Main description:

This Guide aids preparation for IBDP Biology Paper 3: Option A: Neurobiology and Behaviour. Reviewing all SL and HL topics, it builds understanding, highlights essential information, and develops the skills required for success in the exam. Coverage includes: neural development; the human brain; perception of stimuli; innate learned behaviour; neuropharmacology; and ethology. Key features: concise definitions of important terms and concepts; clearly labelled diagrams that are easy to reproduce in exams; and practice questions and self-test quizzes

Contents:

A1 Neural Development
Neurulation - Formation of the Neural Tube
Neuron Development
Neuron Migration
Synapse Development and Elimination
Neural Pruning
Plasticity of the Nervous System
Self-test quiz
A2 The Human Brain
Organisation of the Nervous Systems
The Autonomic Nervous System ANS
Electroencephalography EEG
The Pupil Reflex and Brain Death
Investigating Brain Function
Correlation between brain size and body size
Brain function
Self-test quiz
A3 Perception of Stimuli
Receptors
The Human Eye
Rods and Cones
The retina
Optic Nerves and the Visual Cortex
Colour vision
Olfactory Receptors
The Human Ear
Sound
Movement of the Head
Cochlear Implant
Self-test quiz
A4 Innate and Learned Behaviour
Reflexes
Reflex Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Imprinting
Latent Learning - Development of Birdsong
Other examples of learning
Example of data analysis of invertebrate behaviour
Self-test quiz
A5 Neuropharmacology
Neurotransmitters and Synapses
Slow-acting neurotransmitters
Memory and learning
Psychoactive drugs - the brain and personality
Addiction
Aesthetics
Endorphins
Self-test quiz
A6 Ethology
Migratory behaviour - Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Altruistic behaviour - Vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)
Foraging behaviour - Show crab (Carcinus maenas)
Breeding strategies - Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Courtship behaviour - Birds of Paradise
Synchronised oestrous - Lion (Panthera leo)
Development and loss of learned behaviour - Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Additional Examples
Florida scrub jay (Aphelo coerulescens)
Bluegill fish (Lepomis macrochirus) feeding on Daphnia
Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) feeding on limpets (Patella sp.)
Self-test quiz
Appendix
Glossary
Answers to Grey Box Questions
Answer to Self-test quizzes
Acknowledgements