Deck 2: Extension: the Biological Basis of Behavior

Question 1

The messages in the nervous system are carried through nerves; the messages in the endocrine system are carried through ________.

A) the somatic system
B) the bloodstream
C) ducts
D) glands

Answer 1

the bloodstream

Question 2

Neurons that collect messages from sense organs and carry those messages to the spinal cord or the brain are called ________ neurons.

A) association
B) afferent
C) primary
D) efferent

Answer 2

afferent

Question 3

Garfield is having great difficulty controlling his appetite. All he wants to do is eat, and no matter how much he eats, he is still hungry. His weight is approaching 400 pounds and he still constantly wants to eat. His physician says the problem is due to a disorder in a specific center of the brain. That brain center is most likely to be the ________.

A) hippocampus
B) hypothalamus
C) thalamus
D) amygdala

Answer 3

hypothalamus

Question 4

Jessica's mother has blue eyes, with two recessive genes for blue eyes. Her father has brown eyes, with two dominant genes for brown eyes. What are the chances that Jessica has blue eyes?

A) 50 percent
B) 75 percent
C) 25 percent
D) 0 percent

Question 5

When a neural impulse crosses the synaptic space, it does so ________.

A) via direct contact between the axon and the dendrite
B) through some, as yet, unknown process
C) through chemicals
D) like an electric spark

Question 6

The loosely connected ring of structures between the central core and the cerebral hemispheres that control emotion and is involved in the formation of new memories is the ________.

A) endocrine system
B) limbic system
C) reticular formation
D) pons

Question 7

In the example of 5-year old Nico presented in your chapter, the young boy had half of his brain surgically removed. Although very unusual, the outcome of this procedure was that Nico __________.

A) retained most of his normal abilities
B) died in the weeks following the surgery
C) regenerated the missing half of his brain
D) was left with permanent disabilities

Question 8

Fraternal twins are ________ similar genetically than are other brothers and sisters.

A) much more
B) much less
C) no more
D) slightly more

Question 9

After drinking several cups of strong coffee, a person develops "coffee nerves" or "jitters." This probably is due to the ability of caffeine to ________.

A) block adenosine receptor sites
B) cause neurotransmitters to leak out of the synaptic vesicles and be destroyed by enzymes
C) cause an increase in the release of excitatory neurotransmitters
D) inhibit enzymes which break down excitatory neurotransmitters

Question 10

Functional imaging techniques are used to ________.

A) observe the brain's activity as it reacts to sensory stimuli
B) study single neurons
C) study overall activity in particular regions of the brain
D) map structures in the living brain