Year 11 ATAR Psychology Task 2: Topic Test

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord and is responsible for processing, integrating, and coordinating responses to information received from the body.

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

The PNS includes all nerves outside the CNS and functions to transmit sensory information to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to the body.

What are the divisions of the PNS?

The PNS is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Controls voluntary movement by transmitting sensory information to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to skeletal muscles.

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Regulates involuntary bodily processes such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

What is the role of the sympathetic division?

Activates the body for fight-or-flight, increasing heart rate and inhibiting digestion.

What is the role of the parasympathetic division?

Promotes rest-and-digest, slowing heart rate and stimulating digestion.

What is the function of dendrites?

Receive incoming electrochemical signals from other neurons and carry them toward the soma.

What is the function of the soma (cell body)?

Integrates incoming signals and maintains the neuron's functioning.

What is the function of an axon?

Conducts electrical impulses away from the soma toward axon terminals.

What is the function of axon terminals?

Store and release neurotransmitters into the synapse to transmit signals to the next neuron.

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

Insulates the axon and increases the speed of neural transmission.

What is the function of sensory neurons?

Carry afferent signals from sensory receptors to the CNS.

What is the function of motor neurons?

Carry efferent signals from the CNS to muscles or glands.

What is the function of interneurons?

Connect sensory and motor neurons and are responsible for processing information.

What is the direction of neural transmission?

Information flows in one direction: dendrites → soma → axon → axon terminals → synapse → next neuron.

What type of signal is involved in neural transmission?

Neural transmission is electrochemical: electrical within neurons and chemical between neurons.

What is the role of a synapse?

A small gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron.

What is the function of the medulla?

Controls vital autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Coordinates balance, posture, and fine motor skills.

What is the function of the reticular formation?

Regulates arousal, alertness, and attention.

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Maintains homeostasis by regulating body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

What is the function of the thalamus?

Acts as a sensory relay station for incoming sensory information.

What is the function of the frontal lobe?

Responsible for executive functions including decision-making and personality.

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

Processes sensory information such as touch and temperature.

What is the function of the temporal lobe?

Involved in auditory processing and memory.

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

Responsible for visual processing.

What is the function of Broca's area?

Controls speech production.

What is the function of Wernicke's area?

Responsible for language comprehension.

What is the function of the prefrontal cortex?

Involved in decision-making and impulse control.

What is the function of the primary motor cortex?

Initiates voluntary movements.

What is the function of the primary sensory cortex?

Processes sensory input from the body.

What is the function of the primary auditory cortex?

Processes sound information.

What is the function of the primary visual cortex?

Processes visual information.

What does contralateral control mean?

Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

Allows communication between the left and right hemispheres.

What does EEG measure?

Measures electrical brain activity using electrodes on the scalp.

What does a CT scan measure?

Uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of brain structure.

What does an MRI measure?

Uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of brain structure.

What does fMRI measure?

Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygen.

What is neural plasticity?

The brain's ability to adapt and form new neural connections.

What is developmental plasticity?

Changes in the brain as part of normal growth and maturation.

What is adaptive plasticity?

The brain's ability to recover after injury.

What is proliferation?

Rapid production of neurons during early development.

What is migration?

Movement of neurons to their correct positions in the brain.

What is circuit formation (synaptogenesis)?

Formation of connections between neurons.

What is synaptic pruning?

Removal of unused or weak connections.

What is myelination?

Development of the myelin sheath.

What is the role of the amygdala?

Processes emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in adolescence?

Responsible for decision-making and impulse control.

What is the impact of cerebellum development in adolescence?

Improves coordination and motor control.

What is the impact of corpus callosum development in adolescence?

Enhances communication between hemispheres.

Why are adolescents impulsive?

The amygdala develops earlier than the prefrontal cortex.

What is a longitudinal study?

Studies the same participants over time to observe changes.

What is a strength of longitudinal studies?

Tracks true developmental change.

What is a limitation of longitudinal studies?

Time-consuming and expensive.

What is a cross-sectional study?

Compares different age groups at one time.

What is a strength of cross-sectional studies?

Quick and cost-effective.

What is a limitation of cross-sectional studies?

Affected by cohort effects.

What is random sampling?

Every member of the population has an equal chance of selection.

What is stratified sampling?

Sample reflects population proportions.

What is convenience sampling?

Uses easily available participants and is often biased.

What is snowball sampling?

Participants recruit other participants.

What is an independent variable (IV)?

The variable that is manipulated.

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

The variable that is measured.

What are controlled variables?

Variables kept constant to ensure valid results.

What is quantitative data?

Numerical data that can be statistically analysed.

What is qualitative data?

Descriptive data providing in-depth understanding.

What is objective data?

Measurable and unbiased data.

What is subjective data?

Based on personal responses.

Why is objective data more valid?

It is less affected by bias.

What is informed consent?

Participants must be fully informed before agreeing to take part.

What is confidentiality?

Personal information is kept private.

What are withdrawal rights?

Participants can leave at any time.

What is deception in research?

Misleading participants; must be justified.

What is a debrief?

Explaining the true purpose of the study after participation.