VCE Psychology Unit 1 Exam Revision Verified Answers

VCE Psychology Unit 1 Exam Revision Verified Answers Brain vs. Heart debate A debate about whether the brain or the heart is the source of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour Mind-body Problem involves the question of whether our mind or body are separate entities or one and the same thing. Phrenology Comes from the idea that different parts of the brain have different functions- localization of brain function- relationship between a persons personality and the skulls surface features (dents and indents) Ablation Involves disabling, destroying or removing selected brain tissue followed by an assessment of subsequent changes in behaviour. The key researcher- Pierre Flourens, didn't write detailed reports which made his findings difficult to detect. Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB) Stimulation or detection of electrical activity in the brain using an electrode. Very invasive and potentially harmful. Neuroimaging A technique that captures a picture of the brain using various devices Computerized tomography (CT) Uses x-ray equipment to scan the brain at different angles and create and image showing horizontal cross-sections of the brain. Useful for identifying, locating and telling the size of tumors. However scan only shows brain structure and not as well as other scanners. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Vibrates atoms by using magnetic fields then generates an image on the computer. Very clear and detailed compared to a CT scan and can more clearly distinguish the difference between brain tissue to cancerous tissue. Positron emission tomography (PET) Tracks radioactive tracer in glucose solution injected into the bloodstream, producing a colour image of brain structure, activity and function. This scan can produce the brains activity in a matter of seconds. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) By measuring oxygen consumption across the brain, the scan tells us the brains activity and function. This scan doesn't expose the participants to radioactive tracers but there are very few of them around. Central nervous system (CNS) Transmits and receives messages to and from the PNS. Made up of the Brain and Spine Spinal cord Connects brain and PNS Peripheral nervous system (PNS) Carries messages to and from the CNS Somatic nervous system Part of the PNS. Carries messages from sensory receptors in the body to the CNS, and motor messages from the CNS to skeletal muscles Autonomic nervous system Part of the PNS. Connects CNS to internal organs and glands: self regulating Parasympathetic nervous system Calms body after action Sympathetic nervous system Prepares body for action Dendrites The branching structure of a neuron that receives messages from other neurons and transmits it to the soma Axon The long extension of a neuron that receives nerve impulses away from the body of the cell Myelin The fatty substance that surrounds and protects the axon Axon terminals the small branches at the end of the axon Motor neurons These neurons carry messages from the CNS to the cells in the skeletal muscles organs and glands- they carry messages that will initiate a response. They are sometimes called efferent neurons. Sensory neurons These neurons receive and carry sensory information, within our body, from both the external and internal environment. These neurons carry this information to the CNS. Sometimes called afferent neurons. Interneurons These neurons act as a link between sensory and motor neurons and relay information from one to the other as motor and sensory neurons, but rarely connect directly. They also are responsible for very sophisticated functions of the brain Glial cells These cells provide insulation, nutrients and support for neuronal function. They also aid repair of neurons and eliminate waste materials. Unlike neurons, these cells tend to be smaller and can readily multiply and divide however they can't generate or carry messages. Different types include Astrocytes, microglia and oligodendroglia Hindbrain A collection of lower level brain structures including the cerebellum Cerebellum Co-ordinates fine motor movements and regulates posture and balance. Found in the hindbrain Medulla controls vital bodily functions such as swallowing, breathing, heart rate, blood pressure etc. Midbrain in the central part of the brain and involved with movement, processing of visual, tactile and auditory sensory information, sleep and arousal. Smallest Reticular formation Help screen incoming information so as not to overload the brain, alerts higher