CHAT 1

Question 1

Biological psychology

Answer 1

The study of how the brain , nervous system and genes influence behaviour and mental processes.

Question 2

What is Human Behavior in Biological Psychology?

Answer 2

An input of the brain and body influenced by neural, hormonal and genetic processes. It is viewed trough 4 perspectives.

1. ONTOGENIC - how does behaviour develop in an individual
2. PHYSIOLOGICAL - how is behaviour related to the brain and other organs
3. EVOLUTIONARY - how did behaviour develop
4. FUNCTIONAL - what is the function of behaviour

Question 3

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems

Answer 3

They are part of autonomic nervous system.

SYMPATHETIC - fight or flight, it prepares our body for vigorous action it increases our heart rate and respiration and it lowers our digestion.

PARASYMPATHETIC - rest or digest, helps our body relax it lowers our heart rate and respiration and increases our digestion.

Question 4

Endocrine System: Pituitary & Pineal Gland

Answer 4

PITUITARY GLAND - aka master gland, it controls hormone production and release across the body it is influenced by the hypothalamus, it has 2 parts

Anterior - produces hormones ACTH, TSH, GH

Posterior - releases oxytocin and vasopressin

PINEAL GLAND - releases melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep

Question 5

CNS and PNS Overview

Answer 5

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) - the brain and spinal cord

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS) -

Somatic - voluntary muscle control

Autonomic - sympathetic and parasympathetic (involuntary actions, heartbeat)

Question 6

Stress Response and Fight-or-Flight

Answer 6

1. The immediate response - it activates fight or flight (sympathetic ns)
2. Long-term stress - H-P-A axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) releases cortisol

Cortisol - it boosts our energy but long term exposure can damage and immunity

Question 7

Hormones Involved in Stress

Answer 7

Cortisol - Increases blood sugar ,Suppresses immune system, Enhances metabolism of fats and proteins, Helps the body respond to prolonged stress

Adrenaline - prepares body for fight or flight, increase s heart rate and respiration

Noradrenaline - increases alertness and arousal

ACTH - helps produce cortisol

CRH - helps release ACTH

Question 8

Brain Stem and Major Brain Parts

Answer 8

BRAIN STEM - midbrain + hindbrain

MEDULLA - breathing and heart rate

CEREBELLUM - balance and coordination

MIDBRAIN- sensory info

FOREBRAIN - higher cognitive functions

PONS - coordinates movement

Question 9

Action Potential (Definition Only)

Answer 9

An electrical signal travelling down the neuron’s axon enabling signal transmission.

Question 10

Neuroscience Techniques

Answer 10

SPATIAL :

PET - poor (t), moderate (s)
MRI - excelent (s)
fMRI - excellent (s) poor (t)

TEMPORAL :

MEG - good (s), excellent (t)
EEG - poor (s), excellent (t)