Biological research methods
fmri
Functional magnetic resonance imagery.
Uses radio waves to measure blood oxygen
levels in the brain.
post-mortems Haemodynamic response - more active areas
Also known as an autopsy. use more oxygen so the blood is directed
After death examination of the brain. there.
Often done on people who have suffered an Activity picked up through radio signals and
unusual condition in life. produces images in ‘slices’ to create a 3d
Compared to the ‘normal’ brain to see any image.
unusual areas of damage. Pros:
Pros: Shows important information about areas of
Proper insight into the human brain. the brain.
Very hands on - high spacial resolution. Does not use radiation and so is safe.
Cons: Images produced are extremely clear and
After death so cannot fully compare to show activity to the mm.
another brain - leads to assumptions. Cons:
Expensive to use.
Only effective is brain is still - hard for small
children.
5 second delay between brain activity and
image on screen.
pet scan
Positron emission tomography.
cat scan
Measures metabolic activity in the brain.
Maps out brain areas by taking x-rays.
Injected with radioactive glucose - brain with
Computers are used to create cross-sectional
active areas show up red, non active areas
images of bones, blood vessels and soft
are blue.
tissue.
The info is sent to the computer and the
Tumours and blood clots also show up.
brain uses the glucose.
Pros:
Pros:
Useful for revealing abnormal structure sin
Shows brain action that is useful for
the brain.
phsycologist research.
Good quality images - higher than a
Can indicate specific areas of the brain that
traditional x-ray.
are involved with different experiences
Cons:
taking place.
Requires more radiation so cannot be used
Cons:
often.
Results are not easy to interpret. Scans on
Only provides structural information, not
different people doing the same thing could
about activity.
show different brain activity.
Hard to pinpoint precise location of activity.
fmri
Functional magnetic resonance imagery.
Uses radio waves to measure blood oxygen
levels in the brain.
post-mortems Haemodynamic response - more active areas
Also known as an autopsy. use more oxygen so the blood is directed
After death examination of the brain. there.
Often done on people who have suffered an Activity picked up through radio signals and
unusual condition in life. produces images in ‘slices’ to create a 3d
Compared to the ‘normal’ brain to see any image.
unusual areas of damage. Pros:
Pros: Shows important information about areas of
Proper insight into the human brain. the brain.
Very hands on - high spacial resolution. Does not use radiation and so is safe.
Cons: Images produced are extremely clear and
After death so cannot fully compare to show activity to the mm.
another brain - leads to assumptions. Cons:
Expensive to use.
Only effective is brain is still - hard for small
children.
5 second delay between brain activity and
image on screen.
pet scan
Positron emission tomography.
cat scan
Measures metabolic activity in the brain.
Maps out brain areas by taking x-rays.
Injected with radioactive glucose - brain with
Computers are used to create cross-sectional
active areas show up red, non active areas
images of bones, blood vessels and soft
are blue.
tissue.
The info is sent to the computer and the
Tumours and blood clots also show up.
brain uses the glucose.
Pros:
Pros:
Useful for revealing abnormal structure sin
Shows brain action that is useful for
the brain.
phsycologist research.
Good quality images - higher than a
Can indicate specific areas of the brain that
traditional x-ray.
are involved with different experiences
Cons:
taking place.
Requires more radiation so cannot be used
Cons:
often.
Results are not easy to interpret. Scans on
Only provides structural information, not
different people doing the same thing could
about activity.
show different brain activity.
Hard to pinpoint precise location of activity.
