This document provides questions and answers to different possible exam questions in the A level AQA Psychology exam for the Biopsychology section of paper two of the Psychology AQA A Level exam. The questions range from 2 marks questions to the long 16 marks essay questions, all of which an answer...
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1. Name and briefly outline two divisions of the human nervous system (4 marks)
Central Nervous system (CNS) - consists of the brain and spinal cord and is the origin of
all complex commands and decisions.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - sends information to the CNS from the outside world,
and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body. The PNS is
subdivided into the Autonomic and Somatic nervous system
_________________________________________________________________________
Somatic nervous system SNS - transmits information from receptor cells in the sense
organs to the CNS. It also receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act.
Autonomic nervous system ANS - Transmits information to and from internal bodily
organs. It is autonomic as the system operates involuntarily (automatic). It has two main
divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Peripheral nervous system - sends information from the outside world to the CNS and
transmits messages from the CNSto the muscles/glands in the body. Subdivided into
autonomic and somatic nervous system
2. Identify and describe two glands of the endocrine system (4 marks)
Thyroid gland - produces thyroxine which affects cells in the heart (increases heart rate). It
also affects cells throughout the body increasing metabolic rates, in turn affecting growth
rate
Pituitary gland - located in the brain and is known as the master gland because it controls
the release of hormones from other endocrine glands in the body.
3. Briefly outline two hormones and explain the function of each of these (4
marks)
Adrenaline - released from the Adrenal medulla into bloodstream. Adrenaline triggers
physiological changes in the body e.g. increased heart rate which creates physiological
arousal for fight or flight
Thyroxine - affects cells in heart e.g. increasing heart rate, metabolic rate and growth
4. Using an example, explain what is meant by the fight or flight response
(3marks)
This stress response is a defensive measure that is an evolutionary response to danger. We
used to be able to run from danger at any moment or fight it off and it helps us to respond
quickly - fight or flight response. In our modern world we no longer have to run to survive, but
we do have other stressors to face.
,Neuron - nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical
signals.
Sensory neurons - these carry messages from the PNS to the CNS. They have long
dendrites and short axons.
Relay neurons - these connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons.
Motor neurons - these connect the cNs to effectors such as muscles and glands. They
have short dendrites and long axons.
1. Briefly explain the process of synaptic transmission (4 marks)
Synaptic transmission is the process by which one neuron communicates with
another. Information is passed down the axon of the neuron as an electrical impulse
known as action potential. Once the action potential reaches the end of the axon it
needs to be transferred to another neuron. It must cross over the synaptic gap
between the presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic neuron. At the end of the neuron
(in the axon terminal) are the synaptic vesicles, which contain neurotransmitters.
When the electrical impulse (action potential) reaches these synaptic vesicles, they
release their contents of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters then carry the signal
across the synaptic gap. They bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic cell, thereby
completing the process of synaptic transmission.
2. With reference to neurotransmitters, explain what is meant by both excitation
and inhibition (4 marks)
Neurotransmitters have either an excitatory or inhibitory effect on the neighbouring neuron,
e.g. serotonin causes inhibition in the receiving neuron, resulting in the neuron being less
likely to fire. In contrast, adrenaline causes excitation of the postsynaptic neuron by making it
more likely to fire.
3. Distinguish between a sensory neuron and a relay neuron (2 marks)
Sensory neurons carry messages from the PNS to the CNS. They have long dendrites and
short axons. Whereas relay neurons connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay
neurons.
LOCALISATION
1. Using an example, explain what is meant by localisation of function (3 marks)
The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours,
processes or activities. For example, the Motor area is responsible for control, planning and
execution of voluntary movements
, 2. State the location in the brain of each of the following:
- Motor area - A region in the frontal lobe involved in regulating movement.
- Visual area - A part of the occipital lobe that receives and processes visual
information.
- Auditory area - Located in the temporal lobe and concerned with the analysis of
speech-based information.
- Somatosensory area - An area of the parietal lobe that processes sensory
information such as touch.
- Broca’s area - An area of the frontal lobe of the brain in the left hemisphere
responsible for speech production.
- Wernicke’s area - An area of the temporal lobe (encircling the auditory cortex) in the
left hemisphere of most people responsible for language comprehension.
3. Discuss the extent to which brain functions are localised. Refer to evidence in
your answer (16 marks)
Peterson et al. used brain scans to demonstrate how Wernicke’s area was active during a
listening task and Broca’s area was active during a reading task. The Wernicke’s area is
specifically responsible for language comprehension and Broca's area is responsible for
speech production, as suggested by the brain scans that show these areas are active when
doing activities that target these areas. Additionally, Tulving et al. revealed that semantic and
episodic memories reside in different parts of the prefrontal cortex. This is reliable evidence
for loclisation of the brain because brain scans are scientific and objective. There is no
controversy surrounding brain scans therefore the evidence they have produced clearly
support localisation in the brain.
Lashley removed areas of the cortex (between 10 and 50%) in rats that were learning a
maze. No area was proven to be more important than any other area in terms of the rats
ability to learn the maze. The process of learning appeared to require every part of the
cortex, rather than being confined to a particular area. This suggests that higher cognitive
functions, such as the processes involved in learning, are not localised but distributed in a
more holistic way in the brain. Therefore, learning seems to be too complex to be localised
and requires the involvement of the whole brain. However, this research was conducted on
rats, so we should be cautious in drawing conclusions related to human learning therefore
we cannot generalise and may not be relevant information for humans.
Whilst working on a railroad in 1848, Phineas Gage was involved in an accident which left a
metre length pole through his left cheek, passing through his left eye and exiting his skull
from the top of his head taking a portion of his brain with it most of his left frontal lobe. Gage
survived but the damage to his brain left a mark on his personality - by all accounts he had
turned from being calm and reserve to quick-tempered and rude. This is supporting research
for localisation in the brain because it suggests that the left frontal lobe is responsible for
controlling personality. However, it is hard to draw conclusions from case studies like this
one because it is impossible to make a before and after comparison as there could be other
variables leading to the effect of his personality such as trauma. Also, other areas could
have been damaged but we are not aware of the extent of this damage.
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