Question 1

The ________ division specializes in the control of the heart, lungs, and other organs that function involuntarily.

Accepted Answer

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling involuntary functions in the body, such as the operation of the heart, lungs, and other organs, without conscious effort.

Question 2

The ________ division acts to prepare the body for action in stressful situations.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for action in stressful situations, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response.

Question 3

Which nervous system arouses the body and prepares it for fight or flight during times of stress?

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body to respond to perceived threats by increasing heart rate, redirecting blood flow to muscles, and releasing adrenaline, among other physiological changes.

Question 4

For which of the following domains of thought and behaviour have behavioural geneticists identified a genetic component?

Accepted Answer

Behavioural geneticists have identified a genetic component in all of these domains: cognitive abilities, personality traits, and sexual orientation, indicating that genetics play a role, among other factors, in influencing these aspects of human thought and behavior.

Question 5

Which of the following sequences accurately reflects the relative sizes of the components of the human genome, ordered from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

DNA is the smallest component of the human genome, followed by genes, and then chromosomes.

Question 6

With respect to the basis of thought and behaviour, your text suggests that:

Accepted Answer

The text implies that genetic components influence behaviour, linking specific genes to certain behaviours and suggesting a genetic basis for diverse behaviours like schizophrenia, thus encompassing all options.

Question 7

Which of the following sequences accurately reflects the degree of specialization of fields within biological psychology, ordered from the broadest to the most specific

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology is the broadest field, focusing on how evolutionary principles influence human behavior and mental processes. Behavioural genetics is more specific, examining how genetic factors influence behavior. Genetic counselling is the most specific, applying genetic understanding to advise individuals and families about genetic conditions.

Question 8

Dr. Gamble injects genes into a patient's bloodstream to cure a particular disease. Dr. Gamble is using________

Accepted Answer

Gene therapy involves the introduction of genes into a patient's cells and tissues to treat a disease, particularly hereditary diseases where a defective mutant allele is replaced with a functional one.

Question 9

Dr. Ewing is advising a young woman about the risks involved in a potential pregnancy based on the woman's age and the hereditary illnesses present in her family and that of her husband. Dr. Ewing is a

Accepted Answer

Dr. Ewing is acting as a genetic counsellor, as this role involves advising individuals or families about the risks of genetic conditions, especially in the context of planning for children.

Question 10

How are hormones similar to neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

Hormones and neurotransmitters are similar because both serve as chemical messengers, facilitating communication within the body. However, their modes of transmission, speed, and pathways (e.g., bloodstream for hormones, synaptic gaps for neurotransmitters) differ, making options B and C incorrect.

Question 11

For what purpose are PET scans and MRI used?

Accepted Answer

PET scans and MRI are both imaging techniques used in medical diagnostics to create detailed images of the brain and other parts of the body, allowing for the observation of structures and sometimes functions within the brain.

Question 12

Zeke is having his brain scanned using one of the oldest imaging techniques. Zeke is being scanned using a(n):

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the oldest brain imaging techniques, developed in the early 20th century, used to record electrical activity of the brain.

Question 13

Ultimately extending from the medulla into the forebrain, the ________ functions to increase or decrease the brain's arousal in response to external stimulation.

Accepted Answer

The reticular formation is a network of neurons located in the brainstem that extends into the forebrain. It plays a crucial role in controlling arousal and consciousness, including the ability to increase or decrease the brain's arousal in response to external stimuli.

Question 14

The hypothalamus:

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in many important functions, including maintaining homeostasis (a steady internal environment), regulating survival behaviors such as feeding, fighting, fleeing, and mating, and controlling body temperature.

Question 15

Which area is largely responsible for voluntary body movements?

Accepted Answer

The motor area of the brain, located in the frontal lobe, is primarily responsible for controlling and executing voluntary body movements.

Question 16

In a neurophysiological investigation, a monkey makes an involuntary gesture when a portion of its brain is electrically stimulated. The area of the brain that was most likely stimulated is the:

Accepted Answer

The motor area of the cortex is responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements. Electrical stimulation of this area can cause involuntary gestures or movements, as the stimulation bypasses the brain's normal voluntary control mechanisms.

Question 17

Much of our understanding of the association areas comes from:

Accepted Answer

Our understanding of the association areas in the brain has significantly advanced through studying individuals who have suffered injuries. Observing the deficits that occur when specific areas of the brain are damaged has provided insights into the functions of those areas.

Question 18

Violet suffered an accident where she received a blow to the head. Since the accident, Violet has problems with her speech and memory. Which area is most likely to be damaged?

Accepted Answer

The association area of the brain is responsible for complex processes such as speech, decision making, and memory. Damage to this area can lead to problems with these functions, as described in Violet's case.

Question 19

Your text suggests that new brain cells may be created even during adulthood. Which of the following statements is the most likely response by the average person to this idea?

Accepted Answer

The idea that new brain cells can be created during adulthood contradicts a long-held belief that adults cannot generate new neurons, making option B the most likely response due to the surprise at this new information.

Question 20

Potential gender differences in the lateralization of language: nature or nurture?

Accepted Answer

The question of gender differences in the lateralization of language involves both biological factors (nature), such as differences in brain anatomy, and environmental factors (nurture), such as the way parents interact with children based on their gender. The corpus callosum, which is involved in communication between the brain's hemispheres, is often cited as being larger in females, potentially influencing language processing. Additionally, societal and parental influences can shape language development, with some studies suggesting differences in how parents communicate with boys and girls. Therefore, both nature and nurture play roles in this complex process.

Quiz 2: Biological Psychology: Exploring Neurons, Neurotransmitters, and Brain Functions