The biological approach

Question 1

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The biological approach

Answer 1

a perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neutral function

Question 2

genes

Answer 2

they make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes the physical features of an organism and psychological features. Genes are transmitted from parents to offspring

Question 3

biological structure

Answer 3

an arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system, or living thing

Question 4

neurochemistry

Answer 4

relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning

Question 5

genotype

Answer 5

the particular set of genes that a person possess

Question 6

phenotype

Answer 6

the characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment

Question 7

evolution

Answer 7

the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

Question 8

natural selection

Answer 8

the main principle of this theory is that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival (and reproduction) will continue in further generations

Question 9

scientific methods

strength

Answer 9

Based on objective and reliable data
- Precise and highly objective methods
- fMRIs and EEGs
- Accurately measure physiological and neural processes

Question 10

antidepressants dont work for everyone

limitation

Answer 10

Does Not work for everyone
- Cipriani (2018) compared 21 different antidepressants and found variations in effectiveness
- Mainly modest
- Brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases

Question 11

nervous system

Answer 11

consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Communicates using electrical signals.

Question 12

central nervous system

Answer 12

consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions

Question 13

peripheral nervous system

Answer 13

sends information to the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body

Question 14

somatic nervous system

Answer 14

transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act.

Question 15

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 15

transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. It is ‘automatic’ as the system operates involuntarily. It has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Question 16

two main functions of the nervous system

Answer 16

-Collect, process, respond to information in the environment
-Co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body

Question 17

endocrine system

Answer 17

one of the body’s major information systems that instructs to release hormones directly into the bloodstream. These hormones are carried towards target organs in the body. Communicates via chemicals.

Question 18

glands

Answer 18

An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones

Question 19

hormones

Answer 19

Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and only affect target organs. They are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly. Their effects are very powerful.

Question 20

fight or flight response

Answer 20

The way an animal responds when stressed. The body becomes physically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or flee

Question 21

adrenaline

Answer 21

A hormone produced by the adrenal gland

-Stress hormone
-Adrenal medulla
-Triggers physiological change in body

Question 22

bike brake

parasympathetic action

Answer 22

-Bodies resting state
-Opposite to sympathetic ( antagonistic )
-Acts as ‘brake’

Question 23

neuron

Answer 23

the basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells, that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals

Question 24

Sensory neurons

Answer 24

these carry messages from the PNS peripheral nervous system to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons.
-located in PNS in clusters ( ganglia )

Question 25

relay neurons

Answer 25

These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dextrons and short axons.
-97% of all neurons, located within brain and the visual system

Question 26

motor neurons

Answer 26

these connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons.
- located in CNS but have long axons which are part of PNS

Question 27

synaptic transmissions

Answer 27

the process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap that separates them

Question 28

neurotransmitters

Answer 28

brain chemicals release from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.

Question 29

excitation

Answer 29

When a neurotransmitter, such as adrenaline, increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 30

inhibition

Answer 30

when a neurotransmitter, such as serotonin, increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron will pass on the electrical impulse

Question 31

real world application

strength

Answer 31

Real world application
- Understands neurochemical processes
- Psychoactive drugs such as antidepressants
- Increase levels of serotonin at synapses
- Depressed people can manage their systems

BUT antidepressants dont work for everyone Cipriani et al

Question 32

deterministic

limitation

Answer 32

Determinist
- Too simplistic and ignores the mediating effects of the environment ie nurture
- but phenotype influenced by environment