Biopsychology - Practice Test Answers

3. 1 Human Genetics A(n) ________ is a sudden, permanent change in a sequence of DNA. a. allele b. chromosome c. epigenetic d. mutation D ________ refers to a person’s genetic makeup, while ________ refers to a person’s physical characteristics. a. Phenotype; genotype b. Genotype; phenotype c. DNA; gene d. Gene; DNA B ________ is the field of study that focuses on genes and their expression. a. Social psychology b. Evolutionary psychology c. Epigenetics d. Behavioral neuroscience C Humans have ________ pairs of chromosomes. a. 15 b. 23 c. 46 d. 78 B Critical Thinking Questions The theory of evolution by natural selection requires variability of a given trait. Why is variability necessary and where does it come from? Variability is essential for natural selection to work. If all individuals are the same on a given trait, there will be no relative difference in their reproductive success because everyone will be equally adapted to their environments on that trait. Mutations are one source of variability, but sexual reproduction is another important source of variation given that individuals inherit half of their genetic makeup from each of their parents. 3.2 Cells of the Nervous System The ________ receive(s) incoming signals from other neurons. a. soma b. terminal buttons c. myelin sheath d. dendrites D A(n) ________ facilitates or mimics the activity of a given neurotransmitter system. a. axon b. SSRI c. agonist d. antagonist C Multiple sclerosis involves a breakdown of the ________. a. soma b. myelin sheath c. synaptic vesicles d. dendrites B An action potential involves Na+ moving ________ the cell and K+ moving ________ the cell. a. inside; outside b. outside; inside c. inside; inside d. outside; outside A Critical Thinking Questions Cocaine has two effects on synaptic transmission: it impairs reuptake of dopamine and it causes more dopamine to be released into the synapse. Would cocaine be classified as an agonist or antagonist? Why? As a reuptake inhibitor, cocaine blocks the normal activity of dopamine at the receptor. The function causing more dopamine to be released into the synapse is agonist because it mimics and strengthens the effect of the neurotransmitter. 3 Chapter 3 - Review Questions KEY Cocaine would be considered an agonist because by preventing the enzymatic degradation of the neurotransmitters, it increases the potential time that these neurotransmitters might be active in the synapse. Drugs such as lidocaine and novocaine act as Na+ channel blockers. In other words, they prevent sodium from moving across the neuronal membrane. Why would this particular effect make these drugs such effective local anesthetics? The action potential is initiated by an influx of Na+ into the neuron. If this process is prevented, then no action potentials in neurons in a given area will occur. Therefore, any painful stimuli would not result in action potentials carrying that information to the brain. 3.3 Parts of the Nervous System Our ability to make our legs move as we walk across the room is controlled by the ________ nervous system. a. autonomic b. somatic c. sympathetic d. parasympathetic B If your ________ is activated, you will feel relatively at ease. a. somatic nervous system b. sympathetic nervous system c. parasympathetic nervous system d. spinal cord C The central nervous system is comprised of ________. a. sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems b. organs and glands c. somatic and autonomic nervous systems d. brain and spinal cord D Sympathetic activation is associated with ________. a. pupil dilation b. storage of glucose in the liver c. increased heart rate d. both A and C D Critical Thinking Questions What are the implications of compromised immune function as a result of exposure to chronic stress? Chronic stress can lead to increased susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections, and potentially an increased risk of cancer. Ultimately, this could be a vicious cycle with stress leading to increased risk of disease, disease states leading to increased stress and so on. Examine [link], illustrating the effects of sympathetic nervous system activation. How would all of these things play into the fight or flight response? Most of these effects directly impact energy availability and redistribution of key resources and heightened sensory capacity. The individual experiencing these effects would be better prepared to fight or flee. 3.4 The Brain & Spinal Cord The ________ is a sensory relay station where all sensory information, except for smell, goes before being sent to other areas of the brain for further processing. a. amygdala b. hippocampus c. hypothalamus d. thalamus D Damage to the ________ disrupts one’s ability to comprehend language, but it leaves one’s ability to produce words intact. a. amygdala b. Broca’s Area c. Wernicke’s Area d. occipital lobe C A(n) ________ uses magnetic fields to create pictures of a given tissue. a. EEG b. MRI c. PET scan d. CT scan B Which of the following is not a structure of the forebrain? a. thalamus b. hippocampus c. amygdala d. substantia nigra D Critical Thinking Questions Before the advent of modern imaging techniques, scientists and clinicians relied on autopsies of people who suffered brain injury with resultant change in behavior to determine how different areas of the brain were affected. What are some of the limitations associated with this kind of approach? The same limitations associated with any case study would apply here. In addition, it is possible that the damage caused changes in other areas of the brain, which might contribute to the behavioral deficits. Such changes would not necessarily be obvious to someone performing an autopsy, as they may be functional in nature, rather than structural. Which of the techniques discussed would be viable options for you to determine how activity in the reticular formation is related to sleep and wakefulness? Why? The most viable techniques are fMRI and PET because of their ability to provide information about brain activity and structure simultaneously. 3.5 The Endocrine System The two major hormones secreted from the pancreas are: a. estrogen and progesterone b. norepinephrine and epinephrine c. thyroxine and oxytocin d. glucagon and insulin The ________ secretes messenger hormones that direct the function of the rest of the endocrine glands. a. ovary b. thyroid c. pituitary d. pancreas The ________ gland secretes epinephrine. a. adrenal b. thyroid c. pituitary d. master The ________ secretes hormones that regulate the body’s fluid levels. a. adrenal b. pituitary c. testes d. thyroid Critical Thinking Questions Hormone secretion is often regulated through a negative feedback mechanism, which means that once a hormone is secreted it will cause the hypothalamus and pituitary to shut down the production of signals necessary to secrete the hormone in the first place. Most oral contraceptives are made of small doses of estrogen and/or progesterone. Why would this be an effective means of contraception? The introduction of relatively low, yet constant, levels of gonadal hormones places the hypothalamus and pituitary under inhibition via negative feedback mechanisms. This prevents the alterations in both estrogen and progesterone concentrations that are necessary for successful ovulation and implantation. Chemical messengers are used in both the nervous system and the endocrine system. What properties do these two systems share? What properties are different? Which one would be faster? Which one would result in long-lasting changes? Both systems involve chemical messengers that must interact with receptors in order to have an effect. The relative proximity of the release site and target tissue varies dramatically between the two systems. In neurotransmission, reuptake and enzymatic breakdown immediately clear the synapse. Metabolism of hormones must occur in the liver. Therefore, while neurotransmission is much more rapid in signaling information, hormonal signaling can persist for quite some time as the concentrations of the hormone in the bloodstream vary gradually over time.