Question 1

Which of the following is not one of the theories regarding the possible advantages of lateralization?

Accepted Answer

Lateralization reducing vulnerability to diseases and disorders is not a commonly proposed advantage of lateralization. The other options are theories that suggest potential benefits of lateralization.

Question 2

Lower than normal levels of hormones released from the ____, which raises or lowers metabolism, can mimic the symptoms of ____.

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland releases hormones that control metabolism. If its hormone level is lower than normal, metabolism can be lowered, that can cause symptoms similar to depression.

Question 3

The endocrine system responds to input from the nervous system, particularly from the ____.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is part of the brain that is responsible for regulating many of the body's physiological functions, including the endocrine system. It receives input from the nervous system and then sends signals to the pituitary gland to release hormones that help regulate various bodily functions.

Question 4

Mary Ann and Toby have been married for two years and are very happy. Each feels they receive a high level of support from the other and are very physically compatible. They may have higher than average levels of which hormone?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin is often referred to as the "love hormone" and is associated with bonding, trust, and physical affection, which aligns with their supportive and compatible relationship.

Question 5

Psychologists have described the human nervous system as the communication and control center for the body. The nervous system allows us to take in information from the environment, communicate the information to different parts of the body, and coordinate the body's response. The nervous system itself is made up of neurons, or nerve cells, that communicate with each other by receiving and transmitting electrochemical signals, called neurotransmission. All human behavior is made possible by the activity of individual neurons working together in the nervous system. Think about a simple action you do every day, like answering your phone. When you perform this routine act, what are the individual neurons in your nervous system doing to make it possible? 
In a multi-paragraph essay, explain how the activity of individual neurons enables you to perform a simple action like answering your phone. Be sure to describe the main parts of a neuron, explain the unique function of each part, and describe how neurons use electrochemical signals for neurotransmission. Include details from class materials, readings, and research on the nervous system to support your discussion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Psychologists have described the human nervous system...

Question 6

A surgeon had severed Barbara's corpus callosum in order to reduce the severity of her epileptic seizures. After the surgery, when she was shown an image in her left visual field, she could not ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A surgeon had severed Barbara's corpus callosum...

Question 7

Stefan is ____; therefore, he is nearly certain to lateralize language to his left hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

In most people, language is processed primarily in the left hemisphere of the brain. Studies have shown that the vast majority (around 90%) of right-handed individuals have left hemisphere language dominance. Therefore, since Stefan is right-handed, he is nearly certain to have left hemisphere language lateralization.

Question 8

You reach for a pot on the stove but it is much too hot, causing your hand to quickly withdraw from the handle. Explain how information traveled from your hand to your spinal cord.by describing the steps involved in generating and transmitting an action potential, and the steps involved in neuronal communication following the action potential.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You reach for a pot on the...

Question 9

The idea that a person's dominant hemisphere influences their creativity or ability to think logically is ____.

Accepted Answer

The idea that one hemisphere is dominant for creativity or logic is a popular myth about lateralization that has been debunked by research. While there may be some differences in specialization between the hemispheres, they are not as clear-cut or straightforward as previously thought, and both hemispheres are involved in most cognitive processes. The evidence that most left-handed individuals are employed as artists or musicians is not necessarily indicative of hemispheric dominance, but rather a cultural bias towards creative fields for left-handed individuals. The research findings on split-brain operations do show some differences in the way the hemispheres operate, but again, they are not as clear-cut as previously thought and both hemispheres are still involved in most processes. The idea of hemispheric dominance is also not particularly relevant to teachers working with children who have learning disabilities, as the focus would be on addressing the specific needs and challenges of individual students, not on trying to determine their hemispheric dominance.

Question 10

The ____, located just above the roof of the mouth and just below the ____, is often referred to as the body's master gland because many of the hormones it releases activate the body's other glands.

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is located just above the roof of the mouth and just below the hypothalamus. It is often referred to as the body's master gland because many of the hormones it releases activate the body's other glands.

Question 11

Hormones released from the ____ gland control the production and release of sex hormones by the ovaries and testes, initiating puberty and maintaining fertility.

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland produces hormones that stimulate the release of sex hormones from the ovaries and testes, which initiates puberty and maintains fertility. The other glands listed do not have a direct role in regulating sex hormones.

Question 12

The endocrine system is directly involved with ____.

Accepted Answer

The endocrine system is responsible for the secretion of hormones that regulate various bodily functions including arousal, metabolism, growth and sex. Movement and balance are controlled by the nervous system, pleasure and pain are controlled by the somatosensory system, and vision, hearing, and taste are controlled by the sensory systems.

Question 13

Piya suffers from severe jet lag when traveling between Bangkok and Boston. He might benefit from an added dose of the chemical messenger ____, which is endogenously released by the ____.

Accepted Answer

Piya would benefit from an added dose of melatonin, a chemical messenger that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is endogenously released by the pineal gland, and supplemental doses of it can help alleviate symptoms of jet lag by helping to reset the body's internal clock.

Question 14

Henry works the night shift at a convenience store. He sees a man entering the store with his hood up, hands in his pockets, and eyes darting around. This causes Henry's stress level to surge. At times of stress, pituitary hormones activate the ____ gland(s), which release(s)other hormones, including ____, that travel throughout the body and brain to provide a general "wake up" message.

Accepted Answer

The adrenal gland is responsible for releasing hormones such as cortisol in response to stress. This hormone helps to increase blood sugar, blood pressure, and provide a general "fight or flight" response throughout the body and brain. The other options (A, B, and C) are not directly related to the stress response.

Question 15

How do hormones differ from neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

Hormones are typically larger in size and target distant cells, while neurotransmitters are smaller in size and target adjacent cells or synapses.

Question 16

According to the text, "The nature of the autonomic nervous system is important to our understanding of stress. The sympathetic division was designed to deal with emergencies that could be resolved relatively quickly. Our ancestors either escaped that lion or they did not. Worrying about far distant dangers is a luxury that human beings did not have until quite recently." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your reasoning. What are the physical consequences of "worrying about far distant dangers?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, "The nature of...

Question 17

The endocrine system is comprised of a number of glands that release chemical messengers known as ____ into the ____.

Accepted Answer

The endocrine system releases hormones into the bloodstream, which then travel to target tissues to produce a response. Neurotransmitters are typically released by neurons into a synapse rather than directly into the bloodstream. Cerebrospinal fluid is not a major target for endocrine signaling.

Question 18

Elias is a young athlete and body builder who hopes to be a personal trainer someday. He sees that other athletes at the gym take ____ for performance enhancement; however, he is hesitant to take it because he is unsure of its side effects.

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone is often used by athletes and bodybuilders for performance enhancement, but it can have significant side effects, which is why Elias is hesitant.

Quiz 4: The Biological Mind: the Physical Basis of Behavior