biopsychology

Question 1

what is the process of synaptic transmission?

Answer 1

• nerve impulse travels down the axon
• then reaches synaptic terminal at presynaptic membrane and triggers release of neurotransmitters
• fired into the synaptic gap
• the neurotransmitters bind with receptors on the dendrite of the post synaptic neuron
• post synaptic receptors are activated by the neurotransmitter and either increase or decrease likelihood that the post synaptic neuron will fire an action potential
• eventually neurotransmitter molecules are cleared from synaptic gap via reuptake or via enzymes breaking down the transmitter

Question 2

what are the strengths of localisation of function?

Answer 2

• case study evidence
• Phineas Gage supports localisatiob as only frontal lobe was damaged which affected his personality
• all other aspects functioned normally which showed the part of the brain that controls personality is localised in the frontal lobe
• use of brain scans
• can be used to demonstrate how Wernicke and Broca’s area are different
• showed how Wernicke’s area was active during a listening task and Broca’s area was active during a reading task, suggesting that these areas of the brain have different functions
• supports how brain scans are highly objective and a scientific method of measuring activity in the brain as they produce high resolution images that provide a clear picture on how the brain is localised

Question 3

what are the weaknesses of localisation of function?

Answer 3

• however, case studies lack generalisability
• they are unique cases and can’t be applied to everyone’s brain
• in theory, there are other factors that may have contributed towards Gage’s changes in personality
• one case is not enough to make nomothetic conclusions on localisation
• neural plasticity
• the ability the brain has to remap and recover lost function when damaged
• other parts can adapt and grow new pathways and replace new functions
• EB?