Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of glial cells in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

They form the blood-brain barrier, respond to injury, and assist in learning and memory.

Question 2

A patient suffers a stroke that damages the left hemisphere of their cerebral cortex. Which of the following deficits is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty with fine-tuned language skills such as speech comprehension and production.

Question 3

Which brain imaging technique uses strong magnetic fields to visualize brain activity by measuring changes in blood oxygenation?

Accepted Answer

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Question 4

During an action potential, which of the following best describes the movement of ions across the neuron's membrane?

Accepted Answer

Sodium ions ($Na^+$) rush into the cell, followed by potassium ions ($K^+$) leaving the cell.

Question 5

Which neurotransmitter is primarily excitatory in the central nervous system and increases the likelihood that a neuron will fire?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate

Question 6

A drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin in the synaptic cleft would be classified as:

Accepted Answer

A serotonin agonist

Question 7

Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres and allows for communication between them?

Accepted Answer

Corpus callosum

Question 8

Damage to the basal ganglia is most likely to result in which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty controlling movement, as seen in Parkinson's disease

Question 9

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing auditory information and contains Wernicke's area?

Accepted Answer

Temporal lobe

Question 10

A person is startled by a loud noise and their heart rate increases rapidly. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for this response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division

Question 11

Which hormone, released by the adrenal glands during stress, is responsible for boosting energy production in muscle cells while restricting other bodily functions?

Accepted Answer

Adrenaline (epinephrine)

Question 12

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of heritability?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of a trait's variability in a population that is due to genetic differences.

Question 13

A researcher uses twin studies to estimate the heritability of intelligence. Which finding would suggest a strong genetic influence?

Accepted Answer

Identical twins raised apart are more similar in intelligence than fraternal twins raised together.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the process of synaptic plasticity?

Accepted Answer

The strengthening of synaptic connections as a result of learning and experience.

Question 15

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the principle of localization of function in the brain?

Accepted Answer

A person with damage to Broca's area has difficulty producing speech but can still comprehend language.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why the effects of hormones are generally slower and longer-lasting than those of neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

Hormones are released into the bloodstream and affect distant organs, while neurotransmitters act locally at synapses.

Question 17

A person is able to move their right arm but cannot feel touch or pain in it. Which area of the brain is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Somatosensory cortex in the left parietal lobe

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Coordinating movement and maintaining balance

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of an agonist drug action?

Accepted Answer

A drug that mimics endorphins and binds to opioid receptors, increasing their activity

Question 20

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of genotype versus phenotype?

Accepted Answer

A person has a set of genes (genotype) that code for observable traits such as height and eye color (phenotype).

Biological Psychology: Chapter 3 Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards