Biological Bases of Behavior Midpoint Quiz (Module)

Question 1

Torin believes in nature’s influence on behavior, while Kyla believes in nurture’s influence. Which aligns with Torin’s view and Kyla’s view, respectively?

Answer 1

Genetic factors; environmental factors

Nature refers to genetic factors, and nurture refers to environmental influences.

Question 2

Jay is an evolutionary psychologist. He seeks to understand how traits and behavioral tendencies have been shaped by:

Answer 2

natural selection

Evolutionary psychologists focus on how natural selection shapes behavior tendencies.

Question 3

Why are findings from the study of fraternal twins important?

Answer 3

They are usually raised in similar environments, but they do not have the same genetic code

Fraternal twins share an environment but have different genetic codes, making them useful for studying environmental effects.

Question 4

What happens when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated?

Answer 4

Blood pressure decreases

The parasympathetic nervous system calms the body, conserving energy by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

Question 5

During a stress response, which part of the nervous system is responsible for preparing the body for a “fight or flight” reaction?

Answer 5

Sympathetic nervous system

The sympathetic nervous system arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations.

Question 6

Sarah struggles with learning new languages and forming memories after a car accident. Her doctor explains that this difficulty is due to damage in which brain structure?

Answer 6

Hippocampus

The hippocampus is crucial for forming new memories and learning. Damage to this area can impair these functions.

Question 7

Emily is able to perform voluntary movements like typing on a keyboard, thanks to which part of her nervous system?

Answer 7

Somatic nervous system

The somatic nervous system controls the body’s skeletal muscles, enabling voluntary movements.

Question 8

Paul has been experiencing frequent seizures, and his doctor suggests that this could be due to an undersupply of an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Which neurotransmitter is likely deficient, and how does this deficiency contribute to seizure activity?

Answer 8

GABA

GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. An undersupply of GABA can lead to seizures, tremors, and insomnia due to the lack of inhibitory signals to counterbalance excitatory signals.

Question 9

During a psychology experiment, participants are asked to perform a task that requires intense focus and quick reflexes. Which neurotransmitter is most likely to be actively involved in this process?

Answer 9

Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine helps control alertness and arousal, making it crucial for tasks that require focus and quick reflexes.

Question 10

Maria has been prescribed barbiturates to help manage her anxiety. Which of the following effects is she likely to experience from these drugs?

Answer 10

Reduced anxiety and impaired memory

Barbiturates are depressants that reduce central nervous system activity, thereby reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

Question 11

Which of the following drugs is often used as a sleep aid due to its ability to depress the central nervous system and reduce anxiety?

Answer 11

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are depressants that reduce central nervous system activity and are often used as sleep aids.

Question 12

David continues to use a drug despite facing significant life disruptions, including losing his job and damaging relationships with his family and friends. He finds it hard to stop using the drug even though he wants to. What condition does David most likely have?

Answer 12

Substance use disorder

Substance use disorder is characterized by continued use of a substance despite significant life disruptions and an inability to stop using the substance even when the individual desires to do so.

Question 13

After suffering a brain injury, a patient exhibits significant changes in personality and decision-making abilities. Considering the brain regions responsible for these functions, which brain region is most likely affected by the injury?

Answer 13

frontal lobe

The frontal lobe is responsible for personality, decision-making, and executive functions.

Question 14

Which brain imaging technique is most suitable for observing the enlarged ventricles associated with schizophrenia, given its ability to provide detailed anatomical images of the brain?

Answer 14

MRI
MRI provides detailed images of brain anatomy, which can be used to observe enlarged ventricles associated with schizophrenia.

Question 15

Oliver recently experienced a severe head injury that damaged his medulla. Which of the following functions is most likely to be affected?

Answer 15

Heartbeat and breathing

The medulla controls vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing.

Question 16

A researcher uses fMRI to study brain activity. Which of the following are they most likely observing?

Answer 16

Changes in blood flow and brain activity

fMRI measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

Question 17

John finds it difficult to make plans and judgments. Which part of his brain is likely involved?

Answer 17

Frontal lobes

The frontal lobes are involved in higher-order thinking, planning, and judgment.

Question 18

Paul suffered a brain injury that damaged his right hemisphere. Which of the following tasks is he most likely to struggle with?

Answer 18

Recognizing faces

The right hemisphere is primarily responsible for perceptual tasks, including recognizing faces.

Question 19

During brain surgery, electrical stimulation of a patient’s right temporal lobe causes them to hear sounds. What does this indicate about the function of the right temporal lobe?

Answer 19

It processes auditory information

The temporal lobes are involved in processing auditory information, and stimulation of this area can produce auditory sensations.

Question 20

John has been diagnosed with epilepsy and his seizures are being treated by severing the corpus callosum. What is the main reason for this procedure?

Answer 20

To prevent the two hemispheres from communicating

Severing the corpus callosum helps to prevent the spread of epileptic seizures by stopping the abnormal brain activity from bouncing between the hemispheres.