Deck 2: Biology and Psychology

Question 1

One of the concepts of evolutionary psychology is that not only physical traits but also many patterns of behavior, including social behavior, evolve and can be transmitted genetically from generation to generation. 

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Alia was just about to fall asleep when she heard something crash in the kitchen. The noise jolted her awake. This was due to the secretion of oxytocin. 

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Norepinephrine is manufactured exclusively by the adrenal glands. 

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The pineal gland secretes prolactin. 

Question 5

Every time a neuron fires, it transmits an impulse of varying length. 

Question 6

Psychologists are thinking in terms of behavioral genetics when they ask about the inborn reasons why individuals may differ in their behavior and mental processes. 

Question 7

Split-brain operations are primarily aimed at curing botulism. 

Question 8

Dizygotic twins are formed when a zygote divides into two cells that share the same genetic code. 

Question 9

Sacs called synaptic vesicles in the axon terminals contain neurotransmitters. 

Question 10

Direct artificial stimulation of the occipital lobe produces visual sensations. 

Question 11

Phoebe recently suffered a major fall in which she sustained brain injuries. Since then, she has had immense difficulty in communicating with others. She appears to understand what others tell her, but her responses are slow and laborious. Her sentences are always incomplete, with important grammatical words missing. Which of the following conditions best reflects Phoebe's case?  

A)Broca's aphasia  
B)Epilepsy  
C)Retrograde amnesia  
D)Wernicke's aphasia

Question 12

When a nerve impulse reaches a synapse, it jumps across the synaptic cleft like a spark because of its electrical nature. 

Question 13

Acetylcholine is excitatory at the heart but inhibitory at synapses between nerves and muscles that involve voluntary movement. 

Question 14

Monozygotic twins are important in the study of the relative influences of nature and nurture because differences between monozygotic twins are the result of nurture. 

Question 15

Instinctive behavior is absent in an individual who is reared in isolation from others of its kind. 

Question 16

When children reared by adoptive parents are more similar to their natural parents in a particular trait, strong evidence exists for a genetic role in the development of that trait. 

Question 17

Left-brained people are primarily logical and intellectual. 

Question 18

Neurons carry messages from the axon terminals through the axon to the dendrites. 

Question 19

The two main divisions of the central nervous system are the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. 

Question 20

The somatic nervous system controls activities such as heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and dilation of the pupils. 

Question 21

Every time a neuron fires, it transmits an impulse of the same strength. This occurrence is known as the__________. 

A)refraction effect  
B)polarization effect  
C)resting potential  
D)all-or-none principle

Question 22

Which of the following techniques relies on subtle shifts in blood flow to create a brain scan?  

A)Positron emission tomography  
B)Electroencephalography  
C)Magnetic resonance imaging  
D)Electrocardiography

Question 23

Which of the following is a function of the medulla of the brain?  

A)It serves as a relay station for sensory stimulation. 
B)It receives messages from skin senses all over the body. 
C)It plays roles in sleeping, sneezing, and coughing. 
D)It regulates body temperature and concentration of fluids.

Question 24

__________intensifies most emotions and is central to the experience of fear and anxiety. 

A)Prolactin  
B)Thyroxin  
C)Vasopressin  
D)Epinephrine

Question 25

Which of the following represents an interaction of one's nature and nurture?  

A)Phenotype  
B)Genotype  
C)The resting potential  
D)The action potential

Question 26

Which of the following statements is true of a neural impulse?  

A)A neural impulse jumps across a synaptic cleft like an electrical spark because of the polarization of chloride ions. 
B)The process by which a neural impulse travels is electrochemical. 
C)A neural impulse is carried by efferent neurons and not by afferent neurons. 
D)The strength of a neural impulse varies from high to low depending on the distance travelled by it.

Question 27

Which of these is a function of prolactin?  

A)It regulates the sleep-wake cycle and may affect the onset of puberty. 
B)It regulates the rate at which the body uses oxygen and produces energy. 
C)It regulates the growth of muscles, bones, and glands. 
D)It regulates maternal behavior in lower mammals.

Question 28

Which of the following refers to a time during which a neuron is insensitive to messages from other neurons and does not fire?  

A)A temporary threshold shift  
B)A refractory period  
C)The resting period  
D)The resistance stage

Question 29

__________remove dead neurons and waste products from the nervous system. 

A)Glial cells  
B)Neurotransmitters  
C)Red blood cells  
D)White blood cells

Question 30

Which of the following statements is true of instinctive behavior?  

A)Instinctive behavior tends to resist modification, even when it serves no purpose. 
B)Instinctive behavior varies among the members of the species in which it appears. 
C)Instinctive behavior evolves only when some form of punishment is involved. 
D)Instinctive behavior does not appear when an individual is reared in isolation from others of its kind.

Question 31

Which of the following is a feature of gray matter?  

A)It is a neurotransmitter that controls muscles. 
B)It contains only inhibitory neurotransmitters. 
C)It consists of gray platelets. 
D)It consists of non-myelinated neurons.

Question 32

_____ is part of the maturation process that leads to a child's ability to crawl and walk during the first year. 

A)Myelination  
B)Natural selection  
C)Depolarization  
D)Reticular formation

Question 33

Nicotine, alcohol, and many other drugs are pleasurable because they heighten levels of _____. 

A)acetylcholine  
B)norepinephrine  
C)dopamine  
D)amphetamine

Question 34

When a neural impulse reaches the axon terminal of a neuron, the vesicles release varying amounts of neurotransmitters into the__________. 

A)myelin sheath  
B)dendrite  
C)synaptic cleft  
D)nucleus

Question 35

Which of the following is a function of norepinephrine?  

A)It is involved in general arousal, learning and memory, and eating. 
B)It acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. 
C)It acts exclusively as a neurotransmitter. 
D)It slows down the heartbeat and causes breathing problems.

Question 36

Some researchers consider the__________to be the "executive center" of the brain, where decisions are made to keep information in working memory and to solve problems. 

A)cerebellum  
B)prefrontal cortex  
C)corpus callosum  
D)thalamus

Question 37

The__________is an oblong area of the hindbrain involved in regulation of heartbeat, blood pressure, movement, and respiration. 

A)medulla  
B)pons  
C)cerebrum  
D)thalamus

Question 38

The__________is a group of structures involved in memory, motivation, and emotion that forms a fringe along the inner edge of the cerebrum. 

A)corpus callosum  
B)circulatory system  
C)reticular formation  
D)limbic system

Question 39

A__________reveals deformities in shape and structure that are connected with blood clots, tumors, and other health problems. 

A)magnetoencephalography scan  
B)computerized axial tomography scan  
C)complete blood count test  
D)radio frequency identification system

Question 40

__________is produced largely by neurons in the brain stem and acts both as a neurotransmitter and as a hormone. 

A)Dopamine  
B)Acetylcholine  
C)Norepinephrine  
D)Serotonin

Question 41

The electroencephalograph is a method of:  

A)brain imaging that passes a narrow X-ray beam through the head and measures the structures that reflect the beams from various angles. 
B)detecting brain waves by means of measuring the current between electrodes placed on the scalp. 
C)using the Karvonen technique to monitor abnormal heartbeats in a person. 
D)detecting heartbeats by means of measuring the current between electrodes placed in one's hands.

Question 42

Thyroxin deficiency in children can lead to__________, which is a condition characterized by stunted growth and mental retardation. 

A)bulimia  
B)cretinism  
C)adaptive thermogenesis  
D)rheumatism

Question 43

A neuron has a(n) _____ that extends like a trunk from the cell body. 

A)synapse  
B)nucleus  
C)dendrite  
D)axon

Question 44

Studies show that__________is connected with aggressive behavior in monkeys, cats, and other animals. 

A)the thalamus  
B)the amygdala  
C)the medulla  
D)Broca's area

Question 45

The brain and the spinal cord make up the _____, which controls and commands bodily functions. 

A)peripheral nervous system  
B)somatic nervous system  
C)central nervous system  
D)autonomic nervous system

Question 46

Which of the following statements highlights the relationship between dopamine and schizophrenia?  

A)Underutilization of dopamine by the brain is connected with hallucinations and disturbances of thoughts and emotions. 
B)People with schizophrenia may have more receptor sites for dopamine in an area of the brain that is involved in emotional responding. 
C)Dopamine fails to produce any pleasurable effects that heighten the sensory experience of a patient suffering from schizophrenia. 
D)Schizophrenia manifests as a result of an imbalance in dopamine levels between two adjoining neurons with conflicting electrical charges.

Question 47

The__________uses oxygen and nutrients to generate the energy needed to carry out the work of a neuron cell. 

A)axon  
B)dendrite  
C)myelin sheath  
D)nucleus

Question 48

The__________lies below the hypothalamus and is dubbed the "master gland."  

A)reticular formation  
B)limbic system  
C)pituitary gland  
D)corpus callosum

Question 49

Dr. Kennett is a neurologist who is conducting research using brain scans. He wants to study pictures of his subjects' brains while they are speaking or using a language. These pictures will help Dr. Kennett understand the parts of the brain that are being used to speak and the other processes that occur simultaneously in the brain. Based on the nature of study, it would be most suitable for Dr. Kennett to use _____. 

A)functional magnetic resonance imaging  
B)positron emission tomography  
C)electroencephalography  
D)computerized axial tomography

Question 50

Shana is a young girl who was in a bus accident a few years ago. Since her accident, Shana is only able to remember people she had met before the accident and instances from her childhood. However, she is unable to remember people she met recently or events that are currently happening in her life. She reads the same newspaper for several days without realizing that she has read it before. The accident has disabled Shana's ability to permanently store new information because she sustained an injury to her _____. 

A)reticular formation  
B)hippocampus  
C)cerebral cortex  
D)corpus callosum

Question 51

Bobby was standing in line to purchase a movie ticket. All of a sudden, the man in front of him took a few steps back and stepped on Bobby's foot. Bobby immediately felt pain in his foot. This sensation was transmitted to the spinal cord and the brain through _____. 

A)glial cells  
B)pituitary glands  
C)afferent neurons  
D)efferent neurons

Question 52

The term _____ is used to describe the nucleotides found along just one of the rungs of a DNA double helix. 

A)neural impulse  
B)genetic code  
C)synapse  
D)mutation

Question 53

Will was driving down a road one night. Suddenly, a man appeared in front of his car. Will got scared and slammed the brakes hard, missing the man by inches. Which hormone was responsible for this reaction?  

A)Thyroxin  
B)Melatonin  
C)Prolactin  
D)Epinephrine

Question 54

Which of the following neurotransmitters is involved in emotional arousal and sleep?  

A)Acetylcholine  
B)Serotonin  
C)Gamma-aminobutyric acid  
D)Norepinephrine

Question 55

Which of the following statements is true of hormones?  

A)They are secreted exclusively by glands that have ducts. 
B)They are secreted exclusively by the pituitary gland. 
C)They are secreted directly into the bloodstream. 
D)They transmit hereditary traits across generations.

Question 56

Which of the following statements is true of neurotransmitters?  

A)Neurotransmitters have identical chemical structures that can fit into any receptor site. 
B)"Loose" neurotransmitters are held by synapses before being released into the synaptic fluid. 
C)Once released by the synaptic vesicles, all the molecules of a neurotransmitter find their way into receptor sites. 
D)"Loose" neurotransmitters are either broken down or reabsorbed by the axon terminal.

Question 57

The__________is a bulge in the hindbrain that lies forward of the medulla and transmits information about body movement. 

A)cerebellum  
B)pons  
C)reticular formation  
D)thalamus

Question 58

Monozygotic twins share _____ of their genes. 

A)20 percent  
B)40 percent  
C)100 percent  
D)50 percent

Question 59

__________takes the form of a double helix and contains the genetic code of an organism. 

A)Ribonucleic acid  
B)Antidiuretic hormone  
C)Deoxyribonucleic acid  
D)Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Question 60

__________are specialized cells of the nervous system that receive and transmit messages. 

A)Nephrons  
B)Hormones  
C)Neurons  
D)Glial cells

Question 61

Axons end in small, bulb-shaped structures called _____. 

A)dendrites  
B)terminal buttons  
C)glial cells  
D)neurotransmitter vesicles

Question 62

Which of the following structures of the limbic system is connected with vigilance?  

A)The cerebral cortex  
B)The amygdala  
C)The fornix  
D)The hypothalamus

Question 63

The hearing or auditory area of the cortex lies in the _____ lobe along the lateral fissure of the cerebral cortex. 

A)frontal  
B)parietal  
C)temporal  
D)occipital

Question 64

A neuron relays its message to another neuron across a junction called a__________. 

A)nucleus  
B)myelin sheath  
C)stem  
D)synapse

Question 65

Which of the following is a likely consequence of low thyroxin secretion in adults?  

A)Adults who secrete too little thyroxin may feel tired and sluggish and may put on weight. 
B)Adults who secrete too little thyroxin may show symptoms of Down syndrome. 
C)Adults who secrete too little thyroxin may experience excitability, insomnia, and weight loss. 
D)Adults who secrete too little thyroxin may feel an excess of euphoria under normal circumstances.

Question 66

Messages from the brain or spinal cord are transmitted to muscles or glands through _____. 

A)Schwann cells  
B)afferent neurons  
C)glial cells  
D)motor neurons

Question 67

Which of the following best describes association areas?  

A)The left and right hemispheres of the brain that duplicate each other's functions  
B)Areas of the limbic system that are primarily involved in motor activity  
C)Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not primarily involved in sensation or motor activity  
D)The part of the parietal lobe that acts as the brain's executive center

Question 68

In the context of behavioral genetics, identify the correct statement. 

A)Heredity refers to the transmission of non-biological cultural factors from one generation to another. 
B)Heredity is apparently involved in psychological disorders ranging from anxiety and depression to personality disorders. 
C)Heredity does not play a role in substance abuse and self-esteem. 
D)Heredity factors include environmental factors such as the social environment of an individual.

Question 69

Which of the following is a function of the reticular formation?  

A)It serves as a relay station for sensory stimulation. 
B)It receives messages from skin senses all over the body. 
C)It is vital in the functions of attention, sleep, and arousal. 
D)It is vital in the regulation of body temperature, motivation, and emotion.

Question 70

Derek is working on a thesis on the changes in social behavior in the context of finding partners. An important part of his study concerns the various practices followed by males and females over the course of generations and how they have gradually transformed into our current social norms. Derek can be called a(n) _____ psychologist. 

A)personality  
B)developmental  
C)clinical  
D)evolutionary

Question 71

Traits such as sociability and aggressiveness are thought to be__________. 

A)monogenic  
B)non-inherent  
C)vestigial  
D)polygenic

Question 72

The _____ is the branch of the autonomic nervous system that is most active during processes that restore the body's reserves of energy. 

A)somatic division  
B)parasympathetic division  
C)central nervous system  
D)sympathetic division

Question 73

Labib has been having severe epileptic seizures since a very young age. His seizures have become less frequent since he underwent an operation. However, he has problems expressing what he feels. When he feels happy, his facial expressions often show anger. Labib has most likely undergone a(n) _____ operation. 

A)osseous resective  
B)multiple subpial  
C)split-brain  
D)gastric bypass

Question 74

__________relatives have a genetic overlap of about 50 percent. 

A)First-degree  
B)Second-degree  
C)Third-degree  
D)Fourth-degree

Question 75

In positron emission tomography, to track the metabolism of glucose, a radioactive compound called a(n) _____ is mixed with glucose and injected into the bloodstream. 

A)inhibitor  
B)tracer  
C)clotting agent  
D)activator

Question 76

What role does the somatic nervous system play?  

A)It converts messages that are received from the central nervous system into involuntary reflexes. 
B)It primarily regulates the glands and the muscles of internal organs. 
C)It commands the brain to filter unwanted neural impulses that have been accidentally triggered. 
D)It transmits messages about sights, sounds, smells, and so on, to the central nervous system.

Question 77

Emily suffers from insomnia. When she went to see a doctor, she was told that her sleeplessness was caused by the deficiency of a particular hormone. The doctor then gave her sleeping pills containing the deficient hormone. Emily has _____ deficiency. 

A)melatonin  
B)thyroxin  
C)vasopressin  
D)oxytocin

Question 78

A number of people with severe cases of epilepsy have split-brain operations in which much of__________is severed. 

A)the corpus callosum  
B)the reticular formation  
C)the somatosensory cortex  
D)Wernicke's area

Question 79

Which of the following statements is true of handedness?  

A)Being right-handed appears to provide a somewhat greater-than-average probability of health problems. 
B)Being right-handed appears to provide a somewhat greater-than-average probability of language problems. 
C)Being left-handed was once seen as a deficiency. 
D)Handedness is acquired by a person as a result of conditioning and is not hereditary.

Question 80

What is the purpose of a split-brain operation?  

A)To confine epileptic seizures to one hemisphere of the cerebral cortex  
B)To modify the language functions of the brain  
C)To enhance aesthetic and emotional responses  
D)To integrate the functions of both the hemispheres of the cerebral cortex