do the sex (sperm and egg cell) have?

A

23 chromosomes

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16
Q

Chromosomes are our genotype and form the basis for our development
Genes are responsible for our growth and development. They also organise the repair of damaged cells and tissue

A
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17
Q

Size order of genes, chromosomes and DNA?

A

Smallest is genes. They’re sections of DNA carrying genetic information. (The ingredients)

DNA is the helix structure that contains genetic instructions. (The recipe)

Biggest is chromosomes the structure made up of genes, contains 46. (Recipe book)

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18
Q

Difference between genotype and phenotype?

A

Genotype only reveals genes not environment
Phenotype is the product of what happens when an individual interacts with the environment. Like height can be affected by poor living conditions

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19
Q

Evaluation of the methods the biological approach uses

A

They use precise, scientific methods like fmris, eegs, family + twin studies and drug trials. So the approach is based on reliable data

They use quantitative data
But some behaviours can’t be explored further

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20
Q

Order of the nervous system

A

Nervous system
Peripheral NS
Central NS

Somatic
Autonomic

Spine
Brain

Sympathetic NS
Parasympathetic NS

Cerebellum
Brain stem
Cerebral hemisphere

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21
Q

nervous system

A

Gives a biological basis for psychological experiences

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22
Q

Central nervous system

A

Brains main job is to make sure life is maintained in humans
The brains roles includes mental processes like thinking

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23
Q

Peripheral NS

A

To transmit messages through the millions of neurones to the whole body from and to the brain
It’s broken down into 2 areas

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24
Q

Somatic system

A

To transmit and receive messages from the senses like visual from the eyes and auditory from ears.
Also controls muscle movement
Receives information from sensory receptors

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25
Autonomic system
Transmits and receives information from organs Governs vital functions in body like heart rate and digestion This is also divided into 2 systems
26
Sympathetic NS
Controls raised arousal e.g response to fear | S for shoot (stimulates ejaculation)
27
Parasympathetic NS
Fight or flight Supports body activities in low levels of arousal, controls initial stages of sexual activity P for point (stimulates erection)
28
Spine (central NS)
Controls reflexes and automatic behaviours Spinal cord facilities messages to and from the brain to the PNS Also involved in reflex actions like knee jerking
29
Brain
Controls higher mental functions and basic life processes
30
Cerebellum
Controls skilled movement and sense of balance
31
Brain stem
Controls basic processes like sleeping and breathing
32
Cerebral hemisphere
Complex psychological functions | E.g memory, vision, hearing and reasoning
33
Sensory neuron
Activates by our senses and communicate directly with CNS Also called unipolar as they only transmit messages
34
Relay/ inter neurons
Connecting neurons Found only in CNS and connect all neurons to other neurons Located in spine Multipolar as they send and receive messages from many sources
35
Motor neurons
Carry info from the CNS directly to the glands and muscles causing them to contract (reflex) Multipolar
36
Explain reflex behaviour touching a hot pan
Th sensory info about the heat is detected and passed to the CNS be sensory neurons They pass the message onto relay nueron in the spinal cord This sends a message down a motor neuron to the muscles. The muscles contract causing you to withdraw your hand Normally the spinal cord alone can generate a response but if information is more detailed or decision making is more complicated the brain takes over the processing role
37
Axon
The part of the neuron that takes info away from the cell body
38
Axon terminals
The hair like ends of the axon
39
Cell body/ soma
The part of the cell that contains the nucleus
40
Dendrites
Extensions from the cell body that take info to the cell body
41
Myelin sheath
Fatty substance that surrounds and protects some nerve fibres
42
Nodes of ranvier
One of the many gaps in the myelin sheath
43
Nucleus
The part of the neuron that contains chromosomes (genetic material)
44
Schwann’s cells
Cells that produce myelin | Located within the myelin sheath
45
Synaptic transmission
The process where one neuron communicates with another Info is passed down the axon as an electrical impulse which triggers the release of neurotransmitters It then crosses over the synaptic gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron They then bind to receptor sites which completes the process
46
Job of Neurotransmitters
Carry chemical messages from one neuron to the next target cell
47
Excitatory potential
Speeds up firing
48
Inhibitory potential
Slows down so decreased firing
49
Example of neurotransmitters
Dopamine Serotonin Melatonin
50
Endocrine system
Consists of all the glands in the body and the hormones they produce It’s controlled by the CNS and chemical messages in the blood The job of the system is to maintain stable biological functions (homeostasis)
51
Hormones
Released by glands and are usually transported in the bloodstream They regulate growth + development, reproduction, sleep, mood and tissue function
52
What is the endocrine system made up of
``` Pituitary gland Thyroid gland Parathyroid gland Adrenal glands Pancreas Ovaries Testicles ```
53
Hormones pt. 2
Hormones travelling through the bloodstream reach their target organ at a much slower pace than electrical messages They’re not broken down as quickly as neurotransmitters do the effects can last for a longer time They travel all over the body but only picked up by receptor sites on cells that are directly affected by the hormones (target cells) in target organs They are secreted when a gland is stimulated. This is because of a chemical message or by a change in concentration of another substance
54
Glands and their functions
The endocrine system is designed to create balance within the body. If a hormone is too low then the endocrine system will release more If a hormone is too high then the system will send a message to prevent that hormone from being released
55
Pituitary gland
Controls all other endocrine glands | Influences growth, metabolism and regeneration
56
Hypothalamus
Regulates hunger, thirst, sleep and wakefulness | And Most of your involuntary mechanisms including body temperature
57
Thyroid glands
Regulates your energy and metabolism Metabolism = conversion of nutrients into energy and building materials to meet your body’s needs
58
Pancreas
Helps digestion of protein, fats and carbohydrates | Produced insulin which controls blood sugar levels
59
Ovaries
Influences how your blood circulated and determines your mental vigor and sex drive (Testes in males)
60
Parathyroid
Secretes the hormones necessary for calcium absorption
61
Thymus
Helps build resistance to disease
62
Adrenal glands
Secretes hundreds of compounds including cortisone and adrenaline which helps you react to emergencies Regulates your metabolic processes in the cells, water balance, blood pressure
63
Fight or flight
Involves both endocrine and nervous system In the initial shock response when threatened the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system This stimulates the adrenal medulla within the adrenal glands which releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream The hormones affect the body. So heart increases and pupils dilate etc These changes in the body preserve energy and ensure the body is ready for action. So we’re prepared for a stressful situation
64
Positive evaluations of biological approach
Scientific methods is investigation so data is reliable Real life application. Knowing the mental processes helps us understand depression and drug treatments. Helps people manage their conditions rather than staying in hospital
65
Limitations of biological approach
Casual conclusions. Their explanation for mental illness is neurotransmitters in the brain. It claims to have discovered causes but there’s only an association Determinist view of behaviour. It sees behaviours governed by internal causes. This has implications for wider society like in legal system. Might make it difficult if they think there’s a criminal gene Can’t separate nature and nurture. With twins there’s a confounding variable they’re exposed to similar environmental conditions

Psychology AQA (4 decks)

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