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BIOPSYCHOLOGY
TOPIC
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Starter- go to your nearest big board and
draw out the nervous system diagram
without notes.
■ You must add detail as well not just name the different
parts.
You will be given a card by your teacher
■ Read it through it carefully and try to work out which bit of the
nervous system it is referring to. Don't discuss and don't look at notes.
■ The classroom has now been split in half- cns and pns. You have
one minute to decide which half of the nervous system you belong in
and get to that side. Does your side agree you should be there?
■ Now the tables in your half have been named either brain, spinal cord,
somatic, autonomic, sympathetic and parasympathetic. Where do you
belong? Go to your table and share your card with your group. Are you
in the right place?
■ This is your group for the lesson and you will perform a series of
challenges with your team. Each challenge gets a number of points.
First challenge
■ you have 4 minutes to prepare a mini presentation
on your bit of the system. Tell us all about it without
notes, everybody must contribute. You can use the
internet if you like but not essential. Up to 3 points
available for content and style.
Challenge 2- up to 9 points for correctly
plotting the path! 5 minutes time limit.
Challenge 3- up to 19 points for multichoice quiz. 4 minute time limit.
You’ll be given an exam question and have
to answer it in 5 minutes, no notes..
■ 1. Briefly distinguish between the central nervous
system and the peripheral nervous system (3 marks)
■ 2. Outline the main functions of the central nervous
system (3 marks)
■ 3. Outline the main Functions of the peripheral
nervous system (3 marks)
a) Briefly distinguish between the central nervous system and the
peripheral nervous system (3 marks)
■ The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the
spinal cord, whereas the peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of
the somatic and autonomic nervous system (1 mark).
■ The CNS is responsible for all conscious awareness and experience
as well as some reflex actions, What does the CNS do? 1 mark
■ whereas the PNS is responsible for sending messages to and from
the CNS to organs and muscles and the involuntary fight or flight
response What does the PNS do and how is this different from the
CNS? 1 mark
b) Outline the main functions of the central nervous system (3 marks)
■ The Central Nervous System consists of the brain and the spinal cord. (1/2
mark)
■ The brain is involved in a variety of higher cognitive, emotional, sensory, and
motor (movement) functions.
■ The brain is divided into two symmetrical hemispheres: the left is linked to
language and is considered the ‘rational’ half of the brain, associated with
analytical thinking and logical abilities. The right hemisphere is more
involved with musical and artistic abilities.
■ The brain also contains many structures responsible for regulating actions
which keep us alive. (1 ½ marks)
■ The main function of the spinal cord is to relay information about what's
happening inside and outside your body to and from your brain. It is also
involved in reflex actions, such as the startle response. (1 marks)
Outline the main functions of the
Peripheral nervous system.
■ The peripheral nervous system consists of the somatic and
autonomic nervous system and the autonomic consists of
the sympathetic and parasympathetic. (1 mark)
■ It is responsible for transmitting info to and from the central
nervous system so passes messages to the whole body
form the brain and vica versa. (1 mark)
■ Include brief description of somatic and autonomic (1 mark)
or more detail on the function of the PNS
Challenge 5-final round kahoot group
quiz
■ https://create.kahoot.it/?_ga=1.220127391.728012021.1462353237&deviceId=
22002e79-dd62-497f-bae0-39f036609089#quiz/c3ef9039-e478-417b-80661e6545d4f32c
The structure and function of
sensory, relay and motor
neurons
The Neuron
Without notes, label the sheet with
the following words:
Dendrites; cell body (soma); Axon;
Myelin sheath; Synaptic terminal (or
terminal buttons)
Look up the terms below and add
them to your sheet (see page 228 in
Lawton and Wilard or go online)
Nucleus; Nodes of Ravier;
Direction of impulse
The Synapse
Without notes, label the sheet with
the following words:
Pre-synaptic membrane; postsynaptic membrane; vesicles;
synaptic cleft
Look up the terms below and add
them to your sheet(see page 230 in
Lawton and Wilard)
Direction of impulse; receptor sites;
neurotransmitter crossing cleft
Neurons and Synaptic transmission
1) Read the information in the pack and highlight key information
on synaptic transmission and excitation and inhibition.
2) On wallboards – in groups: Describe the process of synaptic
transmission, including excitation and inhibition.
• Synaptic transmission is the process for transmitting messages from neuron
to neuron.
• When a nerve signal, or impulse reaches the end of the axon, it has travelled
as an action potential, or a pulse of electricity
• When the electrical impulse arrives at the synaptic terminal, it triggers
vesicles containing neurotransmitters to fuse with the pre-synaptic
membrane to release their contents.
• Once inside the synaptic cleft (the space between the 2 neurons) the
neurotransmitter can bind to receptors (specific proteins) on the membrane
of the receiving neuron. This then converts to an electrical impulse that
travels down the neuron to the next pre-synaptic terminal, so the impulse
continues to be transmitted on.
• if the net effect on the post synaptic neuron is inhibitory, the neuron will be
less likely to ‘fire’ and if the net effect is excitatory, the neuron will be more
likely to fire.
The three main types of neurons
where the structures
Read the information about the three main types Highlight
(listed below) are situated in
of neuron, then describe to each other what is
each neuron, and the direction
happening in the picture below
of electrical impulse. Use a
different colour for each
neuron.
Cell body
Axon Synaptic
endings Dendrites Myelin
sheath Nodes of Ranvier
MWB True or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Motor neurons send signals from the CNS to the muscles and glands
Muscles and glands are sometimes called effectors
Sensory neurons often have short dendrites and short axons
The CNS is consists entirely of motor neurons
Relay neurons are also known as interneurons
There are over 200 interneurons in the CNS
Sensory neurons send signals to the brain and spinal cord from the sense organs
Relay neurons only connect to sensory neurons
Relay neurons can connect to other relay neurons
There are gaps between the connections of neurons
True or false? False in red
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Motor neurons send signals from the CNS to the muscles and glands
Muscles and glands are sometimes called effectors
Sensory neurons often have short dendrites and short axons
The CNS is consists entirely of motor neurons
Relay neurons are also known as interneurons
There are over 200 interneurons in the CNS
Sensory neurons send signals to the brain and spinal cord from the sense organs
Relay neurons only connect to sensory neurons
Relay neurons can connect to other relay neurons
There are gaps between the connections of neurons
Structure of each neuron
Label
What is the direction of impulse (in other words, which way is the signal travelling)?
2
1
3
6
5
4
7
1
On mini-whiteboards: write the key
structures of each neuron. What is the
direction of impulse (in other words, which
way is the signal travelling)?
2
3
4
Adding detail to your knowledge
• Highlight and label in the information where you can find the
answers to the questions below.
• For example
• ….that is they move impulses towards the CNS
•
Qu3-this is where Sensory neurons send
info
Sensory Neurons (Afferent neurons)
Q1) Where do sensory neurons receive information from?
Q2) Why are sensory neurons called ‘afferent’ neurons? (Def: afferent
means conducting or conducted inwards or towards something)
Q3) where do sensory neurons send information (using an electrical
impulse) to?
Q4) which part of the neuron does information enter?
Q5) which part of the neuron is the control centre?
Q6) after information is sent to the control centre, where is it sent next?
Q7) where is the final destination for the information?
Q8) how many directions can electrical impulses flow through each
neuron?
Motor neurons (efferent neurons)
Q9) Why are Motor neurons also called ‘efferent’ neurons? (Def: efferent means conducted or
conducting outwards or away from something)
Q10) what are also known as effectors?
Q11) How does information enter the motor neurons?
Q12) where does information go after it has entered the neuron?
Q13) After the information is sent down the axon, where does it terminate?
Q14) if attached to a muscle, what are the axon terminals called?
Q15) what characterises the dendrites and the axons in motor neurons?
Q16) How is the information about the response required sent through motor neurons?
Relay Neurons
Q17) what characterises the sizer of relay neurons (interneurons)
Q18) where are relay neurons found?
Q19) what is the main responsibility of the relay neurons?
Q20) what is the length of their axons and dendrites?
Explain how information travels from a sense organ (such as the
eye) to an effector (such as a bicep) – 6 marks
Information is received from a sense organ and passes through the sensory neuron. It
is detected by the dendrites and an electrical impulse is passed towards the CNS via
the cell body.
The impulse is then passed along the axon to the terminal buttons, where
neurotransmitters are released across the synapse and detected by the receptor sites
in the dendrites of the relay neurons. The impulse continues across the dendrites, cell
body, axon and terminal buttons of the relay neuron, and chemicals are released across
the synapse between the relay and the motor neuron.
The electrical impulse then moves away from the CNS towards the important effector
via the dendrites, cell body and axon of the motor neuron, until chemicals are released
at the motor end plate which inform the muscle to act.
The endocrine system and
fight or flight
You must include the
words-involuntary,
voluntary, sustains life,
the senses,
bladder/intestine etc,
skeletal muscles,
environment, arousal,
fight or flight, pupil
dilation, homeostasis,
heart rate, cerebral
cortex, 40cm, reflex
actions.
The nervous
system
On a MWB:
Do this on your own for the first 3 minutes
Then compare on your tables
Exam question practice
On your way home from a day relaxing with friends you are chased by
a neighbours dog. You are forced to not only run away but jump over
a fence and over a hedge. When you get home you are shaken and it
takes a while for you to relax.
Explain how your nervous system would work in this situation (6
marks)
• You must use the words- somatic nervous system, relays message,
brain, peripheral nervous system, autonomic nervous system in
your answer.
Where and what?
From your homework, you should know where the
glands are around the body.
Label the glands and functions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Responsible for important biological rhythms,
including the sleep-wake cycle.
Responsible for regulating metabolism.
Controls the regulation of the female
reproductive system, including the menstrual
cycle and pregnancy,
Responsible for the development of male
sex characteristics during puberty while
also promoting muscle growth.
Stimulates and controls the release of
hormones from the pituitary gland.
sometimes known as the master gland because
the hormones released by this gland control
and stimulate the release of hormones from
other glands.
The key hormone in the fight or flight
response.
Stimulates the release of glucose to provide
the body with energy, while supressing the
immune system.
The Endocrine System.pdf
• Click link for answer sheet
The Adrenal Medulla
Guess the question - 4 mark answer
• The endocrine system is a series of glands in the body which
release chemicals (hormones) throughout the body via the
blood and other bodily fluids. It has a regulatory role and
maintains the harmonious functioning of the body through
balancing chemicals and other substances (homeostasis). The
main gland, sometimes called the master gland is the pituitary
gland and it is involved in the flight or fight response by
releasing ACTH which activated the adrenal medulla in the
adrenal glands to produce adrenaline.
What is Fight or Flight?
Now label the bear diagram
•
•
•
•
•
•
Stressor (bear in a wood)
Pituitary gland
ACTH
Detected by cells in the adrenal glands (adrenal medulla)
Releases adrenaline
Heart rate increases, lungs increase breathing, pupils dilate,
stomach diverts blood to muscles to increase strength
• Bear leaves
• Parasympathetic branch activated
• Body returns to homeostasis
Questions- in pairs
1) Which gland releases adrenaline? (1 mark)
2) Which gland controls the action of all other glands (1 mark)
3) Identify two hormones and briefly outline their function (4
marks)
extension – if you are waiting, come up with a great mnemonic
to remember the glands of the endocrine system that the whole
class can use
Answers
1) The adrenal glands (specifically the adrenal medulla – see fight or
flight mechanism)
2) The pituitary gland
3) Correct identification of hormones, for example TSH, ACTH,
Adrenalin, oestrogen, testosterone, gets one mark each (2 marks
in total) and brief description of function gets one mark each (2
marks in total) for example…
ACTH (1) is responsible for signalling the adrenal gland to secrete
hormones (2). Adrenalin (3) is involved in increasing arousal for the
fight or flight reaction to a threat (4).
Kahoots quiz
• Simple quiz on the endocrine system – get your phones out!
• https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/edf1c24c-aa03-49ab-806f62beec413aa3
LOCALISATION AND
FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN
Explain what is meant by localisation of function
Describe research investigating localisation of function
Evaluate the extent to which brain functions are localised
You could have an essay for these topics
Brain Models- Playdough
Create and label your brain
You have ten minutes – no notes
Assessment
Art Gallery
Motor area
Somatosensory area
Visual area
Broca’s area
Auditory area
Wernicke’s area
In pairs on MWB answer the following
• Is the brain localised or multi-functional?
• 1) what does this actually mean?
Are the functions of the brain found (localised) in specific areas of the brain or
many parts of the brain responsible for single tasks
Which lobes of the brain are responsible for:
2) Speech?
Temporal lobe
3) Movement
Frontal lobe
Do the following support localisation or multi-functional
• “Clive Wearing had impaired semantic memory but his procedural memory was
unaffected”
• “The Case of Phineas Gage recovered as the rest of his brain compensated for
the damage.”
• “Lashley (1950) conducted work on rat’s brains and did not find a specific area
for memory”
• “Evidence from individual case studies demonstrate specific deficits such as
loss of speech function”
Now decide
Is the brain localised or multifunctional throughout?
Evaluation
What do we need to consider when evaluating a theory?
Supporting Evidence
Wallboards
Describe one study in which localisation of brain function
was investigated. Include details of what the psychologists
did and what was found. (3 marks)
Localisation or holistic theory
Elaboration ladder
• Each table will be given an evaluation point to start with.
• You must fully elaborate on the evaluation point given,
when you have finished put your hand up and get me to
check it. You can then move on to the next point.
Evaluation for Localisation of function
1. Peterson et al used brain scans to demonstrate Wernicke's area was active
during a listening task.
2. In a study using neurosurgery, Dougherty et al (2002) found that lesioning
the cingulate gyrus improved symptoms of OCD.
3. The case of Phineas Gage is difficult to draw general conclusions from.
4. Lashey (1950) conducted research on learning processes in rats and found
that higher cognitive function is distributed in the brain and requires every
part of the cortex.
5. The notion of Plasticity describes that when a brain is damaged the rest of
the brain reorganises itself to adapt.
5 minute essay plan- Wallboards
• Construct a bullet point essay plan for the following
“ Discuss to what extent brain functions are localised. Refer
to evidence in you answer”
(16 marks)
Essay PlanThe Extent to which brain functions are localised
Ao1 Outline- (6 marks) – Note: Not all points below would be necessary
1.
Localisation vs holistic theory - define
2.
Hemispheres of brain (two) and Cerebral Cortex (subdivided into 4 lobes- frontal, parietal, occipital,
temporal)
3.
Frontal= motor which controls movement
4.
Parietal= somatosensory which represents sensory info
5.
Occipital= visual cortex sent information from the eye
6.
Temporal= auditory analysing speech- Broca and Wernickes areas
A03 Evaluate (potential content) (10 marks)
Remember- 3 good elaborative points are better than 5 weaker points
• Supportive research- Case studies (Phineas Gage/ Clive Wearing)
• Supportive research- Neurological studies (Peterson et al)
• Evaluation of research- Case study methods   or lab experiments  
• Challenging research- Lashey/ Phineas Gage?
• Challenging theory- Plasticity
• Application- Mental health disorders/ Memory
Plasticity and Functional
Recovery after Trauma
Kahoot quiz on brain plasticity and
functional recovery
From your flipped homework…
 As a group, draw your answer to Task A, question 6 on a mini
whiteboard
How your graph should look:
Scattergram to show the relationship between time spent in the job
and volume of grey matter in the posterior hippocampus in taxi
drivers
Volume of grey
matter in the
posterior
hippocampus
Number of months spent in job
Questions
1. Define what is meant by plasticity of the brain (3 marks)
2. Briefly outline research into functional recovery of the brain after
injury (5 marks)
Mark Scheme
1. Brain plasticity refers to the fact that the brain has the ability to
change and adapt as a result of learning and experience (1 mark). This
includes the ability to adapt, following damage through trauma (2
marks), where functions may be redistributed to other areas of the
brain (3 marks)
2.
After trauma, secondary neural pathways that would not typically be
used to carry out certain functions are activated to enable functioning (1
mark). Often in the same way as before (1 mark).
This process is supported by a number of structural changes that take
place in the brain, including axonal sprouting (1 mark), where new
nerve endings grow which then connect with other undamaged nerve
cells to form new neuronal pathways (1 mark), and recruitment of
homologous areas on the opposite side of the brain to perform specific
tasks (1 mark)
Evaluation
Each table will be looking at one of the following evaluation points for brain
plasticity and functional recovery:




Practical applications
Negative plasticity
Individual differences – Age & Gender
Individual differences – Education
You will each need to get familiar with the evaluation you have been given and
draw a visual representation of this (e.g. pictures, diagrams etc.)
I will randomly select (from the wheel) one person from each group to explain
your point to the rest of the class using only your visual aid as a guide.
Application and Evaluation of brain plasticity and
functional recovery after trauma:
Follow the links, and answer the questions
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
What did you advise..?
Starter: Split brain research
Discuss in groups what you thought about Sperry’s splitbrain study. e.g. Did it interest you? Did you like it? Did you
find it confusing? Did you find out anything that surprised
you?
Now, write down at least one question you want to ask about
split-brain research
Hemispheric lateralisation
1. What do we mean by this?
2. Information seen in left visual
field or felt in our left hand is
processed by the ?????
hemisphere
3. Information seen in right visual
field or felt in our right hand is
processed by the ?????
hemisphere
Corpus callosum
4. What is this?
5. Split brain surgery
involves…..?
Sperry’s procedure
Based on your knowledge
of Sperry’s procedure:
On mini-whiteboards Describe what is
happening in the picture.
Sperry’s findings
The following slides are recapping some of the key findings
you have looked at.
These can be tricky to get your head around but hopefully by
the end of this task you will feel more confident.
Imagine you are one of
Sperry’s split brain patients
RVF
LVF
What did you see?
???????
Left
Hemisphere
Right
Hemisphere
Can you point to (with
your left hand) what you
saw?
Imagine you are one of
Sperry’s split brain patients
RVF
LVF
What did you see?
A happy face!
Left
Hemisphere
Right
Hemisphere
TWO different words
displayed e.g. KEY and RING
Describe what is happening in
this picture.
$
?
RVF
LVF
What did you see?
A question mark
?
Left
Hemisphere
$
Right
Hemisphere
Draw (with your left
hand) what you saw.
$
Tactile tasks
(could not see objects)
RH = Objects could be
named. Why?
LH = Objects could not be
named. Why?
However, LH could pick out the object
When it was placed with others in a grab bag
Evaluation skills:
How do we evaluate research studies?
• Strengths/limitation of the research method – validity and
replicability
• Strengths/limitations of the design
• Representativeness/generalisability of sample
• Reliability of the research
Evaluation of Split Brain Research
Strengths of the
methodology
Weaknesses of the
methodology
• Use of specialist equipment.
• Use of standardised
procedures
• Issues with control group
• Data came from artificial
situation
• Small samples used.
Evaluation of Split-brain Research:
Elaboration ladder
Point
Explain
So what
This means..
However....
Point
Example
Explain
So what
This means..
However....
One strength of
split brain
research is that it
is experimental
and involves the
use of specialised
equipment
The use of this
equipment allows the
image or word to be
projected extremely
quickly (1/10th of a
second) to one or both
visual fields. This meant
that the split-brain
patients would not have
time to move their eyes
across the image and so
the visual information
would only be processed
by one visual field (and
one hemisphere) at a time
This is a strength of the
research as it means the
data gathered on
lateralisation of function
in each hemisphere.
is objective.
That the internal validity
of the research is high so
we can make firm
conclusions about
hemispheric
lateralisation.
There are issues with this
research in terms of how
much we can apply the
findings to people who
have never suffered from
epilepsy or had the splitbrain procedure.
On wallboards in groups of 3
Use your completed elaboration ladders to write a
fully elaborated evaluation point on the
wallboards.
You have 3 mins….GO!
Further Evaluation of Split Brain Research
The many investigations into hemispheric lateralisation using
split-brain patients has been very useful and has provided
theoretical value (the research has contributed to our
understanding of the brain and more specifically our
understanding of hemispheric lateralisation)
Exam focus
Q1. Split brain patients show unusual behaviour when tested in
experiments. Briefly explain how unusual behaviour in split brain
patients could be tested in an experiment. [2 marks]
Q2. Briefly evaluate research using split brain patients to
investigate hemispheric lateralisation of function. [4 marks]
Possible answers – Q1
2 marks for a clear, brief explanation including detail of an appropriate
experimental procedure and what patients would be required to do.
1 mark for a vague explanation which has some detail about an appropriate
experimental procedure and what patients would be required to do.
Possible suggestions:
• plausible experimental situation/set-up – eg split visual field
• plausible stimulus – visual, faces, words, auditory, digits, music etc
• plausible task for patient – verbal or visuospatial response, eg drawing, matching etc
Possible answers – Q2
• The comparison groups were not considered to be valid as they were often people with
no history of epileptic seizures
• The data were artificially produced as in real life a severed corpus callosum can be
compensated for by the unrestricted use of two eyes
• Research relates to small sample sizes.
• The research has added to the unity of consciousness debate
Investigating the Brain
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/f7b5c5a3-b106-411a-a37a1d87d4091971
How does each technique work?
On your table you have a sheet of A3 paper
Table 1: fMRI
Table 2: EEG
Table 3: ERPs
Table 4: Post-mortem
You have 3 minutes to write everything your team can remember about how that method works
(AO1)
Move to the next table- 3 minutes
Next table 2 minutes
Next table 1 minute
Keep the one you end with. Now check against your notes. Is what you have on your paper
accurate? It is detailed? What was missed out? You will be feeding back to the class on that
technique, what was detailed well and what was wrong, or missing
Brain scanning task
An individual has gone into a fMRI scanner and carried out a series of tasks.
Colour in your blank brain showing which part of the brain would light up/be more
active during each task, and label with the name of that task, so that you can check
your answers at the end
1.
2.
3.
4.
Moving their left arm
Touching a fluffy pillow with their index finger
Shown a picture of a puppy to their left eye only
Listening to a story about a cat and answering questions about the story
Brain scanning task teacher answers
1. Moving their left arm
right hemisphere, back of frontal lobe active
Motor area
Somatosensory area
Visual area
Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area
Brain scanning task teacher answers
3. Touching a fluffy pillow with their index finger
front of parietal lobe, in the middle of brain
Motor area
Somatosensory area
Visual area
Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area
Brain scanning task teacher answers
4. Shown a picture of a puppy to their left eye only
right visual cortex, in occipital lobe at back of brain
Motor area
Somatosensory area
Visual area
Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area
Brain scanning task teacher answers
6. Listening to a story about a cat and answering questions about it
Wernicke's area, left temporal lobe, bottom of brain
Motor area
Somatosensory area
Visual area
Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area
Apply your knowledge
• A psychologist wants to investigate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Brain waves triggered by being tickled on the hand
Brain waves during different stages of sleep (REM-dream sleep and N-REM)
Difference in frontal lobe activity of psychopaths and normal controls
Structure of the brain of a girl called Genie (who was locked in a room with no
contact for the first 8 years of her life) and has now passed away.
Which would be the best method of investigation for each of these examples?
Explain why this method is more suitable for this particular example, than the other
methods?
Apply your knowledge
• A psychologist wants to investigate:
1. Brain waves triggered by being tickled on the hand
ERP (response to particular event)
2. Brain waves during different stages of sleep (REM-dream sleep and N-REM)
EEG (general brain wave pattern only)
3. Difference in frontal lobe activity of psychopaths and normal controls
FMRI (shows areas of the brain that are active)
4. Structure of the brain of a girl called Genie (who was locked in a room with no contact for the first 8 years of
her life) and has now passed away
Post mortem (because you cannot do this on a live person)
Evaluation Task
• Arrange the cards on your table: firstly group them depending on the
types of investigation technique, then arrange them into strengths and
weaknesses – NO PACKS!
• Now check against the pack to see if you got them in the right places
• Finished? On the wallboards write down similarities and differences
between each method.
Biological Rhythms
Circadian, Infradian, Ultradian and the effects of
endogenous pacemakers and exogenous
zeitgebers on the sleep-wake cycle
On BWB-Split your board in half. Put endogenous pacemakers at top of
one column and exogenous zeitgebers at of the other and put the
examples below in the correct columns
Now you will be given a rhythm
On BWB-answer
• 1. How long it lasts
• 2. an example
• 3. how it works
Circadian rhythm-sleep-wake cycle
• You have a set of blue and pink cards
• Put the pink in a logical order to represent how the sleep wake
cycle is controlled endogenously (so if no light is present)
• Then use the blue cards to alter the order to show the impact of
exogenous factors
• Finding this easy? Do this unaided
• Finding this tricky? Listen to my explanation and then give it a try.
Endogenous control of sleep wake cycle with no light present
SCN protein level drops
below threshold
This means melatonin
stops begin produced
and you feel less drowsy
and wake up
SCN starts producing
protein again
Protein production in the
SCN reaches it’s optimal
level and it stops
producing protein.
This activates the pineal
gland
This then leads to the
production of melotonin
This causes you to feel
drowsy and fall asleep
Endogenous control of sleep wake cycle with light present
SCN protein level drops
below threshold
This means melatonin
stops begin produced
and you feel less drowsy
and wake up
SCN starts producing
protein again
The pathway from
the SCN to the
pineal gland is
activated and
melatonin
secretion falls.
This activates the pineal
gland
This then leads to the
production of melotonin
This causes you to feel
drowsy and fall asleep
It becomes light and
so the protein
production in the
SCN is affected.
Endogenous control of sleep wake cycle with Light present
If light were present how does this diagram change, which boxes would you cross off and replace with the
following
On BWB-Describe one study that investigates
circadian rhythms (4 marks)
Describe one study that investigates circadian
rhythms (4 marks)
HOW EP & EZ’S EFFECT THE SLEEP-WAKE CYCLE FILL
IN THE GAPS
The main endogenous pacemaker in the sleep wake cycle is the
_____________, but the exogenous zeitgeber of ____________ also
influences the rhythm. The SCN is located above the
______________________ so it receives information directly from the
________. When it becomes dark the SCN sends a message to the
___________________ which then releases the hormone _____________.
This makes the person feel ________________. When it becomes light, the
SCN signals the ___________________ to stop producing _________________
which causes the person to _______________________. It is through this
process that the rhythm is maintained.
The main endogenous pacemaker in the sleep wake cycle is the SCN,
but the exogenous zeitgeber of light also influences the rhythm. The
SCN is located above the optic chasm so it receives information directly
from the eye. When it becomes dark the SCN sends a message to the
pineal gland which then releases the hormone melatonin. This makes
the person feel sleepy. When it becomes light, the SCN signals the
pineal gland to stop producing melatonin which causes the person to
wake up. It is through this process that the rhythm is maintained.
Infradian rhythm: the menstrual cycle
You have extra detail on the menstrual cycle in your packs to help
you understand it. You need to know just the basics.
Using your general knowledge and knowledge from the flipped
work - put the words missing from the following slides on a MWB
and hold up for me to see. Don’t know? Have a go!
The menstrual cycle
lasts for approximately
____ days
It is under the control of
the _________system,
which means it is
governed by hormones
Increasing
amounts of
____________caus
e the lining of the
_______to thicken
Around the ___th day of
the cycle, an egg is
released from one of
the_________
At this point, levels of
progesterone also
increase
If the egg is not
fertilised within a
two week period,
levels of
_________and
progesterone drop
sharply
This causes the
lining of the womb
to________, which
is the menstrual
period
BUT some exogenous (external) factors DO have an effect
on the menstrual cycle…
Now lets look at the studies
You will be given Reinberg (error on p24 – 25.7 not 35.7) or McClintock using
only pictures (maybe draw a story board) show the details of the study. You
must include:
• Method
• Findings
You will hold up your drawings and see if the groups who didn’t do this study
can work out what it is all about!
There is an error on p24 in relation to Reinberg – should be 25.7 not 35.7.
Please amend your packs.
Lets look at an EEG and brainwaves at each stage
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Ultradian Rhythms: The cycles of sleep
You have 2 minutes to remind yourself of the studies
Dement (1960)
The participants were either deprived of? What two types of sleep?
Rem and control group NREM
Which group reacted the worst and how?
REM group were more irritable, aggressive, unable to concentrate on tasks.
Borbely (1986)
REM deprived individuals made how many attempts to re-enter REM on the first night of
deprivation?
31 attempt
How many on the second night?
51 attempts
How many on the third?
60 attempts
What does this show us about REM?
That rem is a distinct stage of sleep and important for psychological well-being
Now move!
You have a very basic outline with instructions of how to answer
this essay.
You will do several tasks with different partners to build up this
essay plan.
Discuss the effects of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous
zeitgebers on the sleep-wake cycle (16 marks)
Task one-Describe how sleep-wake is controlled
endogenously.
• Core-Use the blue cards to help you
• Challenge-Write using the following key terms to help
• Extend- do this with no notes or help, just your two brains!
Now move!
Fill in the evidence and so what to support P.E.S
Extend? Do the Super so what? (Task two)
Now move
Fill in the next evidence support (Task three)
Now move
Fill in the description on zeitgebers-use your cards and pack if you need to.
(Task four)
Now move
Select a piece of research in your pairs and add it onto the sheet in a p.e.s
structure (Task five)
Now move and fill in gaps to create a conclusion (Task six)
Other evaluation points that link to the sleep/wake
cycle (circadian rhythms)
Individual differences
• Duffy et al. (2000) found that morning people prefer to rise early and go to bed early
(about 6.00 am and 10.00 pm), whereas evening people prefer to wake and go to
bed later (10.00 am and 1.00 am).
• Czeisler et al (1999) found that circadian cycles in different people can vary from 13
to 65 hours.
Nature vs Nurture
• Point- A mixture of environmental and biological determinism interact to control circadian rhythms this
suggests nature and nurture both play a part.
• Explain- This is because we have evidence that our circadian rhythms are controlled by endogenous i.e.
biological factors, however as exogenous Zeitgebers (for instance light) can have an impact on these
rhythms; there is an element of the environment also. So the theory is an interaction of the two
• So what? This suggests sleep can be disrupted by both internal and external factors. This has useful
applications when considering the disruption of rhythms and the impact of this on an individual. For
example this explains how shift work can negatively effect biological rhythms which can result in more
serious health problems such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Problem with this? As both nature and nurture are impacting rhythms it may however be difficult to
isolate the primary cause of the disruption. It also is hard to explain why the disruption of rhythms can
vary between individuals.
Practical Applications
• Shift work
• Use of devices
• Taking of medication/treatment
• Work/study schedules
• Fitness/ sport regime
Example essay plan
A01
• Main endogenous pacemaker in the sleep wake cycle – SCN
• SCN - above the optic chasm - receives info from eye.
• SCN sends message to pineal gland release or suppress melatonin based on this info.
A03
• Morgan – hamsters – removal of SCN = CR disappeared. supports role of SCN as main pacemaker
• Issues with extrapolation
A01
• Exogenous zeitgeber - light - also influences the rhythm.
• Dark - SCN sends message to pineal gland - releases melatonin – leads to sleepiness.
• Light - SCN signals pineal gland - stop producing melatonin – person wakes up.
• Interactive process = rhythm is maintained.
A03
• Steel – Arctic – 6 weeks in isolation, constant daylight = 5/6 S/W cycle longer than 24hrs & sync’d sleep patterns not found – Supports effect of
EP’s & social cues as only EZ may not have strong effect
• Issues with generalisability
• Campbell & Murphy – light on knees = CR disrupted up to 3 hrs – Supports effect of light as EZ & does not need be picked up by eyes alone
• Lacks internal validity – being woken up = CR disruption
• Figeuiro – tablets – 2hr exposure suppresses melotonin by 23% - Shows how light effects CR
• Counter-argument - Influence of EZ’s may be overstated – Miles et al (1977) – blind man.
• Practical applications – Chronotheraputics. Development of ‘sleep mode’ on modern mobile phones & tablets
Get in pairs-number yourself 1 and 2! Do this
together on your sheet
Mark scheme
Possible content
• endogenous pacemakers – internal biological rhythms
• exogenous zeitgebers – external factors, eg light
• moving to night shift means pacemakers try to impose inbuilt rhythm of sleep, but are now out of
synchrony with the zeitgeber of light
• disruption of biological rhythms has been shown to lead to disrupted sleep patterns, increased
anxiety and decreased alertness and vigilance.
• Marks for this question: AO2 = 4 Level
L2
3–4
Knowledge of the role of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers and how they interact to
affect the normal sleep-wake cycle is clear and mostly accurate. The material is used appropriately to explain Sam’s
experiences/symptoms. The answer is generally coherent with effective use of specialist terminology.
L1
1–2
Some knowledge of the role of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers in the sleep-wake
cycle is evident. The material is not always linked explicitly or effectively to Sam’s experiences/symptoms. The answer lacks
accuracy and detail. Use of specialist terminology is either absent or inappropriate.
0
No relevant content.