Question 1

According to the neuroscience paradigm,mental disorders are likely the result of

Accepted Answer

The neuroscience paradigm suggests that mental disorders can result from various neurochemical imbalances, including excesses or deficiencies in neurotransmitters and receptor abnormalities.

Question 2

The cerebellum is crucial for

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is primarily responsible for coordinating and regulating movement, including balance and posture, so the best choice is A. It is not directly involved in speech, sight, or hearing.

Question 3

A reciprocal gene-environment interaction

Accepted Answer

A reciprocal gene-environment interaction suggests that there is a bidirectional relationship between genes and the environment. This means that genes may influence an individual's behavior or preferences, leading them to seek out certain environments. In turn, the environment may also influence how genes are expressed. For example, an individual with a genetic predisposition for obesity may be more likely to choose an unhealthy diet, which then exacerbates their genetic risk for obesity.

Question 4

Fred has schizophrenia and is taking a medication that works by blocking dopamine receptors.Fred is most likely taking which kind of drug?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia is hypothesized to be caused by an excess of dopamine activity in certain regions of the brain. Blocking dopamine receptors would decrease dopamine activity and is an effective treatment for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. An antagonist is a type of drug that binds to and blocks the activity of a receptor, making it the most likely choice for the medication that Fred is taking.

Question 5

Which of the following mechanisms adjust the sensitivity of postsynaptic receptors to dopamine,norepinephrine or serotonin?

Accepted Answer

Second messengers such as cyclic AMP can modulate the sensitivity of postsynaptic receptors to neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. This process is known as receptor desensitization or sensitization. Antagonists and neurotransmitters themselves can also affect receptor sensitivity, but they do not directly adjust it in the same way that second messengers do. Nerve impulses alone do not have a direct effect on receptor sensitivity.

Question 6

Dr.Arthur and his colleagues are investigating a new drug for depression that stimulates serotonin receptors..Dr.Arthur is most likely investigating which kind of drug?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Arthur is investigating a drug that stimulates serotonin receptors, which suggests that it is an agonist (a drug that enhances a neurotransmitter's activity) rather than an antagonist (a drug that inhibits a neurotransmitter's activity), a second messenger (a signaling molecule activated by neurotransmitters), or a synaptic blocker (a drug that prevents neurotransmitter release).

Question 7

Nick was born with a predisposition for aggression and impulsivity which has resulted in frequent trouble with the law.As a result of time spent in jail,Nick has developed alcohol dependence.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nick was born with a predisposition for...

Question 8

The thalamus is the part of the brain which

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is responsible for relaying sensory pathways for hearing and vision. It receives information from the sensory organs and sends them to the appropriate regions of the cerebral cortex for further processing, interpretation and response.

Question 9

The gray matter in the brain is made up of

Accepted Answer

Gray matter in the brain is primarily composed of neurons. Fissures and sulci refer to the folds and grooves on the surface of the brain. Meninges are the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Question 10

The major connection between the two hemispheres in the brain is called

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a band of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing for communication and coordination between the two sides. A is incorrect because gray matter refers to the cell bodies of neurons, and is found throughout the brain. B is incorrect because the parietal lobe is a specific area within each hemisphere, primarily responsible for processing sensory information. C is incorrect because the brain stem is a separate structure located at the base of the brain, responsible for regulating basic bodily functions like breathing and heart rate.

Question 11

The small gap between brain cells that is involved in message transmission is called the

Accepted Answer

The small gap between brain cells involved in message transmission is called the synapse.

Question 12

The neuroscience paradigm

Accepted Answer

The neuroscience paradigm asserts that mental disorders are linked to aberrant processes in the brain. This approach views psychopathology as a result of deviations from "normal" brain functioning in terms of structure and activity, which can be studied using various neuroscience techniques. This approach does not focus on genes or dopamine as the main culprits in psychopathology, but rather looks at the broader neurological mechanisms at work. It does not discount the role of environmental factors, but instead seeks to understand how these factors may impact brain functioning to contribute to mental disorders.

Question 13

The part of your brain closest to your ears that deals with sound discrimination is the _________ lobe.

Accepted Answer

The temporal lobe is responsible for processing auditory information and is located on the lower side of the brain, close to the ears. The frontal lobe is responsible for decision-making and problem-solving, the occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information, and the parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information from the body.

Question 14

Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters allow nerve impulses to cross the synapse from one neuron to another, enabling communication between neurons. They are not involved in repairing neurons, adjusting their sensitivity to new inputs, or changing the speed of neural transmissions.

Question 15

A major current challenge for researchers within the genetic paradigm is to show the mechanism by which

Accepted Answer

The current challenge for researchers within the genetic paradigm is to show how genes and environments influence each other, known as gene-environment interaction. This is because both genes and environments play a role in the development of complex traits and disorders, and understanding how they interact is crucial for developing effective interventions and treatments. While the other options are also important areas of research within the genetic paradigm, they do not represent the current major challenge.

Question 16

Second messengers play an important role in

Accepted Answer

Second messengers are molecules, such as cyclic AMP or calcium ions, that relay signals from receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell, such as enzymes or ion channels. By modulating the activity of these intracellular targets, second messengers can help neurons adjust their receptor sensitivity, which is important for processes such as synaptic plasticity and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. However, second messengers do not moderate agonists or antagonists, nor do they adjust the sensitivity of the thalamus specifically.

Question 17

The cortex consists of ____ layers of tightly packed neurons.

Accepted Answer

The cortex consists of six layers of tightly packed neurons. This is a well-established fact in neuroscience and can be found in many textbook and scientific literature.

Question 18

Neurotransmitters are pumped back into the presynaptic cell by

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are pumped back into the presynaptic cell by a process called reuptake. This allows for the recycling and re-use of neurotransmitters in the next round of synaptic communication.

Question 19

Which of the following neurotransmitters is NOT mentioned in the text as being implicated in psychopathology?

Accepted Answer

All of the neurotransmitters listed (GABA, Dopamine, Serotonin) are mentioned as being implicated in psychopathology, indicating that they all have some link to mental health disorders according to the text.

Question 20

Neurotransmitters

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are released by neurons and transmit nerve impulses across the synapse to other neurons or muscles.

B, C, and D are incorrect:
B - EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, not the presence or levels of neurotransmitters.
C - Genetic information is transmitted through DNA, not neurotransmitters.
D - While certain neurotransmitters may contribute to behavioral problems, their primary function is to transmit nerve impulses, not block information.

Quiz 2: Current Paradigms in Psychopathology