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EnglandPsychology

4.6 Biopsychology

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are biological rhythms and how are they controlled?

Biological rhythms: circadian, infradian and ultradian and the difference between these rhythms. The effect of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers on the sleep/wake cycle.
Covers AQA 4.6 biological rhythms: circadian, infradian and ultradian rhythms, and the role of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers in the sleep/wake cycle.
10 min answer →

How are functions localised in the brain?

Localisation of function in the brain and hemispheric lateralisation: motor, somatosensory, visual, auditory and language centres; Broca's and Wernicke's areas, split-brain research.
Covers AQA 4.6 localisation of function and hemispheric lateralisation: motor, somatosensory, visual, auditory and language areas, Broca's and Wernicke's areas, and split-brain research.
11 min answer →

How are the nervous and endocrine systems organised?

The divisions of the nervous system: central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic). The function of the endocrine system: glands and hormones. The fight or flight response including the role of adrenaline.
Covers AQA 4.6 the nervous system (central and peripheral, somatic and autonomic), the endocrine system (glands and hormones) and the fight or flight response including adrenaline.
10 min answer →

How do neurons transmit information?

The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons. The process of synaptic transmission, including reference to neurotransmitters, excitation and inhibition.
Covers AQA 4.6 neurons and synaptic transmission: the structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons, the action potential, and synaptic transmission with excitation and inhibition.
10 min answer →

How does the brain change and recover after damage?

Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma. Ways of studying the brain. (Plasticity, synaptic pruning, axonal sprouting and recruitment of homologous areas.)
Covers AQA 4.6 plasticity and functional recovery: how the brain reorganises through synaptic pruning and neural growth, and recovers after trauma via axonal sprouting and recruitment of homologous areas.
10 min answer →

What methods are used to study the brain?

Ways of studying the brain: scanning techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalogram (EEGs) and event-related potentials (ERPs), and post-mortem examinations.
Covers AQA 4.6 ways of studying the brain: fMRI, EEGs, event-related potentials (ERPs) and post-mortem examinations, with their strengths and limitations.
10 min answer →