AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY BIOPSYCHOLOGY TOPIC NOTES. Extremely in depth and precise notes. Includes every topic within the biopsychology section. In depth with A* AO1, AO3 AND STUDIES. I achieved an A STAR using these notes. No need to make any notes, just start revising.
1. Nervous system- central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. ELECTRICAL and
chemical SIGNALS TO COMMUNICATE.
2. FUNCTIONS- collect, process, respond to info in environment/coordinate different organs
and cells.
3. CNS- CONTROLS BEHAVIOUR/responsible for commands and decisions and receives info
from other nervous systems to send messages to muscles. (brain and spinal cord.) spinal
cord is extension of brain, passing messages to and from brain, responsible for reflex actions.
4. THE BRAIN HAS 4 LOBES- frontal, occipital, temporal, parietal.
5. PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- SENDS INFO TO CNS FROM OUTSIDE AND TRANSMITS
MESSAGES FROM CNS TO MUSCLES. (Autonomic and somatic).
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- divisions= sympathetic and parasympathetic. Transmits
info to and from organs, governs vital functions (breathing and heart rate). CONTROLS
INVOLUNATRY MOVEMENT.
SYMPATHETIC- physiologically aroused state INCREASE heart rate, breathing rate, inhibits
digestion, inhibits saliva production. Increases activity prepares for fight or flight.
PARASYMPATHETIC- resting state DECREASE heart rate, breathing rate, stimulates
digestion, saliva production. Restores body to resting levels.
SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- transmits info from receptor cells from sense organs to
CNS/governs muscle movement and receives info from sensory receptors. CONTROLS
VOLUNTARY MOVEMENT.
1. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM- information system working alongside nervous system that instructs
glands to release hormones into bloodstream= carried towards target organs. CHEMICALS
TO COMMUNICATE. ACTS SLOWER THAN NERVOUS SYSTEM. Powerfuleffects- glands like
thyroid gland produces hormones and are secreted into bloodstream, affects any cell w a
receptor for that hormone.
EXAMPLE- thyroid gland produces thyroxine=increases heart rate and metabolic rates=
impacts growth rates.
2. FLIGHT OR FIGHT- response to stress becomes physiologically aroused. Stressor perceived=
hypothalamus activates pituitary gland= triggers activity in sympathetic branch of ANS= ANS
goes from resting state (Parasympathetic) to physiologically aroused (sympathetic). This
happens instantly as soon as threat is detected, automatic reaction. Once threat is passed
parasympathetic nervous system returns body to resting state. Its actions are antagonistic to
sympathetic system.
3. Adrenaline- stress hormone released from adrenal gland in bloodstream= triggers
physiological changes= arousal necessary for fight or flight.
4. Gland- organ that synthesises hormones.
5. HORMONE- biochemical substance circulates in blood only affects target organs. Produced
in large quantities disappear quick very powerful effects.
GLANDS- HYPOTHALAMUS stimulates and controls release of hormones from pituitary gland.
ADRENAL GLAND releases adrenaline for fight or flight.
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF NEURON
1. Neuron- nerve cells that process and transmit messages through chemical and electrical
signals. SENSORY, RELAY, MOTOR.
2. SENSORY- carry messages from PNS to CNS, long dendrites and short axons.
, 3. RELAY- connect sensory neurons TO motor and relay neurons, short dendrites and short
axons.
4. MOTOR- connect CNS to effectors (muscles), short dendrites and long axons.
5. STRUCTURE OF NEURON- cell body includes nucleus, in nucleus there is genetic material.
Dendrites (branch like structures) protrude from cell body. These carry nerve impulses
towards cell body.
Axon carries impulses away from cell body covered in myelin sheath that protects axon and
speeds electrical transmission of impulse.
Nodes of Ranvier are gaps between myelin sheaf, speeding transmission.
Terminal buttons communicate w next neuron in chain across synapse.
6. LOCATION OF NEURON- sensory neurons located outside of CNS, relay in brain and visual
system.
7. FIRING OF NEURON- neuron in resting state inside it is negatively charged. Activated by
stimulus, inside is positively charged for split second causing action potential= electrical
impulse travels towards end of neuron.
SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION- process where neighbouring neurons communicate with each other
SENDING CHEMICAL MESSAGES ACROSS SYNAPSE.
SIGNALS WITHIN NEURONS TRANSIMTTED ELCTERICALLY, BETWEEN IS CHEMICALLY.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS- brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across
synapse from one neuron to another. EITHER PERFORM EXCITATORY OR INHIBITORY FUNCTION.
Once they cross gap= taken up by postsynaptic receptor site on the next neuron= chemical
message converted back into electrical impulse and process transmission again. ONE WAY
DIRECTION.
EXCITATION- neurotransmitter increases positive charge of postsynaptic neuron increases
likelihood that postsynaptic neuron will pass on electrical impulse.
INHIBTION- neurotransmitter increases negative charge of postsynaptic neuron decreasing
likelihood that postsynaptic neuron will pass on electrical impulse.
SUMMUTATION- decides whether postsynaptic neuron fires. Excitatory and inhibitory influences
summed, If net effect of postsynaptic neuron is inhibitory then it is less likely to fire, if excitatory
then more likely to fire. Action potential only triggered if sum of the signals reaches threshold.
LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION- theory that different areas of brain are responsible for specific
behaviours/processes/activities.
LOCALISATION V HOLISM- Broca and Wernicke discovered specific areas of brain are associated
w particular physical/physiological functions. DIFFERENT PARTS OF BRAIN PERFORM DIFFERENT
TASKS, this means if an area is damaged then the function will also be affected. BEFORE THIS
HOLISTIC THEORY WAS SUPPORTED- ALL PARTS OF BRAIN INVOLVED IN THOUGHT AND ACTION.
HEMISPHEES- left and right hemisphere. Connected by corpus collosum. Cortex is outer layer of
hemispheres divided into 4 lobes. FRONTAL, PARIETAL, OCCIPITAL, TEMPORAL. Each associated
w different functions.
MOTOR AREA- frontal lobe controls voluntary movement in opposite side of body. Damage=
loss of control over movement.
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