Question 1

The capacity of the brain to be molded or changed by experience is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience, which includes the formation of new connections and the reorganization of existing ones.

Question 2

As a teenager, Leonard often acted on his impulses and played practical jokes on his classmates. Now 21, Leonard no longer engages in this kind of behavior. Which of the following best explains this change in his behavior?

Accepted Answer

The maturing of the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex, which occurs during late adolescence and early adulthood, is associated with improved impulse control and decision-making, explaining Leonard's change in behavior.

Question 3

What is the primary cause of undernutrition and malnutrition in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Limited access to health care can lead to undernutrition and malnutrition as it affects the ability to obtain necessary nutritional guidance, resources, and treatments.

Question 4

Neurons communicate with one another at:

Accepted Answer

Neurons communicate with one another at synapses, which are the junctions where the axon terminal of one neuron meets the dendrite or cell body of another neuron.

Question 5

When you plan ahead to decide how you will study for midterms, which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily involved?

Accepted Answer

The frontal lobe is primarily involved in planning, decision-making, and problem-solving, which are essential for organizing study strategies for midterms.

Question 6

Which of the following factors that contribute to rising rates of obesity has been shown to be genetic?

Accepted Answer

The speed at which people eat has been shown to have a genetic component, as some individuals may have genetic predispositions that affect their satiety signals and eating behaviors.

Question 7

Heritability is a statistical estimate of how much of the variance on a trait among individuals is attributable to:

Accepted Answer

Heritability measures the proportion of variation in a trait that can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals in a population.

Quiz 3: Biology and Behavior