Paper 2 - Biological Psychology Flashcards
What is a post-mortem
Patients brain studied after death
Used to investigate possible causes of abnormal behaviour
-TAN, found through post-mortem
What is an fMRI
Uses magnetic field and radio waves to monitor blood flow
Measures oxygen consumption indicating activity levels
Can identify abnormal activity compared to normal
What is an EEG
Measures electrical activity
25-30 electrodes placed on the scalp
Shows different waves (alpha, beta, delta and theta)
Used to show epilepsy
What is an ERP
Electrodes placed on the scalp
Measures voltage changes in the brain that are triggered by stimuli
What does the central nervous system consist of
The brain, the brain stem, the spinal cord
What does the peripheral nervous system consist of
The somatic nervous system, the autonomic nervous system
What does the somatic nervous system do
Carries sensory information from sensory organs to the CNS and relays motor commands to muscles
What does the autonomic nervous system consist of
Sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system
What does the autonomic nervous system do
Regulates involuntary bodily processes, operating without conscious direction, aka self-regulating
What does the somatic nervous system consist of
Sensory nerve pathways, motor nerve pathways
What does the sympathetic nervous system do
Prepares the body for action and stress
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do
Calms the body
What is the basic signalling unit of the nervous system
Neurones
What is carried between neurones
Electrical impulses
What happens when the post synaptic receptors are activated
Opening or closing of ion channels in the cell membrane
