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Summary Biopsychology AQA A Level Psychology
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Notes on Biopsychology unit in AQA A Level Psychology
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BiopsychologyNervous system
Endocrine system
Fight or flight
Neurons and synaptic transmission
Localisation of function in the brain
Split-brain research into hemispheric lateralisation
Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma
Ways of studying the brain
Biological rhythms
Circathian rhythms
Infradian and ultradian rhythms
Endogenous pacemakers
Exogenous zeitgebers
,The nervous system
Two main components:
1. CNS (central nervous system) - brain and
spinal cord
2. PNS (peripheral nervous system) - relays
messages from the CNS to the rest of the
body
Central Nervous System
Spinal Cord
Relays information between the brain and the rest of the body so it can monitor and
regulate processes e.g. digestion and breathing
Contains circuits of nerve cells to coordinate reflex actions e.g. pulling hand away if
you touch something hot
If damaged, sites may be cut off which could lead to paralysis
The Brain
4 main areas:
Cerebrum - has 4 lobes
Cerebellum - controls motor skills and balance
Diencephalon - 2 parts
1. thalamus - relay station for nerve impulses
2. hypothalamus - regulates body temperature, hunger and thirst. Also controls
release of hormones from pituitary gland
Brain stem - regulates automatic functions like breathing, heart beat and swallowing
, Peripheral Nervous System
Made up of the somatic and the autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Made up of 12 pairs of cranial nerves (that emerge directly from the brain) and 31
pairs of spinal nerves
They have both sensory and motor neurones
Sensory neurones relay messages to the CNS and motor neurones relay information
from the CNS to the body
Autonomic nervous system
Involuntary actions e.g. heart beat happen without your conscious awareness and
are regulated by the autonomic nervous system
Has 2 parts:
1. Sympathetic nervous system: uses noradrenaline (stimulates) and is involved
in fight or flight. Neurones from the CNS travel to almost every organ and
gland in the body to prepare for an event. It causes the body to release
stored energy, dilate pupils, vasodilate blood vessels to muscles and
vasoconstrict blood vessels to inactive areas e.g. digestive system.
2. Parasympathetic nervous system: uses acetylcholine (inhibits) and relaxes
individuals when the emergency has passed. It slows heart rate and reduced
blood pressure. Digestion begins again as the body returns to normal.
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