Download Psychology - Bideford College Sixth Form

AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
Name:
Dear Students –
Welcome to AS Psychology! Part of our studies involves looking at the structure of
the nervous system and how communication within the nervous system allows us to
function normally. Later in the year, we will look at how changes in the normal
functioning of the nervous system can lead to abnormal behaviour.
Please use the web links listed below each section to help complete the Summer
work. You may need to cut and paste the web links into your browser for them to
work.
If you find that one link fails, just google the topic you are trying to research.
This assignment will be checked on the first day of class for a completion grade. An
open note quiz over the material will also be given. All work should be hand
written or typed onto the assignment. This can be printed off in school or at
home.
If you have any questions that arise over the summer, please email me. See you in
September!
Ms Thurley
[email protected]
The Neuron
Neurons are the building blocks of our nervous system. A bundle of neurons make
up nerves, and these nerves makeup both our peripheral and central nervous
systems. Neurons communicate with one another by sending electrochemical
impulses called neurotransmitters between them.
For psychology, it is important to understand the structure and function of each part
of a neuron as well as the process of neural firing, which allows for communication
between the various parts of our nervous system.
Part I: Diagraming a Neuron
Directions:
You can use the following websites for the first two activities:
http://psychology.about.com/od/biopsychology/ss/neuronanat.htm
https://psych.athabascau.ca/html/Psych289/Biotutorials/1/part1.shtml
Use the diagram of the neuron below to label the following structures:
Dendrites
Cell Body or Soma Nucleus
Myelin Sheath
Axon
Axon Terminal (or Synaptic End Bulbs)
Synapse
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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Part II: The Function of a Neuron
Use the website above to identify the function of each neural structure
Dendrite
Cell Body/Soma
Nucleus
Axon
Myelin Sheath
Axon Terminal
Synapse
Part III: Building a Neuron
Use the following website to practice constructing a neuron and become a mad
scientist!
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/madneuron/
At the end, pay attention to how a neural messages (or neurotransmitters) are
communicated between the two neurons that you have constructed.
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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Part IV: Neural Firing
Use the following website to answer questions about how neurons communicate with
one another to send messages along your nerves to your brain and back to help
coordinate human actions.
http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/psych101/thebrain/section2.rhtml
Communication between Neurons
1. What are the ions that are inside and outside of the neuron made up of
chemically?
2. When a neuron is at a resting state (or resting potential), what is the charge
inside the cell body (or soma)?
3. When a neuron is at a resting state (or resting potential), what is the charge
outside of the cell body (or soma)?
4. When something stimulates a neuron (what we call an excitatory
neurotransmitter), and positive ions flood inside the cell body, what does it
create?
5. What does the all-or-none law explain?
6. What determines whether a neuron will fire?
7. What is the space between two cells called?
8. What are the chemicals called that allow neurons to communicate?
9. Where are these chemicals stored?
10. What does it mean that neurotransmitters work the same way as keys do?
11. If the released neurotransmitter is excitatory, what will more than likely be the
result?
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
Name:
12. If the neurotransmitter is inhibitory, what will more than like be the result?
Watch the video below:
It will help you to understand neural firing and answer the questions below:
http://www.argosymedical.com/Nervous/samples/animations/Firing%20of%20N
eurons/
13. When the video talks about a “stimulus” coming in, what type of
neurotransmitter would this be?
14. What does it mean when the sodium ions rush into the cell and create
depolarization? What is the electrical charge of the cell?
15. What happens during repolarization?
Interactive activity on Neural Communication
Use the presentation below to see exactly how neurotransmitter is stored and
released to produce neural communication.
The neurotransmitter being discussed is one that we will study called dopamine.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in which imbalances can result in disorders such as
Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and addictive disorders.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/crossingdivide/
Neurotransmitters
The list below includes some of the neurotransmitters that we will study throughout
the year. If an imbalance in the amount of neurotransmitter available at the synapse
occurs (it could be too much neurotransmitter or too little), it can result in various
types of disorders. Use the link below to identify disorders associated with an
imbalance of the following neurotransmitters.
http://allpsych.com/psychology101/neurotransmitters.html
Acetylcholine Dopamine Norepinephrine Serotonin Gaba The Nervous System
Use the website below to identify the following questions about the nervous
system
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/LRRView/7700/documents/56
57/5657/5657_05.htm
1. What is the function of the nervous system?
2. What does a sensory nerve do?
3. What does a motor nerve do?
4. What are the two major branches of the nervous system?
5. What is the CNS made up of?
Skip down to the section on the Peripheral Nervous system
6. What is the PNS made up of?
7. What type of “matter” makes up the brain?
8. What three parts make up the PNS?
9. What does the autonomic nervous system do?
10. What does the somatic nervous system do?
11. What is a nerve?
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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The Peripheral Nervous System
Use the website below to fill in the following scenarios and charts. Skip down
to the section on the website titled “Introduction to the Peripheral Nervous
System:
https://www.boundless.com/psychology/the-brain-and-behavior/the-nervoussystem/the-peripheral-nervoussystempns/
The peripheral nervous system is divided into two sections:
The __________________________ nervous system is responsible for our skeletal
nervous system and allows voluntary muscle movement
The __________________________ nervous system is divided into two sections
and controls involuntary muscle movements and gland secretion.
The Sympathetic vs. The Parasympathetic Nervous System
In the chart below, please describe the responsibilities of the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous systems.
Use the following website to test your knowledge on the Nervous System.
http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/155934623x/student_view0/chapter3/interactive_activity_a.html
The Brain
The Brain is the control centre of the nervous system. It is connected to the rest of
the nervous system via the spinal cord. The brain contains billions of neurons that
help us coordinate our movements, talk, think, hear, and see.
The brain is divided into three main sections:
 the brainstem (aka the “old brain)
 the limbic system, which is largely in control of our emotions
 and the cerebral cortex, also called the cerebrum, where higher-level
cognition and functioning occurs.
Go to the following website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/organs/brainmap/
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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Begin by clicking on the “structure” tab at the bottom of the interactive map of the
brain. Then, click on the yellow dots on the various parts of the brain to learn about
the function of each and describe below:
Brainstem:
1. What is the brainstem responsible for?
2. Discuss the role of each of the structures of the brainstem:
a. Medulla Oblongata:
b. Pons:
c. Reticular Formation (not discussed): the network of fibres that connects the
spinal cord to the brain in order to relay messages, involved in arousal and
consciousness
Fill in the diagram of the brainstem:
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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Limbic System:
1. Describe the limbic system and its main function in the brain. What is its nickname
and why?
2. Discuss the role of each of the structures in the limbic system:
a. Amygdala:
b. Hippocampus:
c. Hypothalamus:
d. Thalamus:
e. Pituitary Gland (technically part of endocrine system):
f. Cerebellum (have to leave Limbic system on interactive map):
Fill in the diagram of the Limbic System:
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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Cerebrum/Cerebral Cortex:
1. Describe the main function of the Cerebrum:
2. What are “hemispheres”? Explain what each side is largely responsible for:
 Right Hemisphere:

Left Hemisphere:
3. Discuss the role of each of the parts of the cerebrum:
 Cerebral Cortex:
 Frontal Lobe:
 Motor Cortex:
 Broca’s Area:
 Parietal Lobe:
 Sensory Cortex:
 Occipital Lobe:
 Temporal Lobe:
 Wernicke’s Area:
Fill in the Diagram of the Cerebrum/Cerebral Cortex:
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AS Psychology Summer Assignment AQA Bio-psychology
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Go to the following website to explore the ways we can scan the brain:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/scanning/index.html
1. Explain the methods used to scan the brain below:
a) EEG Scan (Electroencephalogram):
b) CAT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography):
c) PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography):
d) MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):
e) MEG Scan (Magnetoencephalography):
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