GX
Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, GALWAY
Second Arts Psychology, Second Arts Psychological Studies,
Higher Diploma in Psychology (Full-First Year) and Visiting Students
Semester 1 Examination, 2007-2008
PS403 Biological Psychology (5.0 ECTS)
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Professor Julian Leslie
Professor Jack James
Ms. Anne Marie Keane
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Time Allowed: 2 hours
Candidates are requested to answer two of the following questions.
1. Sleep is an integrated neural state consisting of several distinct stages that are
under the control of various brainstem nuclei. Discuss.
2. Write notes on three of the neurotransmitters listed below, describing their
mode of synthesis, neural pathways, behavioural effects and the drugs that
interact with them:
(a) Acetylcholine
(b) Noradrenalin
(c) Dopamine
(d) Serotonin
3. Consider current evidence for the diathesis-stress model of schizophrenia,
which postulates that constitutional vulnerability to schizophrenia can result
from both inherited and acquired constitutional factors.
4. ‘Recent research on language indicates that many left-sided cortical regions
collaborate to facilitate receptive and expressive language functions and that
this work is supplemented by right hemisphere regions with particular
responsibilities for emotional and inferential aspects of language processing’
(Stirling, 2002). Discuss.