Option E Neurobiology and Behaviour

A.S. Obj. E.1 Introduction and Examples of Behaviour (4h)
E.1.1 1 State that the behaviour of animals is related to the environmental context.
E.1.2 1 State that innate behaviour develops independently of the environmental context, whereas learned behaviour reflects conditions experienced by individuals during development.
E.1.3 3
Explain the role of natural selection in the devleopment of behaviour patterns.
Innate behaviour patterns (instincts) are inherited and are stereotyped responses to environmental stimuli (see E.3). The behaviour patterns are adaptive and suit the organism to its environment. Possessing a certain gene makes it more likely that a specific behaviour pattern will develop. This reflects the role of natural selection.
E.1.4 3
Explain using species of birds or mammals (other than humans), one example of each of the following types of behaviour: migration, grooming, communication, courtship and mate selection.
Examples could include:
migration -- arctic tern, swallow, white stork, blue whale
grooming -- baboon
communication -- bird songs, alarm responses and hierarchal dominance patterns in wolves and red deer
courtship -- male display (peacock, mallard duck, great crested grebe
mate selection -- territory and song (birds) or combat (stags)
E.1.5 3 Explain the need for quantitative data in studies of behaviour.
    E.2 Perception of Stimuli (3h)
E.2.1 1 State that sensory receptors act as energy transducers.
E.2.2 1 State that human sensory receptors are classified as mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, thermoreceptors or photoreceptors.
E.2.3 2
Describe what is meant by each of the terms in E.2.2 with reference to one named example of each type of receptor.
Details of how each receptor functions are not required.
E.2.4 1
Draw the structure of the human eye.
The diagram should include the sclera, cornea, conujunctiva, eyelid, choroid, aqueous humour, pupil, lens, iris, vitreous humour, retina, fovea, optic nerve and blind spot.
E.2.5 2
Annotate diagrams of the human retina.
Include names of rod and cone cells, bipolar neurons, ganglion cells and the direction of light movement.
E.2.6 2
Distinguish between rod and cone cells.
Include:
use in dim light versus bright light
one type sensitive to all wavelengths versus three types sensitive to red, blue and green light
passage of impulses from a group of rod cells to a single neurone of the optic nerve versus passage from a single cone cell to a single neurone.
E.2.7 2 Outline how visual stimuli are processed in the retina and the visual cortex.
    E.3 Innate Behaviour (3h)
E.3.1 1
Define innate behaviour.
Innate behaviour -- behaviour which normally occurs in all members of a species despite natural variation in environmental influences. Some texts refer to innate behaviour as species-specific behaviour.
E.3.2 2 Outline the pain withdrawal reflex and one other human spinal reflex.
E.3.3 1
Draw the structure of the spinal cord and its spinal nerves to show the components of a reflex arc.
Include receptor, effector and association neurons (relay, internuncial or intermediate neurons will not be used), ascending and descending nerve tracts, central canal, white and grey matter, and ventral and dorsal roots.
E.3.4 2 Outline the pupil reflex and one other cranial reflex.
E.3.5 1 Draw the gross structure of the brain including the medulla oblongata, cerebellum, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and cerebral hemispheres.
E.3.6 1 State one function for each of the parts of the brain in E.3.5.
E.3.7 3
Discuss the use of the pupil reflex in testing for brain death.
Some discussion about what is meant by death could be included here.
E.3.8 1
Define taxis and kinesis.
Reference should be made to the distinction between positive and negative responses. Klino-, ortho-, etc are not required.
E.3.9 3
Explain, using one example of each behaviour, how the responses in E.3.8 improve animals' chances of survival.
Examples include:
taxes -- flatworm moving toward food (chemotaxis) and Euglena moving towards light (phototaxis)
Kineses -- woodlice moving about less in optimum (humid) conditions and more in an unfavourable (dry) atmosphere.
E.3.10 3 Discuss the importance of innate behaviour to the survival of animals.
    E.4 Learned Behaviour (3h)
E.4.1 1
Define classical conditioning.
Classical conditioning is referred to in some textbooks as Pavlovian conditioning.
E.4.2 2
Outline Pavlov's experiments on conditioning of dogs.
The terms unconditioned stimulus, conditioned stimulus, unconditioned response and conditioned response should be included.
E.4.3 1 Define operant conditioning.
E.4.4 2
Outline Skinner's experiments into operant conditioning.
The terms operant response and reinforcement should be included.
E.4.5 1 Define imprinting.
E.4.6 2
Outline Lorenz's experiments on imprinting in geese.
The terms sign stimulus, species-specific behaviour and innate releasing mechanism should be included.
E.4.7 3 Discuss how the process of learning improves the chances of survival.
    E.5 Social Behavioural (2h)
E.5.1 1
List three examples of animals that show social behaviour.
Suitable examples include honey bees, ants, termites, chimpanzees and naked mole rats.
E.5.2 2
Describe the social organization of honey bee colonies.
Detailed structural differences and the life cycle of bees are not expected.
E.5.3 3
Discuss the role of altruistic behaviour in social organizations using two examples.
Parental care is not considered to be altruism.
    E.6 The ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) (3h)
E.6.1 1 State that the ANS consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic motor neurons.
E.6.2 1 State that the roles of the sympathetic and parasympathetic system are largely antagonistic.
E.6.3 1 State that the ANS serves the heart, blood vessels, digestive system and smooth muscles.
E.6.4 3 Explain the effects of the sympathetic and parasympathetic by referring to the control of the heart, salivary glands and iris of the eye.
E.6.5 3 Discuss the relationships between the influence of the conscious part of the brain and automatic reflexes as shown by bladder or anus control, meditation and yoga.
    E.7 Neurotransmitters and Synapses (4h)
E.7.1 1 State that synapses of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are classified according to the neurotransmitter used, including acetylcholine and noradrenaline.
E.7.2 3 Explain how presynaptic neurons can either encourage or inhibit postsynaptic transmission by depolarization or hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane.
E.7.3 2 Outline how pain is sensed and how endorphins and enkephalins can act as painkillers.
E.7.4 2 Oultine the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and the involvement of dopamine.
E.7.5 3
Explain that pyschoactive drugs affect the brain and personality by either increasing or decreasing synaptic transmission.
An outline of the ways synaptic transmission can be increased or decreased is expected. Details of the organization and functioning of the entire brain, and theories of personality or explanations for personality are not required.
E.7.6 3
Discuss the behavioural effects of the excitatory psychoactive drugs nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines.
The structure of these chemicals and details of their effects on the nervous system are not required. Refer to "crack" when dealing with cocaine and "ecstasy" (methylenodioxymethamphetamine) as a derivative of amphetamines.
E.7.7 3
Discuss the behavioural effects of the inhibitory pyschoactive drugs benzodiazepines, cannabis and alcohol.
The structures of these chemicals and details of their effects on the nervous system are not required. Examples of benzodiazepines are Valium™ and Temazepam™.