Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of neuroplasticity?

Accepted Answer

The brain's capacity to reorganize and form new neural connections after injury or experience.

Question 2

A researcher is studying identical twins raised apart to determine the influence of genetics on intelligence. What is the primary advantage of this research design?

Accepted Answer

It allows for the separation of genetic and environmental contributions to intelligence.

Question 3

Which hormone is most directly involved in the body's response to stress, and what is its primary function?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol; increases glucose availability for energy.

Question 4

A patient with damage to Broca's area in the left hemisphere is most likely to experience which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Impaired ability to produce speech.

Question 5

Which method is commonly used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow?

Accepted Answer

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Question 6

According to evolutionary psychology, which behavior is most likely to have developed because it increased reproductive success?

Accepted Answer

Preference for sweet foods due to their high energy content.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains how nerve cells (neurons) communicate?

Accepted Answer

By releasing neurotransmitters across synapses to transmit signals.

Question 8

A split-brain patient is shown an object in their left visual field. Which hand will they use to pick up the object, and why?

Accepted Answer

Left hand, because the right hemisphere receives information from the left visual field and controls the left hand.

Question 9

Which equation best represents the resting membrane potential of a neuron?

Accepted Answer

$$E_{rest} = \frac{RT}{F} \ln \left( \frac{[K^+]_{out}}{[K^+]_{in}} \right)$$

Question 10

A person suffers a stroke that damages the right parietal lobe. Which deficit is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Neglect of the left side of their body and space.

Question 11

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of neuroplasticity in rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

A patient with a spinal cord injury regains movement after intensive physical therapy, as undamaged neurons form new connections.

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the transmission of pain signals?

Accepted Answer

Substance P

Question 13

In adoption studies, which finding would most strongly support the role of environment in shaping behavior?

Accepted Answer

Adopted children resemble their adoptive parents in intelligence.

Question 14

Which of the following drugs acts as an agonist at dopamine receptors and is commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

L-DOPA

Question 15

A lesion in the hippocampus would most likely result in which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty forming new memories.

Question 16

Which structure in the nervous system is responsible for relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex?

Accepted Answer

Thalamus

Question 17

Which equation describes the action potential threshold in a neuron?

Accepted Answer

$$V_{threshold} \approx -55\ \mathrm{mV}$$

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

Which brain imaging technique is most suitable for detecting rapid changes in electrical activity during a cognitive task?

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Question 20

A person is given a drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin. What effect is this drug most likely to have?

Accepted Answer

Increase serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft, potentially improving mood.

Biological Psychology: Genes, Nervous System, and Brain Function

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