Biological research methods

Question 1

What is a CAT scan?

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Answer 1

• Uses X-rays and computer to create detailed structural images of inside body, Inc. brain
• Each image = cross-section of brain

Question 2

What is a PET scan

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Answer 2

• Measures metabolic activity in brain (most active areas)

Question 3

What is an fMRI scan?

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Answer 3

• Uses radio waves to measure blood oxygen levels in the brain

Question 4

What is the main pro of a CAT scan?

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Answer 4

• High quality, can reveal abnormal structures in brain (tumour)

Question 5

What are the pros of a PET scan?

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Answer 5

• Show brain in action (bio activity can be linked to behaviour (ppt experience)
• Indicate specific areas of brain involved in experience (evidence of localisation of function)

Question 6

What are the cons of PET scan?

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Answer 6

• Results hard to interpret, hard to draw conclusions about linking of behaviours
• Precise locations of active areas difficult to pinpoint
• Radioactive substances = damage tissue of body, cause mutations in DNA (only done 1 every 6 months)

Question 7

What are the pros of fMRI scans?

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Answer 7

• Show info about which areas of brain used at a time
• Doesn’t use radiation (very safe)
• Images produced extremely clear (to the mm)

Question 8

What are the cons of fMRI scans?

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Answer 8

• Expensive
• Only effective if person stays perfectly still (no child)
• 5sec lag between brain activity and image on screen

Question 9

What is the process of a PET scan?

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Answer 9

• Injected w small radio active substance (glucose)
• Brain areas most active use more, appear on scanner
• Info sent to computer

Question 10

Post PET scan, what are the colours of the most active and least active areas?
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Answer 10

• Most = red/yellow

- Least = Blue

Question 11

What is the process of an fMRI scan?

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Answer 11

• Areas most active use most oxygen, blood directed to active area
• Activity picked up through radio signals, signals produce slides that turn into 3D image on computer

Question 12

What is the process of a CAT scan?

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Answer 12

• Person lies in large scanner
• Scanner slowly rotated around them
• Images of brain/body taken from diff angles

Question 13

What are the cons of a CAT scan?

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Answer 13

• Require ^radiation exposure than X-rays (harmful)

- No info about activity of live brain (still images), not useful linking brain areas w behaviours