chapter 1 biological psychology exam questions

• Still pictures


  single static images that are two-dimensional. examples: Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Dynamic pictures


  three-dimensional images that change in real time. Example: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• Structural imaging


  neuroimaging techniques produce scans showing brain structure. Example: CT and MRI techniques are used to determine structural details, including tissue damage, brain atrophy, enlarged regions, bleeding, and tumours.
• Functional imaging


  neuroimaging techniques produce scans showing brain functions in real-time. Example: fMRI
• Temporal resolution


  is the ability to detect when brain activity occurs. Example: EEG
• Spatial resolution


  is the ability to differentiate which specific part of the brain is active. Example: fMRI.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)


  a functional technique that shows brain activity in real-time. Electrodes are placed on the scalp, and electrical activity in the brain is detected and then carried via wires to the recording machine.
• Uses of EEG

  • able to help diagnose epilepsy
  • recordings can help analyse sleep research
  • shows brain activity during tasks
  • can confirm if patient in a coma is brain dead
• Strengths of EEG

  • high temporal resolution, meaning it can detect rapid changes in brain waves
  • it is a safe and non-invasive process as electrical activity is measured and not run through the body
• Limitations of EEG

  • has a low spatial resolution, meaning that the precise location of neural activity is unclear.

  it can be a messy procedure as conductive gel is placed on each electrode which is then pressed onto the scalp.
• Computed tomography (CT)


  neuroimaging technique that produces still pictures. It uses a rotating beam of X-rays which takes multiple X-ray images.
• Uses of CT

  • can check for skull fractures
  • can diagnose brain tumours
  • can measure the size of a tumor
  • can asses brain injury from trauma
• strengths of CT

  • patients with metal implants can have this scan.
  • CT scans can image bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels at the same time
• Limitations of CT

  • the patient is exposed to ionising radiation, which can slightly increase the likelihood of cancer later in life.
  • not suitable for pregnant women as the ionising radiation may damage the foetus.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)


  structural imaging technique the produces still pictures.
• uses of MRI

  • to diagnose brain tumours
  • to measure brain tumours
  • assess the effects of a stroke
  • assess brain injury from trauma
• Strengths of MRI

  • More detailed pictures are formed than those produced by CT scans
  • does not expose the patient to ionising radiation
• Limitations to MRI

  • patient cannot have metal in their body
  • some MRI scanners produce loud banging noises and require ear protection to be worn, and the noise may also cause distress in some patients
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)


  a functional neuroimaging technique that produces dynamic pictures
• uses of FMRI

  • can show the parts of the brain that are active when the patient is performing a certain task
  • used to help plan tumour removal surgery
  • can help assess the effects of a stroke
  • can detect the brain. activity of patients with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
• strengths of FMRI

  • high spatial resolution meaning scans can determine the location of neural activity with high accuracy
  • does not expose patients to ionising radiation
• Limitations of FMRI

  • patients can not have metal in their body
  • low temporal resolution, meaning scenes take longer to detect changes on activity
• Briefly describe the structure of the spinal cord

  cable of nerve fibres/thick bundle of nerve fibres
• What lobe of the brain is the brocas area located?

  The frontal lobe
• Name the type of neurons that only send information to the brain

  Sensory neurons
• Frontal lobe functions

  • voluntary movement
  • planning and decision making
  • problem-solving
  • ability to reason
  • ability to organise information
  • expression of personality
  • recognitions of emotions
  • speech production
  • impulse control
• Temporal lobe functions

  • understanding speech
  • auditory information
  • processing smell
  • facial recognition
  • recognising body language
  • recognition of emotions
  • long-term memory formation
• Occipital lobe functions

  • visual perception
  • visual processing
  • interpreting visual information
  • facial recognition
  • perception of distance and depth
• Parietal lobe functions

  • processing sensory information
  • spacial awareness
  • proprioception
  • involved with the integration of sensory information
• Similarities between Sperry's experiments of humans and animals

  • hemispheres were unable to communicate
  • couldn't put ideas together
• Differences between Sperry's experiments of humans and animals

  • animals could remember twice the amount of information in the same amount of time
  • humans could not process language using the right hemisphere, could not recall words presented to the left hemisphere, language understanding based in the left hemisphere.
• One feature of interneurons that is unique to this type of neuron

  • Only found in the central nervous system
• Hind brain

  • referred to as brain stem
  • responsible for lower rain functions with no conscious effort
  • made of:
  • pons
  • medulla
  • cerebellum
• Pons

  • group of nerves connected to the cerebral cortex
  • located beneath the medulla functions effects of damage to the pons
  • transfers neural messages
  • involved in arousal, sleep, daydreaming, waking, breathing, and coordination.
  • sleep disturbances
  • sensory problems
  • arousal dysfunction
  • coma
  • difficulty waking
  • speaking
  • paralysis
• Medulla

  • lowest part of the brain
  • connects brain and spinal cord Location functions effects of damage to the medulla
  • Base of brain infront of cerebelum
  • below pons above spinal cord
  • Relays information
  • Vital involuntary body functions
  • autonomic nervous system
  • Interrupted transmition of neural information
  • Physiological dysfunction
  • breathing and balance
  • tongue dysfunction
  • vomiting
  • loss of muscle control
  • can be fatal because of control over vital organs
• Cerebellum

  • referred to as the little brain
  • effects of damage to the cerebellum
  • Near the rear of the brain stem
  • beneath the occipital and temporal lobes
  • Voluntary movements and balance
  • relays information to the cerebral cortex
  • receives information from the spinal cord and sensory systems and combines information so we can adjust ourselves to be moreore comfortable or productive in movement
  • plays a role in motor learning
  • viruses
  • reduced motor control
  • dizziness
  • effected when you drink alcohol
• Mid brain

  the reticular formation

  • complex network of neurons responsible for vital brain functions necessary for survivalLocationFunctionEffects of damage to the reticular formation
  • extends through the length of the brain stem
  • stimulates brain with sensory incormation which keeps the cerebral cortex active
  • controls physiological arousal
  • sleep - wake cycle
  • loss of control of attention
  • pain managment
  • irreversible coma
• Hypothalamus


  • Located below the thalamus
  • Maintains homeostasis
  • Regulates hormones by connecting to the endocrine system
  • Influences behaviours associated with basic biological needs
  • Controls internal body clock
• Thalamus


  • Two small egg-shaped structures joined together
  • Centre of the brain
• Thalamus


  • Relay for sensory information to the cerebral cortex
  • Motor signals
  • Shifts in consciousness
  • Allows conscious focus on stimuli