Biological approach

• What is meiosis?


  a process by which a new cell is formed by receiving half the pair of chromosomes from each parent's gametes
• What is the CNS?


  the central n

  ervous system - made up of the brain and spinal cord
• What is a neurotransmitter?


  a chemical substance that is responsible for passing messages from neuron to neuron via the synapse
• What is mitosis?


  a process by which cells divide to produce an exact replica of the original cell
• What is natural selection?


  the concept that within a species, the animals best suited to their environment are most likely to survive and pass on their genes
• What are genes?


  the basic physical and functional unit of heredity
• What is the ANS?


  the autonomic nervous system - controls automatic processes such as heart rate and is responsible for fight/flight response
• What is a synapse?


  the gap between two neurons, passes the chemical message from one neuron to another
• Main assumptions: genes


  genes are the genetic information carried by DNA in chromosomes, found within a cells nucleus; they are passed on through generations of species if individuals survive and successfully reproduce.

  in line with Darwin's theory, it might also follow, that genes form a basis of behaviour, as both behaviour and genes appear to be heritable.
• What is a genotype?


  the genetic configuration of an individual
• What is a phenotype?


  describes observable characteristics that are made up of combined effects of genetic makeup and surrounding environment on behaviour
• What is the nature-nurture debate?


  highlights a key argument in psychology, over the relative influence of biology and environment on characteristics of an individual
• How are messages carried in the body?

  electrical impulses enable internal communication that directs our behaviour, travelling around the brain and to/from the body via the nervous system. Impulses are transmitted between neurons (nerves) at synapes where neurotransmitters are released and inhibit or excite other neurons to achieve different responses
• Neurochemistry - imbalances


  neurochemical imbalances in the brain are often associated with abnormal behaviour - for instance evidence suggests that imbalances of dopamine are associated with mood disorders such as depression
• Neurochemistry - the endocrine system


  the endocrine system is a slower-acting communication system that regulates the circulation of hormones, released by glands into the bloodstream
• How do researchers study twins to investigate the role of genetics in behaviour?


  researchers investigate monozygotic or dizygotic twins. They look at the similarity of the twins and expect a higher level of similarity between monozygotic twins (eg. OCD on a genetic basis)
• What are concordance rates?


  the degree of genetic similarity for a particular trait
• What are the different lobes of the brain?

  frontal lobe

  parietal lobe

  occipital lobe

  temporal lobe
• What are the frontal lobe and occipital lobe responsible for?

  frontal - personality , decision making and movement

  occipital - analysing visual information
• What is the hippocampus involved in?


  memory and learning
• Describe two examples how neurochemicals may affect human behaviour.


  imabalnce of neurotransmitters can cause mental disorders eg. abnormal levels of serotonin can cause depression

  abnormal levels of dopamine can cause schizophrenia