The Brain and Behavior - Biological Approach Flashcards

Question

DRAGANSKI ET AL (2004)

Answer 1

brain plasticity AIM: Find out whether the human brain can change structure in response to environmental demands PROCEDURE: Random sampling design, self-selected sample Randomly allocated a sample of volunteers into 2 groups One : jugglers Two : non-jugglers Made sure that both groups had no experience of juggling before the start of the experiment First MRI performed Participants in the juggler group subsequently spent three months learning a classic juggling routine with three balls Second MRI performed Participants in the juggler group spent three months where they were instructed not to practice juggling Third MRI performed FINDINGS: Prior to the start of the experiment there was no difference in brain structure Second scan the juggler had more gray matter in some areas of the cortex mostly the mid-temporal area Third scan differences decreased but jugglers denser gray matter If we practice something then our brain will increase and when we stop practicing then it will decrease again, but often not to its original state

Answer 2

Neurons (nerve cells) are a big reason behind behavior. The process by which the messages are sent is called neurotransmission. The electrical impulse traveling along the body of the neuron is called action potential. Neurotransmitters show to have a variety of effects on behavior. Mood, sleep, learning and memory, sexual arousal, and mental illnesses.

Answer 3

neurotransmitter - Consideration of memory in hippocampus

Answer 4

Control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. Key role in motivation; low levels are linked to addictive behavior

Answer 5

Sleep, arousal levels, and emotion

Answer 6

Arousal and alertness

Answer 7

NEUROTRANSMITTERS Decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing by hyperpolarizing the neuron. E.g. GABA.

Answer 8

NEUROTRANSMITTERS Increase the likelihood of a neuron firing by depolarizing the neuron. E.g. acetylcholine.

Answer 9

neurotrasmitters AIM: Investigate the role of acetylcholine on the formation and retrieval of memory PROCEDURE: 30 rats trained to learn a simple maze, but before memory was transferred into LTM, rats put into three groups G1: injected with scopolamine, intended to block the reception of acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter - this was the the no acetylcholine condition G2: injected with physostigmine, blocking cholinesterase, a drug which “cleans up” acetylcholine from receptor proteins, allowing the acetylcholine to continue to act. This was the high acetylcholine condition G3: injected with an inert saline solution - this was the control group Rats then placed back into the maze and ran multiple trials over two days, learning and memory was measured by comparing the amount of mistakes made while completing the maze First five and last five trials on day 1 taken as a measure of encoding, while the last five trials one day 1 and first five trials on day 2 were taken as a measure of retrieval RESULTS: The no-acetylcholine group showed a deficit in encoding, but not retrieval, making more mistakes during the last five trials of day 1 High-acetylcholine showed no deficit in encoding - made fewer mistakes during the last five trials on day 1 - but showed a deficit in retrieval → acetylcholine plays an important role in memory encoding, however too much acetylcholine may interfere with memory retrieval

Answer 10

AIM: To look at the importance of acetylcholine in encoding spatial memory in humans PROCEDURE: 20 healthy male adults partaking in double-blind study P. injected with either scopolamine - antagonist which blocks acetylcholine receptor sites, decreasing availability of acetylcholine - or a placebo 70-90 min before task Participants put into fMRI while playing “arena task” Virtual reality game in which the goal was to navigate a map and reach a pole, P. then had 30 seconds to rehearse the path taken before being dropped at a new starting point. Spatial memory was used to get to the pole P. trained in the game so they were familiar with rules and controls After training P.’s brain activity measured for 6 trials P. returned 3-4 weeks later and redid the task with the opposite treatment of their first trials FINDINGS: When P. were injected with scopolamine a significant reduction in the activation of the hippocampus was demonstrated in comparison to the placebo Scopolamine impairs memorisation of new information by decreasing activity within the hippocampus → acetylcholine may play a key role in the encoding of spatial memory in both rats and humans

Answer 11

produces a response by binding to a receptor on the cell acetylcholine is an agonist for the ACh receptor site

Answer 12

opposes the action by binding to the receptor - doesn't allow the neurotransmitter to do its job E.g. scopolamine for ACh

Answer 13

exogenous agonists (e.j. drugs)

Answer 14

Secreted by glands in endocrine system Released directly into bloodstream: take longer to produce changes in behavior But effects last longer than action potential Can only produce reaction in target cells: have appropriate cell for hormone When hormone binds to the target cell it either increases or decreases function Some hormones ‘act as neurotransmitters’, and work in the brain by targeting receptor sites on neurons synaptic gap even though it’s secreted by endocrine gland.

Answer 15

hormone Secreted by adrenal glands: responsible for arousal/’fight or flight’ response. Plays role in emotional memory formation.

Answer 16

hormone Secreted by adrenal glands: helps control blood sugar levels, regulates metabolism. Reduces inflammation & assists memory formation.

Answer 17

hormone Secreted by pineal gland: signals relaxation & lowers body temperature, which help with restful sleep.

Answer 18

hormone Produced by hypothalamus: acts as neurotransmitter in the brain. Stimulates: food intake, reduces anxiety & stress, reduces pain perception, affects circadian rhythm. Higher levels of NPY are linked to higher levels of resilience.

Answer 19

hormone Produced by hypothalamus & secreted by pituitary gland: acts as a neurotransmitter when affecting the brain. Plays role in mother-child attachment, possibly in social bonding & trust between people

Answer 20

Produced by testes: plays role in aggressive behavior → does not cause aggression but higher levels of testosterone leads to higher levels of aggression

Answer 21

a chemical substance that is produced and released by an animal which affects the behavior/physiology of others of their species. However, it’s not clear whether this is also true in humans.

Answer 22

primer pheromones signaling pheromones

Answer 23

slow, long-term physiological changes (hormonal effects)

Answer 24

rapid behavioral changes effects (mating)

Answer 25

anderostadienone (AND) estratetraenol (EST)

Answer 26

male semen and sweat

Answer 27

female urine

Answer 28

AIM: Investigate influence of MHC genes on mate selection in females PROCEDURE: Quasi-experimental study, 49 females and 44 males Female P. asked to report if using oral contraceptives, given nose spray to ensure nasal health, given a book to sensitize smell perception Male P. asked to wear shirt for two nights in a row, keep the shirt in a plastic bag between nights, given scentless soap & detergent to ensure natural smell, asked not to partake in activities which may alter their scent, i.e. smoke, drink alcohol, engage in sexual activities etc. When Female P. in second week after menstruation (when most sensitive to odor) P. were asked to rate odor of 7 shirts on intensity, sexiness and pleasantness 3 male P. with similar MHC genes, 3 with dissimilar MHC genes and 1 (unworn) control shirt Shirts placed in a cardboard box → double blind study FINDINGS: Female P. not on oral contraceptives rated dissimilar MHC higher on pleasantness, vice versa for P. on oral contraceptives Odors of MHC-dissimilar men reminded females of current/former mates → MHC diversity seems to influence mate selection supporting ToE (inc. survival) As oral contraceptives imitate steroids naturally released during pregnancy, P. may prefer partners who can help them take care of the children

The Brain and Behavior - Biological Approach Flashcards

(52 cards)