Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of heritability in behavioral genetics?

Accepted Answer

The proportion of variation in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences.

Question 2

In a twin study, monozygotic twins are found to have a heritability estimate for depression of $$h^2 = 0.76$. What does this value indicate?

Accepted Answer

76% of the variation in depression among the studied population is due to genetic differences.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key difference between monozygotic and dizygotic twins?

Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins share 100% of their genes, while dizygotic twins share about 50%.

Question 4

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of epigenetics?

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.

Question 5

A researcher is interested in the influence of both genes and environment on intelligence. Which type of study would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Adoption study

Question 6

Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with the regulation of mood and is implicated in depression?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin (5-HT)

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the function of myelin in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

It insulates axons to increase the speed of electrical signal transmission.

Question 8

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the 'fight or flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (A)

Question 9

A patient with Parkinson's disease is most likely to have a deficiency in which neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine (DA)

Question 10

Which of the following best explains the process of natural selection as described by Darwin?

Accepted Answer

Favorable traits become more common in a population because they increase reproductive success.

Question 11

Which cell type is primarily responsible for immune defense in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Microglia

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of neurotransmitters at the synapse?

Accepted Answer

They transmit chemical signals from one neuron to another across the synaptic cleft.

Question 13

If a neuron is at its resting membrane potential, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

The inside of the neuron is more negative relative to the outside.

Question 14

Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate (GLU)

Question 15

A researcher finds that the heritability of anxiety is $$h^2 = 0.48$ in a population. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

48% of the variation in anxiety in this population is due to genetic differences.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the function of GABA in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

It is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, reducing neuronal excitability.

Question 17

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the concept of gene-environment interaction?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Which of the following is a function of astrocytes in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

They provide structural and metabolic support for neurons.

Question 19

Which neurotransmitter is most directly involved in muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Question 20

A person is exposed to chronic stress, which leads to changes in gene expression related to anxiety. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic modification

Biological Psychology I: Genetics, Nervous System Cells, and Neurotransmitters

Study Guide - Practice Questions