Question 1

The chemical units that provide instructions on how specific proteins are to be produced are called _____.

Accepted Answer

Genes are the chemical units that provide instructions on how specific proteins are to be produced. Chromosomes carry genes, but they are not the units that provide instructions. Genomic refers to the entire set of genes within an organism. Autosomes are a type of chromosome, but they do not specifically provide instructions for protein production.

Question 2

What are genes? Explain how they influence our physical and psychological traits.
Module: 3.1

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are genes? Explain how they influence...

Question 3

Your best friends from high school invite you over for pizza and a friendly game of cards. Name six parts of the brain and explain the role each plays during your evening of food, fellowship, and playing cards.
Module: 3.3

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your best friends from high school invite...

Question 4

The autonomic nervous system controls skeletal muscles.

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing but not skeletal muscles which are controlled by the somatic nervous system.

Question 5

The brain stem's two main structures are the medulla and the pons.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The brain stem is composed of three main structures: the medulla, the pons, and the midbrain.

Question 6

After split-brain surgery, patients are unable to walk or to care for the physical needs of everyday life.

Accepted Answer

Patients who have undergone split-brain surgery are still able to walk and care for their physical needs. The surgery typically only severs the corpus callosum, which is a structure connecting the two halves of the brain, and does not affect the overall functioning of the brain itself. However, some patients may experience temporary difficulty with certain tasks or have difficulties with language comprehension and communication.

Question 7

A major question address by comparing monozygotic and dizygotic twins, or comparing adopted children with their adoptive and biological parents, is:

Accepted Answer

Comparing monozygotic and dizygotic twins or adopted children with their adoptive and biological parents allows researchers to explore the extent to which genes, the environment, and their interaction influence behavior. This helps to clarify the role of genetic and environmental factors in behavioral and psychological traits.

Question 8

A positive electrical charge that is carried away from the cell body and down the length of the axon is a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

The description provided refers to an action potential, which is a brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron. Option A - refractory period refers to a brief period of time after an action potential during which the neuron is unable to generate another action potential. Option B - resting potential refers to the electrical charge of a neuron when it is not transmitting information. Option D - dendrites are the branched extensions of a neuron that receive incoming information from other neurons.

Question 9

A(n) _____ is a drug that blocks the actions of a neurotransmitter.

Accepted Answer

An antagonist is a drug that blocks the actions of a neurotransmitter. Agonists mimic or enhance the actions of a neurotransmitter. Stop agent is not a commonly used term in neuroscience. Endorphin is a type of neurotransmitter but not a drug that blocks the actions of other neurotransmitters.

Question 10

Transcranial magnetic stimulation uses a powerful magnetic field to temporarily stimulate or inactivate neural circuits.

Accepted Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses a powerful magnetic field to stimulate or inactivate specific neural circuits, making it an effective tool for investigating brain function and treating certain neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Question 11

In evolutionary terms, why are symmetrical facial features important?

Accepted Answer

Symmetrical facial features are believed to indicate health and good genes. Studies have shown that people with symmetrical faces are perceived as more attractive, healthy, and trustworthy. This is because symmetry suggests that an individual has had good development and has experienced less environmental stress or genetic mutations that could result in asymmetric features. Therefore, choosing a mate with symmetrical facial features could offer better reproductive success by increasing the likelihood of having healthy offspring.

Question 12

How can scientists study the living brain since it is protected by the skull? The textbook notes several methods for this type of study. Describe the different approaches that have been used to explore the workings of the brain.
Module: 3.3

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can scientists study the living brain...

Question 13

An advertisement claims that we need to take care of our brains because once we are born we will never be able to grow new nerve cells, and that all changes that take place in the brain are the result of the formation and loss of connections between cells. What is a scientifically accurate response to this advertisement?

Accepted Answer

This advertisement is false as neurogenesis, the process of generating new nerve cells, occurs in several brain regions after we are born. Research has shown that the hippocampus, for example, is one area in which neurogenesis occurs throughout life.

Question 14

If you read a news article titled "Scientists discover gene associated with ability to learn," what is a likely response a psychologist would post to the comment section?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists understand that learning is a complex process influenced by many different factors, including genetics. Therefore, they would likely point out that this discovery is just one of many genes associated with learning, and that it is not a simple or definitive determination of genetic influence on learning.

Question 15

The central nervous system consist of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord. Option A is incorrect because the nerves controlling digestion and other automatic functions are part of the autonomic nervous system, which is not part of the central nervous system. Option B is incorrect because voluntary muscles are part of the somatic nervous system, which is not part of the central nervous system. Option D is incorrect because the somatic and autonomic systems are subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system, not the central nervous system.

Question 16

Evolution is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

Evolution is best defined as a change in gene frequency over generations. This process occurs through mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. It does not necessarily result in a gradual increase in complexity or a progression toward a complex human brain, although these may be outcomes in some cases. Adapting to survival challenges is also a key aspect of evolution, but it is not a complete definition of the term. Therefore, option B is the best choice for defining evolution.

Question 17

Describe the electrical and chemical communication within and between neurons.
Module: 3.2

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the electrical and chemical communication within...

Question 18

Explain how twin and adoption studies can be used by behavioral geneticists to estimate the heritability for specific traits.
Module: 3.1

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how twin and adoption studies can...

Question 19

To reverse the effects of neurotoxic venom from a snakebite, which of the following actions would likely be most effective?

Accepted Answer

Neurotoxic venom from a snakebite works by blocking neurotransmitter release, particularly that of acetylcholine. By giving the patient a substance that allows for the resumption of transmission of acetylcholine, the effects of the venom can be reversed. Options A, C and D would not be effective in reversing the effects of neurotoxic venom from a snakebite.

Question 20

A neuron will fire when the ions inside the cell body are:

Accepted Answer

A neuron will fire when the ions inside the cell body are shifted to a threshold greater than the resting potential. This threshold is necessary to reach to trigger an action potential, which propagates down the axon and allows the neuron to communicate with other neurons.

Quiz 3: Biological Psychology