Question 1

Which statement best reflects the roles of heredity and environment in shaping our behaviour

Accepted Answer

A)  Heredity plays an indirect role by influencing the physiology that interacts with the environment. 
B)  Heredity affects most physical behaviour, and environment affects most psychological behaviour. 
C)  Genes exert their influence on behaviour with little impact from environmental factors. 
D)  Genetic factors have surprisingly little influence on behaviour.

Question 2

If you destroy one particular area of its brain,a rat will lose all interest in food and may well starve to death.Which area is it

Accepted Answer

A)  thalamus 
B)  cerebellum 
C)  medulla 
D)  hypothalamus

Question 3

Skin colour is determined by three to five gene pairs.Based on this information,what type of trait is skin colour

Accepted Answer

A)  monogenic 
B)  polygenic 
C)  homozygous 
D)  heterozygous

Question 4

What is the distinction between afferent and efferent nerves

Accepted Answer

A)  Afferent nerves take information to the central nervous system, while efferent nerves take information out from the central nervous system. 
B)  Afferent nerves are motor neurons, while efferent nerves are sensory neurons. 
C)  Afferent nerves are in the peripheral nervous system, while efferent nerves are in the central nervous system. 
D)  Afferent nerves take information to the muscles, while efferent nerves take information to the central nervous system.

Question 5

What does the endocrine system do

Accepted Answer

A)  It connects the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain. 
B)  It secretes hormones. 
C)  It manufactures myelin. 
D)  It forms the basis of reflexive behaviours.

Question 6

Ricardo just came back from seeing a neurologist.Ricardo tells you that he will be having a test in which images of his brain will be recorded after he drinks a radioactive sugar solution.What test will his neurologist be using

Accepted Answer

A)  a computerized tomography (CT) scan 
B)  a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan 
C)  a positron emission tomography (PET) scan 
D)  transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Question 7

What is an action potential

Accepted Answer

A)  an electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron 
B)  the small gap that exists between adjacent neurons 
C)  the tiny electrical charge that exists when a neuron is neither receiving nor sending information 
D)  the release of neurotransmitters

Question 8

Through which type of nerves does the brain send messages to the skeletal muscles in the legs when you are walking

Accepted Answer

A)  central 
B)  afferent 
C)  efferent 
D)  sensory

Question 9

Assume that trait X is primarily an inherited characteristic.Imagine that trait X is investigated using family studies,twin studies,and adoption studies.Briefly describe each of these three methods and indicate what information each would be expected to yield regarding trait X.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Assume that trait X is primarily an...

Question 10

Which term refers to the convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum

Accepted Answer

A)  projection area 
B)  corpus callosum 
C)  outer hemisphere 
D)  cerebral cortex

Question 11

Aretha had severe epilepsy,and surgeons removed portions of her hippocampus to control the severity of her seizures.What ability is likely to be affected by Aretha's surgery

Accepted Answer

A)  controlling her urges to eat and drink 
B)  forming new memories 
C)  expressing emotions appropriately 
D)  interpreting sensory information accurately

Question 12

Trevor
Trevor is going for a run. He starts thinking about all the things that he needs to do throughout his day, and he decides that after he showers he will study for his midterm for a little while before he goes to work for the evening. As Trevor rounds the corner near home, he sees something move near his feet and then feels a sharp pain in his right leg. At this point, Trevor's heart rate increases substantially, as he spins away from the dog that just bit him. As the dog's owner apologizes and puts the dog back on its leash, Trevor's heart rate slows down and he then makes his way home.
-What would an evolutionary psychologist say about Trevor's physiological responses to the frightening experience of being bitten

Accepted Answer

A)  Fight or flight responses are adaptations that evolved through natural selection. 
B)  The increase in heart rate is caused by an overactive hypothalamus. 
C)  Such responses put Trevor at risk for developing an anxiety disorder. 
D)  Fight or flight responses are a maladaptive consequence of exposure to danger.

Question 13

What is the term for the minimum length of time between action potentials

Accepted Answer

A)  relative threshold period 
B)  transduction interval 
C)  absolute refractory period 
D)  synaptic interval

Question 14

Fiona puts her hands into a bucket of lukewarm water; Luke puts his hands into a bucket of ice-cold water.What should we predict about each of their action potentials

Accepted Answer

A)  Only Fiona will experience enough stimulation to trigger an action potential. 
B)  Luke will have inhibitory action potentials. 
C)  Their action potentials will differ in rate, due to differences in the intensity of the stimuli. 
D)  Their action potentials will differ in size, due to differences in the intensity of the stimuli.

Question 15

Research has identified a "pleasure centre" in rat brains,and researchers have determined that rats will press a lever thousands of times to have a tiny electrode stimulate this area of the brain.What brain area is it

Accepted Answer

A)  hypothalamus 
B)  corpus callosum 
C)  frontal lobe 
D)  brainstem

Question 16

If a monkey's mirror neuron fires when he sees another monkey reaching for a stick,in what other situation should that same neuron fire

Accepted Answer

A)  when the monkey gets hit with a stick 
B)  when the monkey drops the stick 
C)  when the monkey also reaches for a stick 
D)  when the monkey thinks about a stick

Question 17

How many chromosomes does a zygote contain

Accepted Answer

A)  1 pair 
B)  2 pairs 
C)  23 pairs 
D)  46 pairs

Question 18

Trevor
Trevor is going for a run. He starts thinking about all the things that he needs to do throughout his day, and he decides that after he showers he will study for his midterm for a little while before he goes to work for the evening. As Trevor rounds the corner near home, he sees something move near his feet and then feels a sharp pain in his right leg. At this point, Trevor's heart rate increases substantially, as he spins away from the dog that just bit him. As the dog's owner apologizes and puts the dog back on its leash, Trevor's heart rate slows down and he then makes his way home.
-As Trevor is running,what area of his brain is sending signals to his muscles so that they will move

Accepted Answer

A)  motor cortex in the parietal lobes 
B)  somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes 
C)  motor cortex in the frontal lobes 
D)  somatosensory cortex in the frontal lobes

Question 19

What is NOT one of the main functions of neurons

Accepted Answer

A)  integrating information 
B)  generating information 
C)  transmitting information 
D)  receiving information

Question 20

By altering brain structures,an evil scientist has created supervillains who have specialized powers or abilities.One of these supervillains is absolutely fearless and takes on extremely dangerous missions.What brain structure was most likely altered to produce this particularly fearless supervillain

Accepted Answer

A)  amygdala 
B)  occipital lobes 
C)  cerebellum 
D)  medulla

Exam 3: A: The Biological Bases of Behaviour