BIOPSYCHOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Discuss research into the disruption of biological rhythms (eg shift work, jet lag).
(Total 16 marks) - ANSWER-AO1
The term 'research' refers to both theory / explanations and studies.
Students are likely to focus on research studies into shift work and jet lag, although
other
examples, such as seasonal affective disorder, could also be relevant if presented in
the
context of the disruption of biological rhythms. Effects of disrupting biological
rhythms
through shift work and jet lag can be behavioural (e.g. lowered productivity),
psychological
(e.g. tiredness, depression, anxiety), or physiological (e.g. increased vulnerability to
heart
disease and cancer). For each of these and for both shift work and jet lag there are
many
accessible research studies.
More anecdotal answers that simply describe effects of disrupting biological rhythms
without reference to research studies may earn very limited credit as the description
is
based on research. This includes reference to real world events such as Chernobyl
and
Three Mile Island.
Some candidates may begin by outlining the mechanisms behind the disruptive
effects,
such as the dislocation of endogenous pacemakers and external zeitgebers i.e.
outlining an
explanation for the effects of disrupting biological rhythms.
AO3
Commentary might include the implications of findings for our understanding of the
mechanisms of the effects of disruption, and application of findings to reduce the
impact of
disruption e.g. by changes to shift work patterns, or by adjusting behaviour when
crossing
time zones. For full credit such applications should be linked to mechanisms /
explanations.
Treatments for jet lag e.g. melatonin, would be creditable as long as there is an
explicit link
to biological rhythms e.g. via the role of melatonin in biological clocks.
Use of the findings of relevant research studies is an accessible source of credit,
where
used to support or contradict our understanding of the
Briefly outline the process of synaptic transmission. - ANSWER-One mark for
reference to the release of neurotransmitter into the synapse.
, One mark for reference to neurotransmitter binding with receptors on the dendrite or
next
neuron to binding another impulse.
You are walking home at night. It is dark and you hear someone running behind you.
Your
breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds. Then you hear your
friend call out,
"Hey, wait for me! We can walk back together." Your breathing slows down and after
a couple of
minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend.
Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system. Refer to the description above
in your
answer. - ANSWER-Up to 2 marks for description of the actions of the autonomic
nervous system.
Likely points: one section of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic nervous
system)
responds to a perceived threat / it produces physiological changes that prepare the
body
for fight or flight (the alarm response) (1), and the other section (parasympathetic
nervous
system) restores normal physiological functioning when the threat has passed (1).
If candidates simply state flight or flight and rest and digest with no further
explanation 1
mark only.
AO2
Up to 2 marks for application to the description. One mark for application to
sympathetic
activity - breathing quickens, mouth dries, heart pounds. One mark for application to
parasympathetic - breathing slows down / becoming calm.
Maximum of 2 marks if 'sympathetic' and 'parasympathetic' sections are mislabelled
in
AO1 description
Outline one or more examples of ultradian rhythms.
(Total 4 marks) - ANSWER-Candidates need to outline an example of one or more
examples of ultradian biological rhythms
ie rhythms that have a cycle length of more than one cycle every 24 hours. The most
accessible
example is the alternation between REM and NREM sleep during the night. For
marks in the top
band candidates should provide some details of this alternation, such as the number
of REM
episodes per night, the link with stage 2 NREM, or the distinctive characteristics of
each sleep
type. Other examples of ultradian rhythms include meal patterns in humans and
other animals
and variations in locomotor activity in rats. Again, for marks in the top band detail
beyond a
simple outline is necessary.
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Discuss research into the disruption of biological rhythms (eg shift work, jet lag).
(Total 16 marks) - ANSWER-AO1
The term 'research' refers to both theory / explanations and studies.
Students are likely to focus on research studies into shift work and jet lag, although
other
examples, such as seasonal affective disorder, could also be relevant if presented in
the
context of the disruption of biological rhythms. Effects of disrupting biological
rhythms
through shift work and jet lag can be behavioural (e.g. lowered productivity),
psychological
(e.g. tiredness, depression, anxiety), or physiological (e.g. increased vulnerability to
heart
disease and cancer). For each of these and for both shift work and jet lag there are
many
accessible research studies.
More anecdotal answers that simply describe effects of disrupting biological rhythms
without reference to research studies may earn very limited credit as the description
is
based on research. This includes reference to real world events such as Chernobyl
and
Three Mile Island.
Some candidates may begin by outlining the mechanisms behind the disruptive
effects,
such as the dislocation of endogenous pacemakers and external zeitgebers i.e.
outlining an
explanation for the effects of disrupting biological rhythms.
AO3
Commentary might include the implications of findings for our understanding of the
mechanisms of the effects of disruption, and application of findings to reduce the
impact of
disruption e.g. by changes to shift work patterns, or by adjusting behaviour when
crossing
time zones. For full credit such applications should be linked to mechanisms /
explanations.
Treatments for jet lag e.g. melatonin, would be creditable as long as there is an
explicit link
to biological rhythms e.g. via the role of melatonin in biological clocks.
Use of the findings of relevant research studies is an accessible source of credit,
where
used to support or contradict our understanding of the
Briefly outline the process of synaptic transmission. - ANSWER-One mark for
reference to the release of neurotransmitter into the synapse.
, One mark for reference to neurotransmitter binding with receptors on the dendrite or
next
neuron to binding another impulse.
You are walking home at night. It is dark and you hear someone running behind you.
Your
breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds. Then you hear your
friend call out,
"Hey, wait for me! We can walk back together." Your breathing slows down and after
a couple of
minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend.
Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system. Refer to the description above
in your
answer. - ANSWER-Up to 2 marks for description of the actions of the autonomic
nervous system.
Likely points: one section of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic nervous
system)
responds to a perceived threat / it produces physiological changes that prepare the
body
for fight or flight (the alarm response) (1), and the other section (parasympathetic
nervous
system) restores normal physiological functioning when the threat has passed (1).
If candidates simply state flight or flight and rest and digest with no further
explanation 1
mark only.
AO2
Up to 2 marks for application to the description. One mark for application to
sympathetic
activity - breathing quickens, mouth dries, heart pounds. One mark for application to
parasympathetic - breathing slows down / becoming calm.
Maximum of 2 marks if 'sympathetic' and 'parasympathetic' sections are mislabelled
in
AO1 description
Outline one or more examples of ultradian rhythms.
(Total 4 marks) - ANSWER-Candidates need to outline an example of one or more
examples of ultradian biological rhythms
ie rhythms that have a cycle length of more than one cycle every 24 hours. The most
accessible
example is the alternation between REM and NREM sleep during the night. For
marks in the top
band candidates should provide some details of this alternation, such as the number
of REM
episodes per night, the link with stage 2 NREM, or the distinctive characteristics of
each sleep
type. Other examples of ultradian rhythms include meal patterns in humans and
other animals
and variations in locomotor activity in rats. Again, for marks in the top band detail
beyond a
simple outline is necessary.
