Deck 2: The Role of Biology in Psychology

Question 1

Neurons are able to communicate when

A) terminal buttons plug into receptor sites on adjacent dendrites.
B) neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind with receptors on the postsynaptic dendrite.
C) electric signals jump across the synapse to the adjacent neuron.
D) chemicals released into the synapse are converted to neurotransmitters that bind with receptors.

Answer 1

neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind with receptors on the postsynaptic dendrite.

Question 2

The basic building blocks of the nervous system are the

A) neurons.
B) endocrine glands.
C) dendrites.
D) glial cells.

Answer 2

neurons.

Question 3

Which of the following best summarizes the main function(s)of your nervous system?

A) It allows the right side of your brain to communicate with the left side of your brain.
B) It regulates the oxygen in your blood, protects you from pain, and helps your body eliminate waste.
C) It allows you to receive sensory information, process that information, and then respond to it.
D) It produces vital bodily fluids such as bile and regulates the body's secretion of these fluids.

Answer 3

It allows you to receive sensory information, process that information, and then respond to it.

Question 4

In the nervous system,the cells that receive,integrate,and transmit information are the

A) axons.
B) neurons.
C) dendrites.
D) glial cells.

Question 5

The part of the neuron that collects information from other neurons and integrates it is the

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

Question 6

The human body's nervous system is built from billions of nerve cells,which are called

A) neurotransmitters.
B) neurons.
C) axons.
D) hormones.

Question 7

A myelin sheath is a fatty layer that protects the axon,so it is most like the

A) remote control for a TV.
B) insulation around a pipe.
C) layers of a cake.
D) thermostat of a heater.

Question 8

In the nervous system,the job of the axons is to ________ other neurons.

A) transmit action potentials to
B) integrate information from
C) detect information from
D) release neurotransmitters to

Question 9

The spinal cord is part of the ________ nervous system.

A) sensory
B) peripheral
C) somatic
D) central

Question 10

The parts of the neuron that act like mailboxes because they receive information from other places are called the

A) terminal buttons.
B) axons.
C) dendrites.
D) myelin sheaths.

Question 11

In reuptake,neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron,which

A) allows sodium ions to enter the neuron and potassium ions to leave the neuron.
B) signals the cell body to produce an inhibitory signal.
C) creates an electrical charge that triggers an action potential.
D) removes the neurotransmitter from the synapse, and stops stimulation of receptors.

Question 12

The site where communication occurs between neurons is called the

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

Question 13

Juan is trying to find the exact puzzle piece that will fit into a certain place in his puzzle.He says to his friend,"Hey! Finding a puzzle piece to fit into the puzzle is a lot like

A) the firing of an action potential."
B) how the unique structure of a neurotransmitter must fit a certain receptor site."
C) how a neuron reaches a resting state."
D) the activity log that the nervous system maintains."

Question 14

In the nervous system,each neuron communicates with

A) one or two other neurons.
B) a random subset of the other neurons in the nervous system.
C) many other neurons in an organized network.
D) all of the other neurons in the nervous system.

Question 15

When inactive,the electrical charge inside a neuron is slightly more negative than the electrical charge outside of the neuron.This difference in electrical charge is the

A) action potential.
B) resting state.
C) inhibitory signal.
D) excitatory signal.

Question 16

When a neuron is stimulated enough,it

A) fires an action potential.
B) becomes an agonist.
C) achieves a resting state.
D) becomes an antagonist.

Question 17

After an action potential is fired,the neuron returns to its resting state with the help of

A) neurotransmitters.
B) the synapse.
C) reuptake.
D) the sodium potassium pump.

Question 18

One part of the neuron covers and protects it much like bark that covers the trunk of a tree.In a neuron this protective covering is called

A) the terminal button.
B) the axon.
C) a dendrite.
D) the myelin sheath.

Question 19

The brain and the spinal cord make up the ________ nervous system.

A) central
B) peripheral
C) primary
D) autonomic

Question 20

Your nervous system allows you to do all of the following EXCEPT

A) receive sensory input.
B) perceive and remember information.
C) make behavioral responses.
D) alter genetic codes.

Question 21

The area of the brain that allows one to initiate voluntary motor activity is the

A) hindbrain.
B) midbrain.
C) occipital lobe.
D) temporal lobe.

Question 22

Lisa has problems sleeping,so she goes to a sleep clinic.At the clinic the researchers measure her brain's electrical activity as she sleeps by using the technique of

A) electroencephalographs (EEGs).
B) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
C) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
D) phrenology.

Question 23

If a new drug interferes with how the neurotransmitter acetylcholine functions,then the drug

A) is an agonist.
B) is an antagonist.
C) creates an inhibitory signal.
D) creates an excitatory signal.

Question 24

Which specialized area of the brain is crucial to the production of speech?

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

Question 25

The action of neurotransmitters is ________ by agonists and is ________ by antagonists.

A) increased; decreased
B) decreased; increased
C) increased; not affected
D) not affected; decreased

Question 26

A neurotransmitter that is important in muscle contraction is

A) epinephrine.
B) norepinephrine.
C) acetylcholine.
D) serotonin.

Question 27

Basic survival functions such as heart rate are controlled by the hindbrain structure called the

A) thalamus.
B) cerebellum.
C) hippocampus.
D) medulla.

Question 28

The measure of brain activity that temporarily "turns off" parts of the brain to see how specific brain regions are affected is called

A) phrenology.
B) transcranial magnetic stimulation.
C) functional magnetic resonance imaging.
D) an electroencephalograph.

Question 29

Drugs that increase the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA

A) reduce the symptoms of depression.
B) improve motor control.
C) are used to treat anxiety.
D) may cause seizures.

Question 30

You are running a 5K race and suddenly you experience an adrenaline rush.This burst of energy is caused by your body releasing the neurotransmitter

A) acetylcholine.
B) epinephrine.
C) glutamate.
D) dopamine.

Question 31

Roberto's grandmother has Alzheimer's disease.Therefore,you would expect to see too ________ of the neurotransmitter ________ in her brain.

A) much; acetylcholine
B) little; acetylcholine
C) much; dopamine
D) little; dopamine

Question 32

Lionel has Parkinson's disease and has difficulty starting motor movements because the neurons involved with dopamine activity are

A) dying off.
B) producing too much dopamine.
C) no longer producing dopamine.
D) rapidly multiplying.

Question 33

Because nicotine increases how the neurotransmitter acetylcholine functions,it is an

A) inhibitory neurotransmitter.
B) excitatory neurotransmitter.
C) antagonist.
D) agonist.

Question 34

Suppose you begin feeling extremely depressed and want a prescription drug to alleviate your depression.The drug you should take should affect the neurotransmitter

A) dopamine.
B) epinephrine.
C) serotonin.
D) acetylcholine.

Question 35

Benita is playing a very exciting video game and she finds that she wants to keep playing it more and more.Benita's desire is most likely activating the neurons in her brain that produce more of the neurotransmitter

A) acetylcholine.
B) epinephrine.
C) serotonin.
D) dopamine.

Question 36

Marco has great difficulty walking.His doctor told him that this was due to a decreasing amount of a neurotransmitter in his brain.Which of the following neurotransmitters would be likely to cause this difficulty?

A) epinephrine
B) norepinephrine
C) glutamate
D) dopamine

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a modern method for accurately measuring brain activity?

A) phrenology
B) transcranial magnetic stimulation
C) functional magnetic resonance imaging
D) an electroencephalograph

Question 38

The spinal cord is composed of two distinct types of tissue.One type of tissue is composed of the cell bodies of neurons,which do not have myelin on their axons.This tissue in the spinal cord is called

A) substantia nigra
B) gray matter
C) nucleus accumbens
D) white matter

Question 39

Chemical substances that carry messages from one neuron to the next are called

A) agonists.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) hormones.
D) antagonists.

Question 40

One's motivations and emotions are controlled by the

A) hindbrain.
B) cerebellum.
C) forebrain.
D) parietal lobe.

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a subcortical structure in the forebrain?

A) substantia nigra
B) amygdala
C) basal ganglia
D) hippocampus

Question 42

Yves has been drinking.He has difficulty walking a straight line when asked to do so by a police officer.Apparently,Yves's ________ is functioning poorly.

A) cerebellum
B) thalamus
C) amygdala
D) hippocampus

Question 43

Mrs.Fine is highly interested in learning about the emotions of her fourth graders.Which of the following journal articles would be a good fit for her interests?

A) "What You Need to Know about Your Thalamus"
B) "The Basics of Basal Ganglia"
C) "How the Cerebellum Works"
D) "The Amazing Amygdala"

Question 44

The basal ganglia is a brain structure that is important in

A) planning and producing movement.
B) regulating emotions.
C) synthesizing incoming information.
D) thinking.

Question 45

The brain structure that is associated with the formation of memories is the

A) thalamus.
B) cerebellum.
C) hippocampus.
D) hypothalamus.

Question 46

Damage to the ________ might cause problems with coordination and balance.

A) hippocampus
B) cerebellum
C) amygdala
D) temporal lobe

Question 47

Visual information is primarily processed in the ________ lobes of the cerebral cortex.

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

Question 48

Doctors finally understood why a child had difficulty sleeping.They discovered that she had a large tumor located in the part of her hindbrain called the

A) thalamus.
B) hypothalamus.
C) hippocampus.
D) pons.

Question 49

Miranda is working in a laboratory and comes across a rat that is grossly overweight and seems unable to stop eating.The researcher tells Miranda that the rat has a brain lesion.Which part of the forebrain most likely has the lesion?

A) amygdala
B) hypothalamus
C) substantia nigra
D) pons

Question 50

Which of the following brain structures plays an important role in how we respond to fearful things?

A) hypothalamus
B) hippocampus
C) amygdala
D) thalamus

Question 51

A post office receives lots of incoming mail,organizes it,and then sends it out to various locations.Which part of the brain is a lot like a post office?

A) basal ganglia
B) hypothalamus
C) thalamus
D) cerebellum

Question 52

The part of the brain that is responsible for the sense of touch and for picturing the layout of spaces in the environment is the ________ lobes.

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

Question 53

According to Maguire and colleagues' study on the brain structures of London taxi drivers,which part of a taxi driver's brain is more likely to be larger than normal?

A) frontal lobe
B) hippocampus
C) cerebellum
D) thalamus

Question 54

The thalamus receives nearly all sensory information before relaying it to the cortex.What is the one sensation that is the exception to this rule?

A) smell
B) vision
C) hearing
D) taste

Question 55

Information travels from our sensory receptors to the ________ in the brain,which relays it to the cortex.

A) basal ganglia
B) hypothalamus
C) thalamus
D) cerebellum

Question 56

The brain structure that connects the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex is called the

A) thalamus.
B) basal ganglia.
C) temporal lobe.
D) corpus callosum.

Question 57

Brad has experienced a relatively severe left hemisphere stroke.As a result,he is unable to move his right arm and has a great deal of difficulty with planning and attention.The stroke most likely caused damage to the ________ lobes.

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

Question 58

Lucy is pregnant and every time she smells cheese she gags and has to fight the urge to throw up.Lucy's response is most likely caused by the

A) pons.
B) cerebellum.
C) medulla.
D) hypothalamus.

Question 59

Mario is highly afraid of spiders.Which part of the brain would be activated if he were to enter a room that had a lot of spiders?

A) hypothalamus
B) hippocampus
C) amygdala
D) thalamus

Question 60

Auditory information is processed in the ________ lobes of the cerebral cortex.

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

Question 61

The communication system in your body by which hormones influence thoughts,behaviors,and actions is the ________ system.

A) somatic nervous
B) sympathetic
C) parasympathetic
D) endocrine

Question 62

What might happen to a person born with a dysfunction of the endocrine system?

A) The person would have difficulty controlling motor movements.
B) The person would experience problems with sexual development.
C) The person would have difficulty interpreting emotional expressions.
D) The person would experience problems with emotional arousal.

Question 63

The somatic nervous system is NOT responsible for processing information about

A) feeling sad after learning you did poorly on a test.
B) the tingling sensations from your arm when it falls asleep.
C) sensing where your foot is on the stairs as you climb them.
D) feeling a mosquito when it lands on your neck.

Question 64

Samantha recently became blind and is learning to use her fingers to read in braille.The part of her brain that will be activated by touching the bumps on the page as she reads the braille is the ________ lobes.

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

Question 65

The somatic nervous system processes information between the central nervous system and one's

A) glands.
B) internal organs.
C) skin, muscles, and joints.
D) eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

Question 66

Jonas has experienced a relatively severe right hemisphere stroke.As a result,he has been diagnosed with hemineglect.That is,he is unable to notice anything on the left side of his body.The location of the stroke is most likely within the ________ lobes.

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

Question 67

A child gets a severe blow to the head from an accident.Although her eyes are still fully functional,she can no longer see.Based on this information,her doctor determines that the brain area most likely damaged in the accident is the ________ lobes.

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

Question 68

As you work outside in the yard,you work up a pretty good sweat.Your sweating is due in part to the functioning of your ________ system.

A) somatic nervous
B) autonomic nervous
C) central nervous
D) endocrine

Question 69

The somatic nervous system allows

A) hormones to secrete.
B) movement of the muscles and joints.
C) signals to be transmitted to the body's glands.
D) the body to return to a calm, resting state.

Question 70

The ovaries,testes,and adrenal gland are all part of the ________ system.

A) pituitary
B) endocrine
C) autonomic nervous
D) somatic nervous

Question 71

Nasim is driving on a snow-covered road,and her car begins to slide.The quick behavioral response and the increased heart rate and respiration she experiences are most likely due to the ________ nervous system.The feeling of relief and decrease in heart rate and respiration once she has the car under control again are most likely due to the ________ nervous system.

A) parasympathetic; sympathetic
B) sympathetic; parasympathetic
C) autonomic; somatic
D) somatic; autonomic

Question 72

If your hand were to automatically jerk back after accidentally touching a hot kettle,which of the following systems would be responsible for this moment?

A) somatic nervous
B) sympathetic nervous
C) parasympathetic nervous
D) endocrine

Question 73

People who were at the scene of the Boston Marathon bombing probably experienced

A) an activation of their sympathetic nervous systems.
B) increased activity in the parietal lobes.
C) temporary changes to their somatic nervous systems.
D) permanent changes to their endocrine systems.

Question 74

Growth hormones have all of the following effects EXCEPT for increasing

A) intelligence.
B) bone strength.
C) strength.
D) muscle mass.

Question 75

After cautiously walking home and arriving safely from her late-night class,Selma notices that both her heart rate and breathing slow down.This automatic return to a normal state is due to the activity of her ________ nervous system.

A) somatic
B) sympathetic
C) parasympathetic
D) endocrine

Question 76

The central nervous system is made up of the

A) somatic and peripheral nervous systems.
B) brain and spinal cord.
C) somatic nervous system and the brain.
D) peripheral nervous system and the spinal cord.

Question 77

Your body is prepared for defensive action by the ________ system.

A) somatic nervous
B) sympathetic nervous
C) parasympathetic nervous
D) endocrine

Question 78

When walking to his car late at night,Otto is extra vigilant and his body is on alert for danger.These responses are due to the actions of the ________ system.

A) somatic nervous
B) sympathetic
C) central nervous
D) endocrine

Question 79

When you paint with a paintbrush,your brain sends messages to your finger muscles so that your fingers move in specific ways.This example illustrates the functions of the ________ system.

A) somatic nervous
B) autonomic nervous
C) parasympathetic
D) endocrine

Question 80

Endocrine glands release

A) neurotransmitters.
B) receptors.
C) hormones.
D) glutamate.