Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are made up of DNA, which contains genes.

Question 2

A researcher is studying the heritability of intelligence using monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Which finding would most strongly support a genetic influence on intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins raised apart are more similar in intelligence than dizygotic twins raised together.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of epigenetics?

Accepted Answer

A gene is turned on or off due to environmental factors such as diet or stress.

Question 4

According to evolutionary psychology, which of the following traits is most likely to be passed on to future generations?

Accepted Answer

A trait that increases an individual's reproductive success.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

They support, nourish, and protect neurons.

Question 6

A neuron at rest has a membrane potential of approximately $$-70\ \mathrm{mV}. $$What happens when the neuron reaches the threshold of excitation?

Accepted Answer

An action potential is triggered.

Question 7

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates gene-environment interaction?

Accepted Answer

A person with a genetic predisposition for high intelligence excels in a stimulating educational environment.

Question 8

If the heritability of a trait is 0.8, what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

80% of the variation in the trait within a population is due to genetic differences.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with heritable traits that increase reproductive success are more likely to pass on their genes.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct sequence of neural communication?

Accepted Answer

Dendrite → Cell body → Axon → Synapse

Question 11

A person is born with a genetic mutation that prevents the production of a certain protein. Which biological structure is most directly responsible for this outcome?

Accepted Answer

The gene containing instructions for the protein

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why monozygotic twins are used in behavioral genetics research?

Accepted Answer

They share 100% of their genes, allowing researchers to study environmental effects.

Question 13

During an action potential, what is the sequence of events regarding the neuron's membrane potential?

Accepted Answer

Depolarization → Repolarization → Hyperpolarization

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Having brown eyes

Question 15

A psychologist is interested in how gene expression changes over a person's lifetime. Which concept is most relevant to this research?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics

Question 16

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of heritability?

Accepted Answer

Height differences among individuals in a population are largely due to genetic differences.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a function of the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Producing hormones for digestion

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the refractory period in a neuron?

Accepted Answer

The time immediately after an action potential when the neuron cannot fire another action potential.

Question 19

A psychologist observes that a certain behavior is more common in children who have a particular gene, but only if they were raised in a stressful environment. This finding best illustrates which concept?

Accepted Answer

Gene-environment interaction

Question 20

Which of the following is the best example of a multi-step problem involving both genetics and environment?

Accepted Answer

A child with a genetic predisposition for musical ability excels after years of music lessons.

Chp. 3 (first half) Biological Psychology: Genes, Evolution, and Neural Communication

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