Question 1

Which brain imaging technique is best suited for studying the timing of brain activity changes on the millisecond scale, but is limited in its ability to localize activity to small brain regions?

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Question 2

A patient suffers a stroke that damages the left prefrontal cortex. Based on what is known from the case of Phineas Gage, which of the following behavioral changes is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Profound changes in personality and decision-making

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the function of the myelin sheath produced by oligodendrocytes?

Accepted Answer

It increases the speed of action potential conduction along the axon.

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter is most directly involved in triggering muscle movement and is also important for arousal and memory?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 5

A drug that blocks dopamine receptors in the brain would be classified as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

An antagonist

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why the action potential is described as an 'all-or-none' response?

Accepted Answer

The neuron fires at full strength or not at all once threshold is reached.

Question 7

Which brain structure is primarily responsible for relaying sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex?

Accepted Answer

Thalamus

Question 8

A person with damage to the hippocampus would most likely experience which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty forming new memories

Question 9

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is most active during 'rest and digestion'?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic division

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the concept of heritability?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of variation in a trait across individuals that is due to genetic differences

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct sequence for the flow of information in a typical neuron?

Accepted Answer

Dendrite → Cell body (soma) → Axon → Axon terminal

Question 12

Which hormone, released by the pituitary gland, is most closely associated with maternal and romantic bonding?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin

Question 13

A person is startled by a loud noise, causing their heart rate to increase and muscles to tense. Which system is primarily responsible for this response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Question 14

Which of the following best illustrates the principle of neural plasticity?

Accepted Answer

A stroke patient regains some lost language abilities through therapy

Question 15

Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with inhibitory effects in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

GABA

Question 16

Which brain region is most involved in the regulation of basic bodily functions such as breathing and heartbeat?

Accepted Answer

Medulla

Question 17

A researcher wants to study the effects of a new drug on both the structure and function of the brain. Which imaging technique would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of the corpus callosum?

Accepted Answer

It allows communication between the two cerebral hemispheres.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a monoamine neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Question 20

A person is unable to recognize faces but can still read and write. Which hemisphere of the brain is most likely damaged?

Accepted Answer

Right hemisphere

Biological Psychology: Structure and Function of the Nervous System

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