Studying the brain

Question 1

What does phenotype mean?

Answer 1

How genes are expressed (this is influenced by the environment, i.e. nurture)

Question 2

What are the strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 2

• Unbiased, scientific investigation methods (fMRIs, EEGs)
• Real applications in drug treatments

Question 3

What are the limitations of the biological approach?

Answer 3

• Drug treatments vary in effectiveness, so others factors must be at play
• Biological determinism, twins can be very different

Question 4

What are the functions of the nervous system?

Answer 4

• Collect, process and respond to information
• Coordinate the body’s functions

Question 5

Explain the central nervous system

Answer 5

• The brain (most functions)
• The spinal cord (coordination with PNS and reflex actions)

Question 6

Explain the peripheral nervous system

Answer 6

• Automatic nervous system, controls subconscious vital functions
• Can be sympathetic (increased heart rate/breathing, etc) or parasympathetic (idle)
• Somatic nervous system, controls senses and movement

Question 7

How does the endocrine system work?

Answer 7

• Glands produce hormones, which affect any cell in the body with that hormone’s receptor
• Pituitary gland controls hormone release from all other glands