BioPsy

Question 1

What is meant by “monism”?

a. The idea that all forms of life evolved from a single ancestor
b. The idea that conscious and unconscious motivations combine to produce behavior
c. The idea that the mind is made of the same substance as the rest of the universe
d. The idea that the mind is one type of substance as matter is another

Answer 1

c. The idea that the mind is made of the same substance as the rest of the universe

Question 2

Of the following, which one is an example of an evolutionary explanation (as opposed to a functional explanation)?

a. People evolved a fear of snakes because many snakes are dangerous.
b. Humans have a (tiny) tailbone because our ancient monkey-like ancestors had a tail.
c. People evolved an ability to recognize faces because that ability is essential for cooperative social behaviors.
d. People evolved a tendency to form long-term male–female bonds because human infants benefit from the help of two parents during their long period of dependence.

Answer 2

b. Humans have a (tiny) tailbone because our ancient monkey-like ancestors had a tail.

Question 3

3.Of the following, which is a reason favoring the use of animals in biological psychology research aimed at solving human problems?

a. Nonhuman animals engage in all the same behaviors as humans.
b. One human differs from another, but nonhumans are nearly the same as one another.
c. The nervous system of nonhuman animals resembles that of humans in many ways.

Answer 3

c. The nervous system of nonhuman animals resembles that of humans in many ways.

Question 4

What does a “minimalist” favor with regard to animal research?

a. All research should have a minimum of at least 10 animals per group.
b. A minimum of three people should review each research proposal.
c. Interference with animal research should be held to a minimum.
d. Animal research is permissible but should be held to a minimum.

Answer 4

d. Animal research is permissible but should be held to a minimum.

Question 5

Santiago Ramón y Cajal was responsible for which of these discoveries?

a. The human cerebral cortex has many specializations to produce language.
b. The brain’s left and right hemispheres control different functions.
c. The nervous system is composed of separate cells.
d. Neurons communicate at specialized junctions called synapses.

Answer 5

c. The nervous system is composed of separate cells.

Question 6

What does an afferent axon do?

a. It controls involuntary behavior.
b. It controls voluntary behavior.
c. It carries output from a structure.
d. It brings information into a structure.

Answer 6

d. It brings information into a structure.

Question 7

Of these species, which probably has the longest axons?

a. Humans
b. Chimpanzees
c. Cheetahs
d. Giraffes

Answer 7

d. Giraffes

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT one of the four major structures that compose a neuron?

a. Dendrites
b. Glia
c. Soma
d. Axon
e. Presynaptic terminal

Answer 8

b. Glia

Question 9

Which of the following is something that glia do NOT do?

a. Synchronize activity of a group of axons
b. Remove waste material
c. Dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow to the most active brain areas
d. Conduct action potentials

Answer 9

d. Conduct action potentials

Question 10

An advantage of the blood–brain barrier is that it keeps out most ______. A disadvantage is that it also keeps out ______.

a. viruses . . . most nutrients
b. small molecules . . . fat-soluble molecules
c. harmful gases . . . oxygen
d. waste products . . . water

Answer 10

a. viruses . . . most nutrients

Question 11

Which of these chemicals cross the blood–brain barrier by active transport?

a. Oxygen, water, and fat-soluble molecules
b. Glucose and amino acids
c. Proteins
d. Viruses

Answer 11

b. Glucose and amino acids

Question 12

What makes brain cancers so difficult to treat?

a. Nearly all chemotherapy drugs fail to cross the blood–brain barrier.
b. Brain cancers spread more rapidly than other cancers.
c. The brain includes more pain receptors than other organs.
d. The brain has a very low metabolic rate.

Answer 12

a. Nearly all chemotherapy drugs fail to cross the blood–brain barrier.

Question 13

What is the brain’s main source of fuel?

a. Glucose
b. Glutamate
c. Thiamine
d. Proteins

Answer 13

a. Glucose

Question 14

When the neuron’s membrane is at rest, sodium ions are more concentrated ______ the cell, and potassium ions are more concentrated ______.

a. inside . . . outside
b. inside . . . inside
c. outside . . . inside
d. outside . . . outside

Answer 14

c. outside . . . inside

Question 15

When the membrane is at rest, the concentration gradient tends to draw potassium ions ______ the cell, and the electrical gradient draws them ______ the cell.

a. into . . . out of
b. into . . . into
c. out of . . . into
d. out of . . . out of

Answer 15

c. out of . . . into

Question 16

When the membrane is at rest, the concentration gradient tends to draw sodium ions ______ the cell, and the electrical gradient draws them ______ the cell.

a. into . . . out of
b. into . . . into
c. out of . . . into
d. out of . . . out of

Answer 16

b. into . . . into

Question 17

The sodium–potassium pump moves sodium ions ______ and moves potassium ions ______.

a. into the cell . . . out of the cell
b. into the cell . . . into the cell
c. out of the cell . . . into the cell
d. out of the cell. . . out of the cell

Answer 17

c. out of the cell . . . into the cell

Question 18

Suppose a neuron has a resting potential of −70 mV. If the potential goes to −80 mV, the change would be a ______.

a. depolarization
b. hyperpolarization

Answer 18

b. hyperpolarization

Question 19

Under what conditions does an axon produce an action potential?

a. Whenever the membrane is hyperpolarized
b. Whenever the membrane’s potential reaches the threshold
c. Whenever the membrane is depolarized
d. Whenever the membrane’s potential reaches zero

Answer 19

b. Whenever the membrane’s potential reaches the threshold

Question 20

During the rising portion of the action potential, which ions are moving across the membrane and in which direction?

a. Sodium ions move out.
b. Sodium ions move in.
c. Both sodium and potassium ions move in.
d. Potassium ions move in.

Answer 20

b. Sodium ions move in.

Question 21

After the action potential reaches its peak, the potential across the membrane falls toward its resting level. What accounts for this recovery?

a. The sodium–potassium pump removes the extra sodium.
b. Potassium ions move out because their channels are open, and the electrical gradient pushes them out.
c. Potassium ions move out because their channels are open, and the concentration gradient pushes them out.
d. Potassium ions move in.

Answer 21

c. Potassium ions move out because their channels are open, and the concentration gradient pushes them out.

Question 22

Which of the following is one way of stating the all-or-none law?

a. The amplitude of the action potential in one axon is the same as that in another axon.
b. At a given time, either all axons produce action potentials, or none do.
c. All stimuli that exceed the threshold produce equivalent responses in the axon.
d. During an action potential, all sodium channels open at the same time.

Answer 22

c. All stimuli that exceed the threshold produce equivalent responses in the axon.

Question 23

To which part or parts of a neuron does the all-or-none law apply?

a. Axons
b. Dendrites
c. Both axons and dendrites

Answer 23

a. Axons

Question 24

What does the myelin sheath of an axon accomplish?

a. It enables an axon to communicate with other axons.
b. It enables action potentials to travel both directions along an axon.
c. It enables nutrients to enter the axon.
d. It enables action potentials to travel more rapidly.

Answer 24

d. It enables action potentials to travel more rapidly.

Question 25

Is it true that we use only 10 percent of our brain? If so, what does that mean?

a. At any moment, only 10 percent of brain cells are active.
b. You could lose 90 percent of your brain and still do what you are doing now.
c. About 90 percent of the brain’s neurons are immature and not yet functional.
d. No, the statement is false and nonsensical.

Answer 25

d. No, the statement is false and nonsensical.

Question 26

Which animal species would have the longest axons?

Answer 26

The longest axons occur in the largest animals. For example, giraffes and elephants have axons that extend from the spinal cord to the feet, nearly 2 meters away.

Question 27

Identify the four major structures that compose a neuron.

Answer 27

Dendrites, soma (cell body), axon, and presynaptic terminal.

Question 28

Which chemicals cross the blood–brain barrier passively?

Answer 28

Small, uncharged molecules such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water cross the blood–brain barrier passively. So do chemicals that dissolve in the fats of the membrane.

Question 29

Which chemicals cross the blood–brain barrier by active transport?

Answer 29

Glucose, amino acids, purines, choline, certain vitamins, iron, and a few hormones.

Question 30

What is the difference between a hyperpolarization and a depolarization?

Answer 30

A hyperpolarization is an exaggeration of the usual negative charge within a cell (to a more negative level than usual). A depolarization is a decrease in the amount of negative charge within the cell.

Question 31

What is the relationship between the threshold and an action potential?

Answer 31

A depolarization that passes the threshold produces an action potential. One that falls short of the threshold does not produce an action potential.

Question 32

As the membrane reaches the peak of the action potential, what brings the membrane down to the original resting potential?

Answer 32

After the peak of the action potential, potassium ions exit the cell, driving the membrane back to the resting potential. Important note: The sodium–potassium pump is NOT responsible for returning the membrane to its resting potential. The sodium–potassium pump is too slow for this purpose.

Question 33

State the all-or-none law.

Answer 33

According to the all-or-none law, the size and shape of the action potential are independent of the intensity of the stimulus that initiated it. That is, every depolarization beyond the threshold of excitation produces an action potential of about the same amplitude and velocity for a given axon. 

Question 34

Suppose researchers find that axon A can produce up to 1,000 action potentials per second (at least briefly, with maximum stimulation), but axon B can never produce more than 100 per second (regardless of the strength of the stimulus). What could we conclude about the refractory periods of the two axons?

Answer 34

Axon A must have a shorter absolute refractory period, about 1 ms, whereas B has a longer absolute refractory period, about 10 ms.

Question 35

In a myelinated axon, how would the action potential be affected if the nodes were much closer together? How might it be affected if the nodes were much farther apart?

Answer 35

If the nodes were closer, the action potential would travel more slowly. If they were much farther apart, the action potential would be faster if it could successfully jump from one node to the next. When the distance becomes too great, the current cannot diffuse from one node to the next and still remain above threshold, so the action potentials would stop.

Question 36

What evidence led Sherrington to conclude that transmission at a synapse is different from transmission along an axon?

a. Chemicals that alter a synapse are different from those that affect action potentials.
b. The velocity of a reflex is slower than the velocity of an action potential.
c. Stains and microscopic observations demonstrate a gap at the synapse.
d. Reflexes can go in either direction, whereas axons transmit in only one direction.

Answer 36

b. The velocity of a reflex is slower than the velocity of an action potential.

Question 37

Although one pinch did not cause a dog to flex its leg, a rapid sequence of pinches did. Sherrington cited this observation as evidence for what?

a. Temporal summation
b. Spatial summation
c. Inhibitory synapses

Answer 37

a. Temporal summation

Question 38

3.Although one pinch did not cause a dog to flex its leg, several simultaneous pinches at nearby locations did. Sherrington cited this observation as evidence for what?

a. Temporal summation
b. Spatial summation
c. Inhibitory synapses

Answer 38

b. Spatial summation

Question 39

When a vigorous pinch excited a dog’s flexor muscle, it decreased excitation of the extensor muscles of the same leg. Sherrington cited this observation as evidence for what?

a. Temporal summation
b. Spatial summation
c. Inhibitory synapses

Answer 39

c. Inhibitory synapses

Question 40

5.During an epsp, the ___ gates in the membrane open. During an ipsp, the ___ gates open.

a. sodium . . . potassium or chloride
b. potassium . . . sodium or chloride
c. chloride . . . sodium or potassium

Answer 40

a. sodium . . . potassium or chloride

Question 41

In what way were Sherrington’s conclusions important for psychology as well as neuroscience?

a. He demonstrated the importance of unconscious motivations.
b. He demonstrated the importance of inhibition.
c. He demonstrated the phenomenon of classical conditioning.
d. He demonstrated the evolution of intelligence.

Answer 41

b. He demonstrated the importance of inhibition.

Question 42

What was Loewi’s evidence that neurotransmission depends on the release of chemicals?

a. He applied adrenaline to muscles and saw them contract.
b. He applied drugs at various synapses and observed excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials.
c. He stimulated one frog’s heart, collected fluid around it, transferred it to another frog’s heart, and saw change in its heart rate.
d. He stimulated certain nerves, collected the fluid around their terminals, and analyzed the contents chemically.

Answer 42

c. He stimulated one frog’s heart, collected fluid around it, transferred it to another frog’s heart, and saw change in its heart rate

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT one of the brain’s neurotransmitters?

a. Glutamate
b. GABA
c. Glucose
d. Serotonin

Answer 43

c. Glucose

Question 44

The amino acid tryptophan is a precursor to which neurotransmitter?

a. Serotonin
b. Dopamine
c. Glutamate
d. Acetylcholine

Answer 44

a. Serotonin

Question 45

Suppose you want to cause the presynaptic terminal of an axon to release its transmitter. How could you do so without an action potential?

a. Decrease the temperature at the synapse.
b. Use an electrode to produce IPSPs in the postsynaptic neuron.
c. Inject water into the presynaptic terminal.
d. Inject calcium into the presynaptic terminal.

Answer 45

d. Inject calcium into the presynaptic terminal.

Question 46

The brain’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter is ______, and its most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter is ______.

a. GABA . . . serotonin
b. serotonin . . . dopamine
c. Dopamine . . . glutamate
d. Glutamate . . . GABA

Answer 46

d. Glutamate . . . GABA

Question 47

In which of these ways does a metabotropic synapse differ from an ionotropic synapse?

a. Its effects are slower to start and last longer.
b. Its effects are faster to start and last longer.
c. Its effects are slower to start and briefer in duration.
d. Its effects are faster to start and briefer in duration.

Answer 47

a. Its effects are slower to start and last longer.

Question 48

What is a second messenger?

a. A chemical released by the presynaptic neuron a few milliseconds after release of the first neurotransmitter
b. A chemical released inside a cell after stimulation at a metabotropic synapse
c. A chemical that travels from the postsynaptic neuron back to the presynaptic neuron

Answer 48

b. A chemical released inside a cell after stimulation at a metabotropic synapse

Question 49

Which of the following is true of neuropeptides?

a. They are released close to their receptors.
b. A neuron releases them at a steady rate almost constantly.
c. They produce rapid, brief effects.
d. They are released either in large quantities or not at all.

Answer 49

d. They are released either in large quantities or not at all.

Question 50

Which of these drugs exerts its behavioral effects by binding to the same receptor as a neurotransmitter?

a. Amphetamine
b. Cocaine
c. Nicotine
d. Marijuana

Answer 50

c. Nicotine

Question 51

Which neurotransmitter is broken into two pieces to inactivate it, after it excites the postsynaptic neuron?

a. Dopamine
b. Acetylcholine
c. Glutamate
d. Serotonin

Answer 51

b. Acetylcholine

Question 52

What does a transporter protein do at a synapse?

a. It carries neurotransmitter molecules from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron.
b. It carries neurotransmitter molecules from the cell body to the presynaptic terminal.
c. It carries neurotransmitter molecules from neurons that have too much into neurons that need more.
d. It pumps used neurotransmitter molecules back into the presynaptic neuron.

Answer 52

d. It pumps used neurotransmitter molecules back into the presynaptic neuron.

Question 53

Except for the magnitude and speed of effects, methylphenidate (Ritalin) affects synapses the same way as which other drug?

a. Heroin
b. Cocaine
c. Nicotine
d. Marijuana

Answer 53

b. Cocaine

Question 54

Which of these drugs acts by inhibiting release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron?

a. Opiates such as morphine
b. Cannabinoids (found in marijuana)
c. Nicotine
d. Amphetamine and cocaine

Answer 54

b. Cannabinoids (found in marijuana)

Question 55

In contrast to the posterior pituitary, the anterior pituitary…

a. is neural tissue that releases oxytocin and vasopressin.
b. is glandular tissue that releases oxytocin and vasopressin.
c. is neural tissue that produces hormones that control other endocrine organs.
d. is glandular tissue that produces hormones that control other endocrine organs.

Answer 55

d. is glandular tissue that produces hormones that control other endocrine organs.

Question 56

In what way is a neuropeptide intermediate between neurotransmitters and hormones?

a. A neuropeptide diffuses more widely than other neurotransmitters but less than a hormone.
b. A neuropeptide is larger than other neurotransmitters but smaller than a hormone.
c. A neurotransmitter produces excitatory effects, a neuropeptide produces neutral effects, and a hormone produces negative effects.
d. A neurotransmitter produces slow effects, a neuropeptide produces faster effects, and a hormone produces still faster effects.

Answer 56

a. A neuropeptide diffuses more widely than other neurotransmitters but less than a hormone.

Question 57

What is the difference between temporal summation and spatial summation?

Answer 57

Temporal summation is the combined effect of quickly repeated stimulation at a single synapse. Spatial summation is the combined effect of several nearly simultaneous stimulations at several synapses onto one neuron.

Question 58

What was Sherrington’s evidence for inhibition in the nervous system?

Answer 58

Sherrington found that a reflex that stimulates a flexor muscle prevents contraction of the extensor muscles of the same limb. He therefore inferred that an interneuron that excited motor neurons connected to the flexor muscle also inhibited the input to the extensor muscle.

Question 59

Can an inhibitory message flow along an axon?

Answer 59

No. Only action potentials propagate along an axon. Inhibitory messages—IPSPs—decay over time and distance.

Question 60

What was Loewi’s evidence that neurotransmission depends on the release of chemicals?

Answer 60

When Loewi stimulated a nerve that increased or decreased a frog’s heart rate, he could withdraw fluid from the area around the heart, transfer it to another frog’s heart, and thereby increase or decrease its rate also.

Question 61

What does a highly active brain area do to increase its blood supply?

Answer 61

In a highly active brain area, many stimulated neurons release nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels in the area and thereby increases blood flow to the area.

Question 62

Name the three catecholamine neurotransmitters.

Answer 62

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine

Question 63

When the action potential reaches the presynaptic terminal, which ion must enter the presynaptic terminal to evoke release of the neurotransmitter?

Answer 63

Calcium

Question 64

How do ionotropic and metabotropic synapses differ in speed and duration of effects?

Answer 64

Ionotropic synapses act more quickly and more briefly. 

Question 65

What are second messengers, and which type of synapse relies on them?

Answer 65

At metabotropic synapses, the neurotransmitter attaches to its receptor and thereby releases a chemical (the second messenger) within the postsynaptic cell, which alters metabolism or gene expression of the postsynaptic cell. 

Question 66

How are neuropeptides special compared to other transmitters?

Answer 66

Neuropeptides are released only after prolonged stimulation, but when they are released, they are released in large amounts by all parts of the neuron, not just the axon terminal. Neuropeptides diffuse widely, producing long-lasting effects on many neurons.

Question 67

What happens to acetylcholine molecules after they stimulate a postsynaptic receptor?

Answer 67

The enzyme acetylcholinesterase breaks acetylcholine molecules into two smaller molecules, acetate and choline, which are then reabsorbed by the presynaptic terminal.

Question 68

What happens to serotonin and catecholamine molecules after they stimulate a postsynaptic receptor?

Answer 68

Most serotonin and catecholamine molecules are reabsorbed by the presynaptic terminal. Some of their molecules are broken down into inactive chemicals, which then diffuse away.

Question 69

Which part of the pituitary—anterior or posterior—is neural tissue, similar to the hypothalamus? Which part is glandular tissue and produces hormones that control the secretions by other endocrine organs?

Answer 69

The posterior pituitary is neural tissue, like the hypothalamus. The anterior pituitary is glandular tissue and produces hormones that control several other endocrine organs.

Question 70

In what way is a neuropeptide intermediate between neurotransmitters and hormones?

Answer 70

Most neurotransmitters are released in small amounts close to their receptors. Neuropeptides are released into a brain area in larger amounts or not at all. When released, they diffuse more widely. Hormones are released into the blood for diffuse delivery throughout the body.

Question 71

The term meaning toward the stomach side is ___, and its opposite is ___.

a .medial . . . lateral
b. lateral . . . medial
c. ventral . . . dorsal
d. dorsal . . . ventral

Answer 71

c. ventral . . . dorsal

Question 72

The term meaning toward the midline is ___, and its opposite is ___.

a. medial . . . lateral
b. lateral . . . medial
c. ventral . . . dorsal
d. dorsal . . . ventral

Answer 72

a. medial . . . lateral

Question 73

If two structures are on the same side of the body, they are ___ to each other. If they are on opposite sides, they are ___.

a. medial . . . lateral
b. lateral . . . medial
c. ipsilateral . . . contralateral
d. contralateral . . . ipsilateral

Answer 73

c. ipsilateral . . . contralateral

Question 74

A plane that shows structures as viewed from the left or right side is called what?

a. Sagittal
b. Frontal
c. Coronal
d. Horizontal

Answer 74

a. Sagittal

Question 75

What is the difference between the dorsal and ventral roots of the spinal cord?

a. The dorsal roots control “fight-or-flight” activity, and the ventral roots control vegetative, nonemergency responses.
b. The dorsal roots control vegetative, nonemergency responses, and the ventral roots control “fight-or-flight” activity.
c. The dorsal roots contain sensory input, and the ventral roots contain motor output.
d. The dorsal roots contain motor output, and the ventral roots contain sensory input.

Answer 75

c. The dorsal roots contain sensory input, and the ventral roots contain motor output.

Question 76

Why do most cold remedies increase heart rate and blood pressure?

a. These drugs block the sympathetic nervous system.
b. These drugs block the parasympathetic nervous system.
c. These drugs block the ventral roots of the spinal cord.
d. These drugs block the dorsal roots of the spinal cord.

Answer 76

b. These drugs block the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 77

Of the following, which one is part of the forebrain?
a. Cerebellum
b. Pons
c. Superior colliculus
d. Hippocampus

Answer 77

d. Hippocampus

Question 78

The pituitary gland is attached to which brain structure?

a. Cerebellum
b. Medulla
c. Thalamus
d. Hypothalamus

Answer 78

d. Hypothalamus

Question 79

If we compare the brains of humans to those of smaller mammals, which of these patterns do we find?

a. The location of the visual cortex varies relative to other brain areas.
b. The proportion of the brain devoted to the cerebral cortex is smaller in humans.
c. The proportion of the brain devoted to the cerebellum is about the same.
d. The relative size of the midbrain is larger in humans.

Answer 79

c. The proportion of the brain devoted to the cerebellum is about the same.

Question 80

Which of these is in the temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex?

a. Primary visual cortex
b. Primary auditory cortex
c. Primary somatosensory cortex
d. Primary motor cortex

Answer 80

b. Primary auditory cortex

Question 81

Which of these is in the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex?

a. Primary visual cortex
b. Primary auditory cortex
c. Primary somatosensory cortex
d. Primary motor cortex

Answer 81

c. Primary somatosensory cortex

Question 82

Which of these is in the occipital lobe of the cerebral cortex?

a. Primary visual cortex
b. Primary auditory cortex
c. Primary somatosensory cortex
d. Primary motor cortex

Answer 82

a. Primary visual cortex

Question 83

Which of these is in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex?

a. Primary visual cortex
b. Primary auditory cortex
c. Primary somatosensory cortex
d. Primary motor cortex

Answer 83

d. Primary motor cortex

Question 84

The main functions of the prefrontal cortex include which of the following?

a. Perceiving the location of body parts in space
b. Providing a pool of immature neurons to replace those damaged in other brain areas
c. Coordination of slow, repetitive movements
d. Working memory and weighing the pros and cons of a possible action

Answer 84

d. Working memory and weighing the pros and cons of a possible action

Question 85

Which of the following is necessary for binding to occur?

a. Perceiving different aspects of a sensation as coming from the same location
b. Correctly perceiving the size and shape of a stimulus
c. Perceiving the direction of movement of an object
d. Correctly perceiving the color of an object

Answer 85

a. Perceiving different aspects of a sensation as coming from the same location

Question 86

Which of the following is a method to inactivate a brain area temporarily?

a. Stereotaxic instrument
b. Transcranial magnetic stimulation
c. Lesion
d. Ablation

Answer 86

b. Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Question 87

Which of these is the first step in using the optogenetic technique?

a. Inject a radioactive chemical into the blood.
b. Insert an electrode into the brain.
c. Subject the brain to a strong magnetic field.
d. Attach light-sensitive proteins to a virus.

Answer 87

d. Attach light-sensitive proteins to a virus.

Question 88

Which of these is the first step for positron-emission tomography (PET)?

a. Inject a radioactive chemical into the blood.
b. Insert an electrode into the brain.
c. Subject the brain to a strong magnetic field.
d. Attach light-sensitive proteins to a virus.

Answer 88

a. Inject a radioactive chemical into the blood.

Question 89

What is one advantage of fMRI over PET scans?

a. The fMRI technique measures activity on a millisecond-by-millisecond basis.
b. The fMRI technique does not require inserting an electrode into the head.
c. The fMRI technique does not expose the brain to radioactivity.
d. The fMRI technique identifies which brain areas are most active at a given moment.

Answer 89

c. The fMRI technique does not expose the brain to radioactivity.

Question 90

Suppose someone demonstrates that a particular brain area becomes active when people listen to music. What would be a good way to test whether this brain area is really specialized for music perception?

a. Test whether the fMRI recordings are stronger in people who enjoy music more than others do.
b. Test whether this brain area becomes silent when someone is not listening to music.
c. Examine the size of this brain area in nonhuman animals.
d. Test whether we can use fMRI recordings to guess what kind of music someone is hearing.

Answer 90

d. Test whether we can use fMRI recordings to guess what kind of music someone is hearing.

Question 91

Which of these methods measures brain anatomy but NOT brain activity?

a. EEG
b. PET
c. MRI
d. fMRI

Answer 91

c. MRI

Question 92

Comparing MRI and fMRI, which one(s) measure the responses of brain chemicals to a magnetic field? Which one(s) show which brain areas are most active at the moment?

a. Only MRI measures responses of brain chemicals to a magnetic field. Both show which brain areas are most active at the moment.
b. Only fMRI measures responses of brain chemicals to a magnetic field. Only MRI shows which brain areas are most active at the moment.
c. Both measure responses of brain chemicals to a magnetic field. Only fMRI shows which brain areas are most active at the moment.
d. Both measure responses of brain chemicals to a magnetic field. Both show which brain areas are most active at the moment.

Answer 92

c. Both measure responses of brain chemicals to a magnetic field. Only fMRI shows which brain areas are most active at the moment.

Question 93

In which regard, if either, do human brains exceed those of all other species?

a. Humans have the largest brains in total mass.
b. Humans have the largest brain-to-body ratio.
c. Humans do not exceed all other species in either regard.

Answer 93

c. Humans do not exceed all other species in either regard.

Question 94

Most studies using modern methods show a moderate positive correlation between brain size and IQ scores. Nevertheless, interpreting these results is problematic. Why?

a. As children grow older, their brain size increases but their IQ decreases.
b. When people are sleepy or sick, their brain size remains the same but their IQ performance drops.
c. On average, men have larger brains than women, but equal IQ scores.
d. Some parts of the brain are more important for IQ than other parts are.

Answer 94

c. On average, men have larger brains than women, but equal IQ scores.

Question 95

In which way do men and women differ most, on the average?

a. Intellectual performance
b. Gray matter (neuron cell bodies)
c. White matter (axons)

Answer 95

c. White matter (axons)

Question 96

Nearly all neuroscientists and philosophers support the position of ____.

monism
exceptionalism
dualism
relativism

Answer 96

monism

Question 97

A(n) ____ explanation relies on activity of the brain and other organs.

ontogenetic
evolutionary
physiological
functional

Answer 97

physiological

Question 98

Human language developed as the result of genes and the opportunity to hear language during a sensitive period in early life. What type of explanation is this?

physiological
ontogenetic
evolutionary
functional

Answer 98

ontogenetic

Question 99

Mapping out the relationship between shared bone structures across different species suggests that there is a(n) ____ explanation.

ontogenetic
evolutionary
behavioral
physiological

Answer 99

evolutionary

Question 100

The branching fibers that form the information-receiving pole of the nerve cells are called _____.

motor neurons
dendrites
sensory neurons
axons

Answer 100

dendrites

Question 101

Neurons typically have one ____, but many ____.

dendrite; axons
axon; dendrites
cell body; axons
dendrite; cell bodies

Answer 101

axon; dendrites

Question 102

As compared to dendrites, axons usually ____.

form the information-receiving pole of the neuron
are shorter in length
are covered with myelin
taper in diameter toward their periphery

Answer 102

are covered with myelin

Question 103

Glucose enters the brain via which type of transport?

indirect transport
direct transport
passive transport
active transport

Answer 103

active transport

Question 104

Electrical gradients lead to the ____.

general movement of ions into the neuron
general movement of ions out of the neuron
movement of ions to areas having the same electrical charges
movement of ions to areas having opposite electrical charges

Answer 104

movement of ions to areas having opposite electrical charges

Question 105

What occurs when depolarization is less than the cell’s threshold?

Sodium is prevented from crossing the membrane.
Potassium is prevented from crossing the membrane.
Sodium crosses the membrane only slightly more than usual.
The cell will still produce an action potential.

Answer 105

Sodium crosses the membrane only slightly more than usual.

Question 106

What is the proper ordering of a reflex arc?

motor neuron, sensory neuron, interneuron.
sensory neuron, motor neuron, interneuron.
motor neuron, interneuron, sensory neuron.
sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron.

Answer 106

sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron.

Question 107

Inhibitory synapses on a neuron ____.

hyperpolarize the postsynaptic cell
weaken the cell’s polarization
increase the probability of an action potential
move the potential closer to the cell’s threshold

Answer 107

hyperpolarize the postsynaptic cell

Question 108

Which statement is TRUE about the spontaneous firing rates of neurons?

EPSPs increase the frequency.
EPSPs decrease the frequency.
IPSPs increase the frequency.
One EPSP equals the effect of two IPSPs.

Answer 108

EPSPs increase the frequency.

Question 109

The research that firmly established synaptic communication as chemical was ____.

Elliot’s adrenaline mimicking sympathetic activation
Loewi’s transfer of fluid from stimulated frog hearts
Sherrington’s study of reflexes
Eccles’s measurement of IPSPs

Answer 109

Loewi’s transfer of fluid from stimulated frog hearts

Question 110

A hormone is a chemical that is ____.

secreted by a gland to the outside world
conveyed by the blood to other organs, whose activity it influences
capable of activating or inhibiting muscle fibers
a feedback message from the postsynaptic neuron to the presynaptic neuron

Answer 110

conveyed by the blood to other organs, whose activity it influences

Question 111

Who is most associated with the idea that consciousness should be regarded as a fundamental property?

Chalmers
Descartes
Leibniz
Tinbergen

Answer 111

Chalmers

Question 112

An adult male sparrow sings its normal song ____.

if he hears the song during a sensitive period early in his life
only when he hears a female bird singing
if his own species’ song is the first song he hears when young
regardless of whether or not he has ever heard his species’ song from another bird

Answer 112

if he hears the song during a sensitive period early in his life

Question 113

Consciousness occurs ____.

in all kinds of nervous systems some of the time
in certain parts of certain kinds of nervous system all of the time
in certain parts of certain kinds of nervous systems some of the time
in all kinds of nervous systems all of the time

Answer 113

in certain parts of certain kinds of nervous systems some of the time

Question 114

A(n) ____ investigates the chemical reactions in the brain.

neurochemist
psychophysiologist
comparative psychologist
neurologist

Answer 114

neurochemist

Question 115

Gaps in the insulating material that surrounds axons are known as ____.

interpeduncular nuclei
nodes of Ranvier
myelin synapses
presynaptic terminals

Answer 115

nodes of Ranvier

Question 116

What mechanism prevents or slows some chemicals from entering the brain, while allowing others to enter?

a threshold
a blood-brain barrier
an endoplasmic wall
a differential-drug inhibitor

Answer 116

a blood-brain barrier

Question 117

What will most affect the speed of an action potential?

the strength of the stimulus
the time since the last action potential
the length of the axon
the resistance of the membrane

Answer 117

the resistance of the membrane

Question 118

According to the all-or-none law, ____.

all neurons produce an action potential at the same time or none at all
all of the extracellular sodium enters the axon, or none at all
once an axon reaches threshold, the amplitude and velocity of an action potential are nearly equal each time-
neurons are either active all the time or not at all

Answer 118

once an axon reaches threshold, the amplitude and velocity of an action potential are nearly equal each time-

Question 119

Which event is most likely to be dependent on ionotropic effects?

drowsiness
hormone release
hunger
rapid muscle contraction

Answer 119

rapid muscle contraction

Question 120

Avoiding foods with lecithin, such as eggs and peanuts, would affect the levels of which neurotransmitter the most?

acetylcholine
serotonin
GABA
endorphin

Answer 120

acetylcholine

Question 121

Reuptake is an alternative to which other process?

recycling of neurotransmitters
breaking down neurotransmitters via an enzymatic process
absorbing neurotransmitters by postsynaptic neurons
re-releasing neurotransmitters from postsynaptic neurons

Answer 121

breaking down neurotransmitters via an enzymatic process

Question 122

Exocytosis is the process by which neurotransmitters are ____.

released from the presynaptic neuron
synthesized
destroyed
secreted into synaptic vesicles

Answer 122

released from the presynaptic neuron

Question 123

The presynaptic terminal stores high concentrations of neurotransmitter molecules in ____.

axons
vesicles
peptides
dendrites

Answer 123

vesicles

Question 124

A metabotropic synapse, by way of its second messenger, ____.

has effects localized to one point on the membrane
can influence activity in much of the presynaptic cell
can influence activity in much or all of the postsynaptic cell
has minimal effect on the postsynaptic cell

Answer 124

can influence activity in much or all of the postsynaptic cell

Question 125

When an action potential reaches the end of an axon, the depolarization causes what ionic movement in the presynaptic cell?

sodium out of the cell
lithium out of the cell
iron into the cell
calcium into the cell

Answer 125

calcium into the cell

Question 126

Suppose you have high sensitivity to the taste of PTC. If your mother also has high sensitivity, what (if anything) can you predict about your father’s taste sensitivity?

a. He has high taste sensitivity.
b. He has low taste sensitivity.
c. We do not have enough information to make a prediction.

Answer 126

c. We do not have enough information to make a prediction.

Question 127

Suppose you have high sensitivity to the taste of PTC. If your mother has low sensitivity, what (if anything) can you predict about your father’s taste sensitivity?

a. He has high taste sensitivity.
b. He has low taste sensitivity.
c. We do not have enough information to make a prediction.

Answer 127

a. He has high taste sensitivity.

Question 128

What is a sex-limited gene?

a. A gene on the X chromosome
b. A gene on the Y chromosome
c. A gene that sex hormones activate
d. A gene that becomes active during sexual activity

Answer 128

c. A gene that sex hormones activate

Question 129

Suppose someone identifies a “gene for” certain aspects of sexual development. In what ways might that statement be misleading?

a. The statement didn’t specify whether the gene was dominant or recessive.
b. Many aspects of sexual development are not apparent until puberty.
c. Almost any characteristic depends on many genes, as well as influences from the environment.

Answer 129

c. Almost any characteristic depends on many genes, as well as influences from the environment.

Question 130

How does an epigenetic change differ from a mutation?

a. An epigenetic change is a duplication or deletion of part of a gene.
b. An epigenetic change is an alteration of gene activity without structurally replacing any part of the gene itself.
c. An epigenetic change alters more than one gene at a time.
d. An epigenetic change is beneficial, whereas a mutation is harmful.

Answer 130

b. An epigenetic change is an alteration of gene activity without structurally replacing any part of the gene itself.

Question 131

How does adding a methyl or acetyl group to a histone protein alter gene activity?

a. A methyl group turns genes off. An acetyl group loosens histone’s grip and increases gene activation.
b. A methyl group turns genes on. An acetyl group tightens histone’s grip and decreases gene activation.
c. A methyl group increases the probability of a mutation, whereas an acetyl group decreases the probability.
d. A methyl group decreases the probability of a mutation, whereas an acetyl group increases the probability.

Answer 131

a. A methyl group turns genes off. An acetyl group loosens histone’s grip and increases gene activation.

Question 132

Which of the following is NOT one of the main types of evidence to estimate the heritability of some behavior?

a. Comparisons between monozygotic and dizygotic twins
b. Similarities between adopted children and their biological parents
c. Examination of identified genes that might vary between people showing one behavior and another
d. Comparisons of people living in different cultures

Answer 132

d. Comparisons of people living in different culture

Question 133

Q
Suppose someone determines the heritability of IQ scores for a given population. Then society changes in a way that provides the best possible opportunity for everyone within that population. How will the heritability of IQ change, if at all?

a. Heritability will increase.
b. Heritability will decrease.
c. Heritability will stay the same.

Answer 133

a. Heritability will increase.