Deck 3: Biological Foundations

Question 1

Heritability refers to:

A) the degree to which genes control a characteristic
B) the degree to which shared environments account for a shared characteristic among siblings
C) the degree to which a mother's characteristics are passed on versus a father's characteristics
D) an estimate of how much of the variation in a characteristic is due to known genetic variation

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In general, siblings of different ages raised together have:

A) the same genes but different environments
B) the same environment but different genes
C) different genes and different environments
D) the same genes and same environments

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following came first?

A) the Human Genome Project
B) selective breeding
C) discovery of DNA
D) gene silencing

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Gregor Mendel's discovery of the transmission of dominant and recessive genetic characteristics occurred during which time period?

A) early 1700s
B) mid-1800s
C) about 1900
D) mid-1950s

Question 5

According to the Human Genome Project, the estimate is that humans have approximately how many genes?

A) 1,000-5,000
B) 25,000-35,000
C) over 100,000
D) three times as many as most animals

Question 6

You discover a genetic mutation that even though it leads to a disease has remained in the gene pool. You are likely to conclude that the mutation you have found:

A) is a result of a mistake in your research methods
B) could only exist for a single generation
C) is linked to a recessive gene
D) must have a benefit

Question 7

Which of the following characteristics is NOT true of cross-sensory experience (i.e., synesthesia):

A) it tends to run in families
B) it could be related to creativity
C) it is responsible for personality disorders
D) it is estimated to affect between 1 in 2,000 and 1 in 200 people

Question 8

Gregor Mendel developed the experimental technique called:

A) Mendelian breeding
B) selective breeding
C) cross pollination
D) cloning

Question 9

The cross-sensory experience of tasting a visual image or seeing particular words in colour is called:

A) bimodal perception
B) synesthesia
C) synaptic transmission
D) perceptual diversity

Question 10

Behaviour is influenced most by:

A) genes
B) the nervous system
C) the endocrine system
D) interaction among all systems

Question 11

The term genetics is used to describe how:

A) physical characteristics are passed on through inheritance
B) behavioural and personality characteristics are passed on through inheritance
C) physical, behavioural, and personality characteristics are passed on through inheritance
D) physical and behavioural characteristics are passed on through inheritance

Question 12

Heritability can best be understood:

A) in the way it applies to individuals
B) as a population estimate
C) as a way to understand variations between genetic groups
D) as the absolute value for calculating the relative influence of genes on behaviour

Question 13

Children with phenylketonuria (PKU) are provided with a diet low in phenylalanine in order to:

A) modify their phenotype with diet
B) modify their genotype with diet
C) modify their dominant genes with diet
D) modify their recessive genes with diet

Question 14

Your friend Cal explains to you that when he looks at the names of the days of the week on his calendar, each day looks as if it is written in a different colour. For example, Cal always sees Monday as written in a light maroon colour, while Tuesday is always in royal blue. Based on Cal's description, it is likely that he is a(n):

A) integrative perceptionist
B) synesthete
C) holistic reader
D) selective reader

Question 15

What is the relationship between shared environments and siblings?

A) Monozygotic twins have the same environment.
B) Dizygotic twins have the same environment.
C) Different age siblings share the same environment as do all twins.
D) No siblings share the same environment.

Question 16

You have conducted a large study examining children who either carry a gene linked to depression, have experienced severe environmental trauma, or both. Based on your knowledge regarding the interaction between environment and genetics, who is most likely to show signs of depression later in life?

A) those who showed early signs of depression
B) those who carried the gene linked to depression
C) those who showed both early signs of depression and carried the depression-linked gene
D) none of the children would be predicted to more likely develop depression

Question 17

Heredity refers to:

A) the transmission of characteristics from parents to children through genetics
B) the transmission of characteristics from parents to children through genetics and environment
C) a statistical estimate of observed variation in a population caused by genetic variation
D) the extent to which organisms differ from each other

Question 18

Shaliyo, an infant, can only eat and drink foods low in phenylalanine. It is likely that Shaliyo:

A) suffers from phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder
B) can only drink or eat foods containing aspartame
C) is only able to digest the enzyme phenylalanine
D) is unable to digest any artificial sweetener

Question 19

Now that scientists have mapped the entire human genome, research in this area is:

A) completed
B) now mapping different individual genomes to see how individuals differ
C) searching for the individual gene that affects health and illness
D) showing that psychological activity does not have a biological basis

Question 20

What is the Human Genome Project?

A) an international effort to map the entire structure of the human genome
B) a research project dedicated to human cloning
C) an international investigation into the genetic basis of what it means to be human
D) an effort by the National Institutes of Health to determine genetic heritability

Question 21

The complexity of humans is due to:

A) a very large number of genes
B) a large number of chromosomes
C) the subtleties in the way genes are expressed
D) the way that genes are organized into pairs of chromosomes

Question 22

In sexual reproduction both parents contribute one half of the chromosomes; the egg carries:

A) Y chromosomes only
B) X chromosomes only
C) X or Y chromosomes
D) X and Y chromosomes

Question 23

In sexual reproduction both parents contribute one half of the chromosomes; the sperm carry:

A) Y chromosomes only
B) X chromosomes only
C) X or Y chromosomes
D) X and Y chromosomes

Question 24

A gene is:

A) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing proteins that carry out specific tasks
B) the same as a chromosome
C) a segment of RNA that carries out specific cellular building tasks
D) programmed to produce protein irrespective of the environment

Question 25

Beatrice's mother and father both carry a dominant gene for brown eyes and a recessive gene for blue eyes. The probability that Beatrice's eyes are brown is:

A) 0.75
B) 0.50
C) 0.25
D) 1.00

Question 26

Darrius was visiting his cousin's dairy farm. His cousin pointed out that they were using selective breeding to increase milk production. What did he mean?

A) They selected only certain cows to give milk.
B) They bred cows for milking and cows for meat together.
C) They used cows only for milking and not meat.
D) They controlled which cows bred based on their prior milk production.

Question 27

Genotype refers to:

A) the genetic information carried by a cell
B) the physical or behavioural characteristics actually expressed
C) the results of a genetic mutation
D) the probability of a gene being expressed

Question 28

A genotype is __________, whereas a phenotype is ___________.

A) underlying; observed
B) expressed; inherited
C) genetic; environmental
D) dominant; recessive

Question 29

Beau's mother and father each carry a dominant gene for brown eyes and a recessive gene for blue eyes. The probability that Beau's eyes are blue is:

A) 0.75
B) 0.50
C) 1.00
D) 0.25

Question 30

The fertilized egg is known as the:

A) gamete
B) ovum
C) zygote
D) allele

Question 31

The Human Genome Project has made the surprising discovery that:

A) humans have millions of genes in common with insects
B) humans have about the same number of genes as other living creatures
C) there are single, separate genes for each human psychological characteristic
D) the genome is too complex to map at this time

Question 32

An instructor looking at her class is also looking at:

A) stereotypes
B) archetypes
C) genotypes
D) phenotypes

Question 33

People, even from the same family, vary in intelligence. This suggests that intelligence is:

A) controlled by a single gene
B) a function of personality
C) genetically determined
D) polygenic

Question 34

Genes are components of:

A) RNA
B) DNA
C) natural sugars
D) protein

Question 35

DNA consists of:

A) two intertwined strands of protein molecules
B) two intertwined strands of genes
C) a series of intertwined cells
D) two straight stands of protein molecules

Question 36

In considering a human characteristic, we could say that the ____________ provides the options and the ____________ determines which option is taken.

A) gene; genome
B) environment; genome
C) genome; environment
D) chromosome; genome

Question 37

Personality is most likely a __________ trait.

A) dominant
B) recessive
C) polygenic
D) amorphous

Question 38

Why are gametes unique?

A) They contain half of every chromosome pair.
B) They allow a doubling of the paired chromosomes.
C) They contain only X or Y chromosomes.
D) They are fertilized zygotes.

Question 39

Phenotype refers to:

A) the genetic information carried by a cell
B) the physical or behavioural characteristics actually expressed
C) the results of a genetic mutation
D) the probability of a gene being expressed

Question 40

Sherri has only 23 chromosome pairs. How common is this in terms of human development?

A) atypical
B) typical
C) atypical but not abnormal
D) highly atypical and usually fatal

Question 41

Which variables of behavioural genetics can be examined with adoption studies?

A) genetics only
B) environment only
C) genetics and environment
D) parenting

Question 42

Maria wants to determine whether genetics or environment has a greater influence on intelligence. The best technique for determining this would be a study using:

A) monozygotic twins who are reared apart
B) dizygotic twins who are reared apart
C) fraternal twins who are reared apart
D) identical twins who are reared together

Question 43

Which of the following is the name for the mutation in which moths become a darker colour as an adaptation to pollution?

A) industrial melanism
B) evolutionary coloration
C) colour variation
D) genotypic melanism

Question 44

Steve and Carlita want to determine the chances of their unborn child having a sex-linked disorder. The most certain technique to determine the existence of the mutation would be:

A) ultrasound
B) IVF
C) germline therapy
D) amniocentesis

Question 45

The advantage of studying monozygotic twins is that:

A) all of their behaviours are identical
B) they are treated the same in their environment
C) they are easy to locate and track for research
D) they are genetically identical

Question 46

The process by which chromosomes duplicate and the cell divides into new cells with identical chromosome structure is called:

A) fertilization
B) cell division
C) mutation
D) conception

Question 47

Anah is studying the similarity of monozygotic versus dizygotic twins, examining characteristics ranging from criminality to math aptitude to introversion. It is likely that she is working in the field of:

A) child development
B) psychometrics
C) behavioural genetics
D) genometrics

Question 48

Bill and his sister Ann are twins; however, they cannot be:

A) monozygotic twins
B) dizygotic twins
C) fraternal twins
D) raised apart

Question 49

In studies of monozygotic twins separated at birth and adopted into different environments there are:

A) no similarities
B) only physical similarities
C) only broad personality trait similarities
D) sometimes a surprising number of similarities with regard to idiosyncratic behaviours

Question 50

The Smith children, although genetically related, all show slight variations in the colour of their skin. This is most likely the result of:

A) single genotype expression
B) cell division
C) polygenic effects
D) dominant gene effects

Question 51

Why do monozygotic twins have different phenotypes?

A) They have different genotypes.
B) They have non-shared environments.
C) They have the same environments but different genes.
D) They have only minor phenotypic variation across a few physical traits but not differences in psychological traits.

Question 52

The mutation that became the recessive characteristic for sickle-cell disease is adaptive in:

A) malaria-prevalent environments
B) people not of African descent
C) people of African descent
D) no known environments and, as a recessive characteristic, is likely to die out

Question 53

Cell division refers to which of the following processes?

A) the process by which cells mutate
B) the duplication of chromosomes as the cell divides into two new cells with identical chromosome structure
C) the cell divides into two new but genetically unique and specialized cells
D) the process by which a cell undergoes a polygenic effect

Question 54

In considering the relative contributions of genes and environment, most scientists would agree that:

A) environment plays the more important role in shaping behaviour
B) only genes shape behaviour
C) social context has little effect on behaviour
D) genes and environment interact to determine behaviour

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of a knockout mouse?

A) to determine the effects of a removed or disrupted gene on the genome
B) to determine the effect of a removed or disrupted gene on other genes
C) to determine how a removed gene might interact with the environment
D) to determine if the removed gene is important for a specific function

Question 56

Most behavioural geneticists are primarily interested in:

A) mapping the human genome
B) discovering how genes control psychological but not biological behaviours
C) proving that genes have a stronger influence on behaviour than does environment
D) discovering the degree of genetic and environmental influence on psychological phenomena

Question 57

A criticism of the Minnesota study that examined adopted twins is that:

A) the adopted homes provided completely different environments
B) only recessive genes were examined
C) adoption agencies placed children into adoptive homes randomly
D) different adopted homes provided a relatively similar environment

Question 58

Adoption studies are an important tool of behavioural genetics because they:

A) allow us to examine the effects of nonrelated mothering
B) allow us to look at the contributions of environment and genetics on behaviour
C) are so rare
D) show that environment overwhelms the effect of genes

Question 59

According to the study conducted by Avshalom Caspi, boys who had been mistreated and showed the low-MAO gene were:

A) least likely to commit a crime
B) responsible for more than half the crimes committed by the group
C) no more likely to commit a crime than the boys without the low-MAO gene but who had been mistreated
D) no more likely to commit a crime than boys with low-MAO genes who were not mistreated

Question 60

Which would NOT be part of a study in behavioural genetics?

A) the effect of one environment on another environment
B) the effect of genetic information on environments
C) the effect of environmental and genetic interactions on biological phenomena
D) the effect of environmental and genetic interactions on psychological phenomena

Question 61

A myelin sheath is like:

A) the tuning dial of a radio
B) the insulation of a wire
C) the layers of a cake
D) the thermostat of a heater

Question 62

Efferent neurons carry information:

A) from the brain to the muscles
B) from the muscles to the brain
C) regarding effects in the environment
D) regarding the most efficient response

Question 63

If you touch something hot, ____________ neurons of the ____________ type send the signal to the spinal cord.

A) motor; efferent
B) sensory; efferent
C) motor; afferent
D) sensory; afferent

Question 64

Thara's roommate has been complaining about having a "pinched nerve" from moving some furniture. What is she likely referring to as a nerve?

A) a single axon from a portion of her back to her spinal cord
B) a neuron that is part of her spinal cord
C) a bundle of axons from some nerves in her back
D) a neuron that connects to the pain centre in her spine

Question 65

Messages are sent to the brain or spinal cord from the body via ____________ neurons; messages leave the brain and spinal cord via ____________ neurons.

A) motor; mental
B) afferent; efferent
C) efferent; afferent
D) internal; external

Question 66

What are the branchlike appendages that detect chemical signals from neighbouring neurons?

A) axons
B) synapses
C) cell bodies
D) dendrites

Question 67

The _______ capture(s) the incoming chemical signal while the _______ release(s) the chemical signal.

A) terminal buttons; dendrites
B) dendrites; terminal buttons
C) cell body; axon
D) axon; cell body

Question 68

Interneurons communicate:

A) within local or short distance circuits
B) directly on muscles
C) directly on sensory organs
D) with glial cells

Question 69

The function of interneurons is to communicate:

A) between the brain and the spinal cord
B) between the brain and sensory neurons
C) outside of the brain
D) within a neural circuit

Question 70

If you touch something hot, ____________ neurons of the ____________ type send a signal from the spinal cord to your muscle to withdraw your finger.

A) motor; efferent
B) sensory; efferent
C) motor; afferent
D) sensory; afferent

Question 71

In general, a signal travels through a neuron in which of the following orders?

A) dendrite, cell body, axon, terminal buttons
B) terminal buttons, axon, cell body, dendrite
C) cell body, dendrite, axon, terminal buttons
D) dendrite, axon, cell body, terminal buttons

Question 72

An afferent neuron carries information:

A) from the sense organs to the brain
B) from the brain to the sense organs
C) regarding emotional events
D) producing movement

Question 73

The basic building blocks of the nervous system are the:

A) neurons
B) genomes
C) dendrites
D) glial cells

Question 74

Which of the following are NOT basic types of neurons?

A) sensory neurons
B) motor neurons
C) interneurons
D) myelin neurons

Question 75

The nerves that provide information about muscle movement are called __________ neurons.

A) motor
B) muscle
C) inter(neurons)
D) somatosensory

Question 76

When Jon burned his finger on the stove, ___________ neurons carried the message to the spinal cord and ____________ neurons instructed the muscles in his arm to retract from the flame.

A) motor; sensory
B) inter; motor
C) afferent; efferent
D) efferent; afferent

Question 77

Axons:

A) transmit nerve impulses to terminal buttons and vary in length
B) are always bundled with other axons to form nerves and are individually very short in length
C) vary in length depending on whether they send or receive information
D) are uniform in size throughout the body though capable of serving different functions

Question 78

Which of the following parts of a neuron integrate information from other neurons?

A) axon
B) synapse
C) cell body
D) dendrite

Question 79

What part of the neuron releases chemical signals?

A) axon
B) terminal buttons
C) cell body
D) dendrites

Question 80

A motor neuron ________, whereas a sensory neuron ________.

A) communicates electrically; communicates chemically
B) is efferent; is afferent
C) communicates chemically; communicates electrically
D) is afferent; is efferent