Biopsychology Questions
The Nervous and Endocrine System:
1. Explain the difference between the nervous system and the endocrine system (3 marks)
2. Identify and describe two glands of the endocrine system (4 marks)
3. Identify two hormones and briefly outline their functions (4 marks)
4. Using an example, explain what is meant by the ‘fight or flight response’ (4 marks)
5. Identify and outline two divisions of the peripheral nervous system (4 marks)
6. Identify and describe two glands of the endocrine system (4 marks)
Neurons and Synaptic Transmission:
1. Outline one difference between a sensory neuron and a relay neuron. (2 marks)
2. Briefly describe the structure of a neuron (3 marks)
3. Explain the process of synaptic transmission (4 marks)
4. With reference to neurotransmitters, explain what is meant by both ‘excitation’ and ‘inhibition’ (4
marks)
5. Briefly explain the sequence of events that take place at the synapse (4 marks)
Localisation of Function in the Brain:
1. Using an example, explain what is meant by ‘localisation of function’ (3 marks)
2. State the location in the brain of the motor area, visual area, and the auditory area (3 marks)
3. Explain how Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas contribute to the localisation of language in the brain. (4
marks)
4. Briefly outline the functions of three specific areas of the brain (6 marks)
5. Outline research into localisation of function in the brain (6 marks)
6. Discuss what research has shown about localisation of function in the brain (16 marks)
7. A clinical psychologist’s report on a patient who suffered a brain injury concludes that the patient had
damage to the motor, somatosensory and language centres of the brain. Discuss localisation of function
in the brain. Refer to the three brain areas mentioned in the psychologist’s report (16 marks)
Hemispheric Lateralisation and Split-Brain Research:
1. Outline one procedure used in split-brain research (3 marks)
2. Briefly evaluate split-brain research on hemispheric lateralisation (4 marks)
3. Describe one split-brain study. In your answer explain what the researcher did and what they found (6
marks)
4. Discuss one strength and one limitation of research into hemispheric lateralisation (6 marks)
5. Describe and evaluate split-brain research (16 marks)
6. Discuss research on hemispheric lateralisation (16 marks)
Plasticity and Functional Recovery of the Brain After Trauma:
1. Explain what is meant by ‘plasticity’ in the brain (3 marks)
2. Outline what research has shown about functional recovery of the brain after trauma (4 marks)
3. Evaluate research into functional recovery of the brain after trauma (6 marks)
4. Discuss research into plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma (16 marks)
5. A newspaper recently carried the following headline and story: ‘Knowledge changes the brain, claim
psychologists. Brain scans show that taxi drivers who have to learn hundreds to London routes have
bigger brain areas than the rest of us.’ Describe and evaluate research into plasticity of the brain.
Refer to the newspaper report in your answer. (16 marks)
Ways of Studying the Brain:
1. Outline one difference between EEGs and ERPs as ways of studying the brain (2 marks)
The Nervous and Endocrine System:
1. Explain the difference between the nervous system and the endocrine system (3 marks)
2. Identify and describe two glands of the endocrine system (4 marks)
3. Identify two hormones and briefly outline their functions (4 marks)
4. Using an example, explain what is meant by the ‘fight or flight response’ (4 marks)
5. Identify and outline two divisions of the peripheral nervous system (4 marks)
6. Identify and describe two glands of the endocrine system (4 marks)
Neurons and Synaptic Transmission:
1. Outline one difference between a sensory neuron and a relay neuron. (2 marks)
2. Briefly describe the structure of a neuron (3 marks)
3. Explain the process of synaptic transmission (4 marks)
4. With reference to neurotransmitters, explain what is meant by both ‘excitation’ and ‘inhibition’ (4
marks)
5. Briefly explain the sequence of events that take place at the synapse (4 marks)
Localisation of Function in the Brain:
1. Using an example, explain what is meant by ‘localisation of function’ (3 marks)
2. State the location in the brain of the motor area, visual area, and the auditory area (3 marks)
3. Explain how Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas contribute to the localisation of language in the brain. (4
marks)
4. Briefly outline the functions of three specific areas of the brain (6 marks)
5. Outline research into localisation of function in the brain (6 marks)
6. Discuss what research has shown about localisation of function in the brain (16 marks)
7. A clinical psychologist’s report on a patient who suffered a brain injury concludes that the patient had
damage to the motor, somatosensory and language centres of the brain. Discuss localisation of function
in the brain. Refer to the three brain areas mentioned in the psychologist’s report (16 marks)
Hemispheric Lateralisation and Split-Brain Research:
1. Outline one procedure used in split-brain research (3 marks)
2. Briefly evaluate split-brain research on hemispheric lateralisation (4 marks)
3. Describe one split-brain study. In your answer explain what the researcher did and what they found (6
marks)
4. Discuss one strength and one limitation of research into hemispheric lateralisation (6 marks)
5. Describe and evaluate split-brain research (16 marks)
6. Discuss research on hemispheric lateralisation (16 marks)
Plasticity and Functional Recovery of the Brain After Trauma:
1. Explain what is meant by ‘plasticity’ in the brain (3 marks)
2. Outline what research has shown about functional recovery of the brain after trauma (4 marks)
3. Evaluate research into functional recovery of the brain after trauma (6 marks)
4. Discuss research into plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma (16 marks)
5. A newspaper recently carried the following headline and story: ‘Knowledge changes the brain, claim
psychologists. Brain scans show that taxi drivers who have to learn hundreds to London routes have
bigger brain areas than the rest of us.’ Describe and evaluate research into plasticity of the brain.
Refer to the newspaper report in your answer. (16 marks)
Ways of Studying the Brain:
1. Outline one difference between EEGs and ERPs as ways of studying the brain (2 marks)
