Biopsychology

what is the endocrine system

network of glands that secrete hormones in the body

what are the 7 glands make up the endocrine system

Hypothalamus

Pituitary gland

Pineal gland

Thyroid gland

Adrenal gland

Ovaries

testes

Hypothalamus function

stimulates and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland

what hormone/function does the pituitary gland secrete

ACTH → stimulates the adrenal cortex and the release of cortisol during the stress response

Oxytocin → uterus contractions during childbirth

hormone and function of the pineal gland

Melatonin → Responsible for biological rhythms ( sleep wake cycle)

function and hormone of the Thyroid gland

Thyroxine → regulates metabolism

function and hormones of the adrenal gland

adrenaline / non adrenaline → key hormones in flight or fight

Cortisol → stimulates release of glucose providing body with energy / suppresses the immune system

hormone and function of the ovaries

Oestrogen → regulates the female reproductive system

hormone and function of the testes

testosterone → development of male sex characterises

steps of Flight or flight

A stressor is perceived → Activates the amygdala which sends stress signals to the hypothalamus → Hypothalamus activates the SAM pathway → SNS ( sympathetic) stimulates the adrenal medulla → Adrenal medulla secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood stream

Function of adrenaline in the Flight or fight response

Increases heart rate → increases amount of oxygenated blood to the working muscles ( work better )

increases breathing rate → increases oxygen intake

pupil dilate → enhances vision ( more light enters eyes)

increases sweating → regulate temperature

what are the ways of studying the brain?

fMRI

post-mortem examination

EEG

ERP ( event - related potentials )

benefits of studying the brain

tells us about our behaviour and mental processes

how do fMRI work ( AO1)

measure changes in blood flow in particular areas of the brain indicates increased neural activity

Researchers are able to produce maps showing which parts of the brain are involved in particular brain activity.

uses Radio waves and magnetic fields

How do EEG work ( AO1)

Electrode are put on the scalp and detect neural activity

Able to detect various types of brain disorders such as tumours and epilepsy

what are post-mortem examinations ( AO1)

Areas of damage within the brain are examined after death

used to establish the underlying neurobiology of a particular behaviour

how do ERPs work ( AO1)

Electrode are put on the scalp and detect neural activity of brain with a external stimulus

what are the four lobes of the brain

frontal lobe

parietal lobe

occipital lobe

temporal lobe

Brain lobes ( Image)

what is the localisation theory?

suggests that certain areas of the brain are responsible for certain processes/ behaviour

what are the 4 areas of the brain ( AO1)

Motor cortex

Somatosensory cortex

Visual centres

Auditory Centres

where is the motor cortex located

Frontal lobe ( left and right hemispheres)

where is the auditory centre located

Temporal lobe

where is the somatosensory Cortex located?

parietal lobe ( Right and Left hemispheres )

where is the Visual centre located

located in the Visual cortex in the occipital lobe of the brain

Function of the motor cortex

Responsible for the generation of voluntary motor movements

Function of the somatosensory cortex

Detects sensory information and produces sensations

what does contralateral control mean

Both hemispheres are responsible for movement on opposite sides of the body

which areas of the brain have contralateral control

Motor cortex

somatosensory

function of the visual centre

Processes visual information

Function of the Auditory Centre

processes auditory information

what are the 2 language centres in the brain

Broca’s area

Wernicke`s area

function and location of Broca’s area

back of frontal lobe in left hemisphere

Critical for speech production

Location and Function of Wernicke’s area

back of temporal lobe in the left hemisphere

critical for speech comprehension

effects of damage to Wernicke’s area

able to speak but able to understand language

effects of damage to Broca`s area

difficulty in producing speech

difference between human and other animal brains

human cortex is developed and it appears as grey matter

what is lateralisation

lateralisation is the fact that the two halves of the brain are functionally different and have there own specialisation

what joins the two hemispheres together

corpus callosum this allows communication between the two hemispheres

what is hemispheric lateralisation ?

The left Hemisphere specialises in language, problem solving and reasoning

The Right hemisphere specialises in Visual motor task.

Sperry (1968) findings

information presented to the left hemisphere could be spoken , couldn’t be spoken if delivered to right hemisphere

Right hemisphere could draw or select object using left hand

what theory does Sperry findings support ?

Lateralisation and localisation theory suggests that language centres are located on the left side of the brain

what were the 3 tasks involved in sperrys experiment

Tactile task

Drawing task

Describe what you see task ( visual task)

Sperry experiment image

what is brain plasticity ?

The brain can adapt and change over time

why does brain plasticity occur?

As we gain new experiences, nerve pathways are used and develop stronger connections

neurons that are barely / never used die

how does age contribute to changes in the brain

as age increases , cognitive functioning naturally declines

what studys/ proccesses supports brain plasticity

Maguire et al ( taxi)

Kemperman et al ( rats)

fucntioning recovery of the brain after trauma

Maguire et al study and findings

studied brains of London taxi drivers using MRI

found larger volume of grey matter in posterior hippocampus than in control group

Positive correlation between size of posterior hippocampus and time as taxi driver

posterior hippocampus is associated with development of spatial and navigational skills

what are some structural changes that take place in the brain

Axonal sprouting

Reformation of blood vessels

Recruitment of homologous areas

Kemperman findings

Rats in the more complex environment showed a increased number of new neurons in brain ( especially hippocampus)

physical structure of brain changed

what is the functional recovery of the brain

After trauma unaffected brain areas can compensate and adapt for damaged areas

what happens to the brain during recovery

brain is able to rewire and reorganise itself to form new synaptic connections close to damaged area

secondary neural pathway are activated to continue functioning

results in the structural changes in the brain

what is Axonal sprouting

Growth of new nerve ending connects to undamaged nerve cells to form new neural pathways

what is Reformation of blood vessels

Activated areas of the brain experience higher deoxygenated blood level

what is the recruitment of homologous areas

homologous areas on opposite sides are used to perform specific tasks

danelli et al study and findings

E.B case study ( Removal of his LH)

RH can compensate for the language functions

Prefrontal activation likely reflects compensatory demands for complex tasks

what are the 3 types of biological rhythms 

Circadian 

Infradian 

Ultradian 

what are biological rhythms governed by 

endogenous pacemakers 

exogenous zeitgebers 

what are endogenous pacemakers ?

body’s internal biological clock

what are exogenous zeitgebers

external changes in the environment

Duration of the Infradian rhythm 

Longer then 24 hours 

Example of Infradian rhythm

menstrual cycle 

what controls the Infradian rhythm

the endogenous pacemakers are hormones

what are the endogenous pacemakers of the menstrual cycle

Oestrogen

when does ovulation occur

Occurs every 28 days

what is the duration for the Circadian rhythm

approximately every 24 hours

examples of Circadian rhythm

Sleep-wake cycle and body Temperature 

what time is the Peak and lowest body temperature

Peak is 6pm

Lowest is 4am 

why are Pacemakers constantly being reset

Synchronise our bodies rhythm with the outside world

what creates our circadian rhythm

Driven by out internal body clocks, found in every cell

synchronised by the Suprachiasmatic nuclei ( SCN) located in the hypothalamus

what external factors affect our Circadian rhythm 

Lightness determine when we feel the need to sleep and wake up

What are the 2 systems of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

what is the CNS composed off

brain

spinal cord

what is the PNS composed off

neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body

structure of the nervous system ( image)

what are the two systems of the PNS

somatic nervous systems

autonomic nervous systems

function of somatic nervous system

consciously controls voluntary muscle movement

Function of the autonomic nervous system

unconsciously controls involuntary activities such as heartbeat and digestion

what systems can the autonomic nervous system be split into?

parasympathetic nervous system

sympathetic nervous system

what is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Activates your flight or fight response

what is the neurotransmitter involved in the sympathetic nervous system?

noradrenaline

adrenaline

what is the neurotransmitter involved in the parasympathetic nervous system?

Acetylcholine

what is the sympathetic system affect on activity levels

Increases

what is the parasympathetic system affect on activity levels

Decreases

what are the 5 structures of the brain

Cerebrum

cerebellum

Hypothalamus

Medulla oblongata

Pituitary gland

function of cerebrum

control Higher brain function ( decision making)

function of Hypothalamus

maintain homeostasis

maintains temperature, control Ψ of blood and hormone production

what is the pituitary gland controlled by

hypothalamus

function of the pituitary gland

produces hormones and stimulates other glands

function of cerebellum

Coordinate muscular movement and maintain balance

function of medulla oblongata

controls involuntary functions

heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure

what are the three types of neurones?

Sensory,

relay

motor

what is the function of the Sensory neurones?

Transmit nerve impulses from receptors to the CNS

what is the function of the Motor neurones?

Transmit nerve impulse from the CNS to effectors

what is the function of the Relay neurones?

Transmit nerve impulse between sensory neurons and motor

Pathway of Nervous communication (image)

structure of neurons

Do neurones have all the normal cell organelles ?

YES

Functions of dendrites and dendrons ?

carry nerve impulses towards the cell body