Biological Bases of Behavior Practice Test

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• Which famous case study involved sustained catastrophic damage to the frontal lobes?
• Which portion of the cerebral cortex lies at the top of the head and toward the rear and receives sensory input for touch and body position?
• Which division of the peripheral nervous system controls the body's skeletal muscles?
• What term describes the brain's ability to reorganize itself during the life span in response to injury or new learning?
• Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for automatic bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion?
• Where are neurotransmitters stored before release into the synapse?
• A wide band of neural fibers that connects the two hemispheres is known as what?
• Which structure is located atop the brainstem and connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, and is involved in motor movement and transmitting auditory and visual information?
• Which English natural scientist formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection?
• Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory in the brain and helps regulate anxiety?
• Twins who develop from separate eggs are known as what?
• What brain-imaging technique measures magnetic fields produced by the brain's natural electrical activity?
• Which brain region consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus and manages complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and motor activities?
• Which neurotransmitter influences movement, learning, and attention; overactivity linked to schizophrenia, undersupply linked to Parkinson's disease?
• Which structure in the limbic system is essential for forming memories?
• What is the cell body of a neuron called?
• Which Russian geneticist bred tame foxes through artificial selection to study behavior?
• Which brain region is primarily responsible for higher cognitive functions such as planning and reasoning, and matures late?
• What describes the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse?
• What cells in the nervous system provide support, nourishment, and protection for neurons?
• Which method assesses hereditary influence by examining resemblance between adopted children and both their biological and adoptive parents?
• Which term describes a disorder characterized by continued craving and use of a substance despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk?
• Which brain region is central to emotional responses, particularly fear?
• What is the small gap between neurons across which signals are transmitted chemically?
• What is the term for a random error in gene replication that results in a nucleotide sequence change?
• Substance P is a member of which neuropeptide family?
• Which brain region is known for memory formation and spatial navigation?
• What term describes a nerve cell, the basic unit of the nervous system?
• Which Russian scientist is known for domesticating foxes to study tameness?
• Which hindbrain structure coordinates voluntary muscular movements?
• Which research approach compares adopted children's traits with their biological and adoptive parents to assess hereditary influence?
• Substance P modulates pain signals in which part of the central nervous system?
• Which brain region located at the rear of the frontal lobes directs voluntary movement on the opposite side of the body?
• Which brain-imaging method records the brain's magnetic fields to study neural timing and processing?
• Loss of the ability to speak or understand language is called?
• Which term describes bundles of axons outside the CNS that carry messages to and from the spinal cord?
• Where do two or more neurons interact but do not touch?
• Substance P release is triggered by what types of stimuli?
• Which neurotransmitter affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal; undersupply linked to depression?
• What is the process of clearing a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft by reabsorbing it into the terminal buttons?
• What are the chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons?
• Which brain region comprises the medulla and pons and is crucial for breathing and wakefulness?
• Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory chemical in the brain involved in synaptic plasticity and memory formation?
• What is the nerve pathway involved in a reflex action including a sensory nerve and a motor nerve with a synapse between?
• Which evolutionary process describes differential survival and reproduction based on inherited traits?
• Which hindbrain structure is primarily involved in balance and coordination of movement?
• A major neurotransmitter that controls alertness and arousal; undersupply can depress mood.
• Which area is associated with language comprehension?
• Which figure is associated with discovering the brain area responsible for coordinating muscle movements in speech?
• What are small pockets or sacs located in terminal buttons that contain a neurotransmitter?
• A band of nerve fibers running through the center of the brainstem and important in regulating arousal levels is called what?
• Relaying incoming sensory information to the cerebral cortex, this subcortical structure is also known as the sensory switchboard. Which structure is it?
• Which area, usually in the left frontal lobe, directs the muscle movements involved in speech?
• A group of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex involved in regulating emotions and motivated behaviors is called what?
• Which neurotransmitter is essential for muscle action, learning, and memory, and is linked to Alzheimer's when undersupplied?
• Blocking the NK1 receptor would primarily block the actions of which molecule?
• Cannabis and LSD are examples of which drug class?
• Which statement is true about Substance P?
• A chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles
• Which hormone produced by the adrenal glands is involved in the fight-or-flight response?
• What term defines the basic cell of the nervous system?
• Which brain region is particularly associated with arousal and wakefulness and is located in the brainstem?
• Which wrinkled outer layer accounts for about 80% of brain weight and handles complex processing such as memory and learning?
• Wernicke's area is typically located in which hemisphere and lobe?
• Which limbic structure regulates eating, drinking, body temperature, and influences the endocrine system via the pituitary gland?
• Which brain region is central to planning, decision-making, and voluntary movement?
• The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug?
• What term describes the all-or-none nature of neuronal firing?
• The body's 'slow' chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
• The base of the brainstem controls heartbeat and breathing. Which structure is this?
• Which term refers to the fact that the left and right hemispheres have some functions that exist only in those hemispheres?
• Who is the U of M researcher who studied identical twins separated at birth?
• Which portion of the cerebral cortex lies just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments?
• A neurotransmitter that influences movement and reward, with excess activity linked to certain psychotic symptoms.
• Which process describes the brain's ability to form new connections between neurons in response to experience or injury?
• What is the formation of new neurons called?
• In chronic pain conditions, Substance P often plays what role?
• Which gland is known as the master gland and influences other glands?
• The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect?
• What is the process called when a neuron firing causes the inside to briefly become positive?
• Which term describes a pattern of continued substance craving and use despite harm, often requiring professional treatment?
• Which term refers to natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure?
• Which term describes the genetic material that makes up chromosomes and can encode a protein?
• Which measure describes the frequency with which both members of twin pairs share a trait?
• Which term describes the body system that uses glands to release hormones into the bloodstream?
• Consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and wakefulness, as well as coordination and balance.
• Which term encompasses the body's fast electrochemical communication network including all nerve cells of the CNS and PNS?
• What is the brief electrical charge that travels down the axon called?
• What term describes a molecule that blocks or inhibits the operation of a neurotransmitter?
• A condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers between them.
• If a person needs more of a drug to achieve the same effect, this is called what?
• In which field is the evolution of behavior and mind analyzed primarily through natural selection?
• Endorphins are best described as:
• Which imaging technique shows brain activity by detecting a radioactive form of glucose as tasks are performed?
• Which term describes the division of the nervous system that includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions?
• What is the name of the early, misguided attempt at studying brain functions that claimed bumps on the skull reveal personality traits?
• Which researchers studied split-brain patients?
• Which receptor primarily mediates the actions of Substance P?
• Which structure transmits information to other neurons and to muscles and glands?
• Which subdivision of the autonomic nervous system calms the body?
• Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood, alertness, and arousal and is targeted by many antidepressants?
• Which term describes twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits, resulting in two individuals who share the exact same DNA?
• What term describes the neural pathway in a reflex action that includes a sensory nerve and a motor nerve with a synapse in between?
• Which field studies how the environment can alter gene expression or function, illustrating nature-nurture interaction?
• The visual cortex is located in which brain region?
• The limbic system is a group of structures involved in regulating emotions and motivated behaviors. Which of the following is commonly described as part of this system?
• A major excitatory neurotransmitter; oversupply can overstimulate brain, producing migraines or seizures.
• Substance P is best described as which of the following?
• Which device monitors and records waves of electrical activity in the brain using scalp electrodes?
• What is the fatty protein layer that covers some axons and increases the speed of transmission?
• Which class excites neural activity and speeds up body functions; examples include nicotine, cocaine, and caffeine?
• Bundles of axons that form neural cables connecting the CNS to the rest of the body.
• The percentage of cases where both twins share the same trait or disorder is known as what?
• What is the term for brain damage that can be naturally occurring or experimentally induced?
• Which class of drugs reduces neural activity and slows body functions, including alcohol and barbiturates?
• What is the electrical charge of a neuron when it is not firing?
• Period after firing, during which the neuron is unable to fire because it is repolarizing?
• Which portion of the cerebral cortex at the back of the head contains the visual cortex?
• Higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking are primarily associated with which brain regions?
• Which neuron structure primarily receives signals from other neurons?
• Which hormone is associated with the fight-or-flight response and is produced by the adrenal glands?
• Which division of the nervous system coordinates the activity of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions?
• Stopping use of a drug often leads to a set of adverse symptoms known as what?
• Which brain area is involved in language comprehension and is usually in the left temporal lobe?
• Who is credited with discovering the area of the left frontal lobe that coordinates muscle movements for speech?
• What are the biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes and synthesize a protein?
• Which subdivision of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for flight or fight?
• Automatic behavior in response to a specific stimulus that does not involve communication with the brain is called what?
• Which structure is primarily responsible for linking the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland?
• A major inhibitory neurotransmitter; undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.
• What is the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior?
• Which neurons transmit information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles?
• Areas of the cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.
• Substance P is best described as which of the following?
• Which term describes a molecule that enhances the operation of a neurotransmitter?
• Which early comparative brain anatomist developed phrenology?
• What field studies the links between biology and behavior?
• Which imaging technique uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed brain images?
• Which division of the nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord?
• Which describes that the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere controls the left?
• Which brain region is associated with interpreting meaning of language?
• Which imaging method reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive scans and can show both structure and function?
• Which feature insulates some axons to speed up transmission?
• Which neurons carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles?
• Which brain region located at the front of the parietal lobes registers and processes body touch and movement sensations?
• Which lobe is primarily responsible for processing sensory information related to touch and body position?
• Which imaging method is used to study functional brain activity by measuring glucose metabolism during tasks?
• Which almond-shaped structures in the limbic system are involved in fear and aggression?
• Which cells in the nervous system support, nourish, and protect neurons?
• Which subcortical structure relays sensory information to the cortex and is often described as the sensory switchboard?
• Which pair of endocrine glands sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress?
• Auditory processing areas are located in which brain lobes?
• Chemicals produced by the glands of the endocrine system that are carried by the bloodstream to other body tissues.
• Which field studies the evolution of behavior and the mind using natural selection?
• Which subdivision of the autonomic nervous system mobilizes the body in times of stress and prepares for flight or fight?
• What term refers to all the genetic information in an organism?
• Which class includes cannabis/THC and LSD and distorts perceptions?
• In pain pathways, Substance P is often co-released with which excitatory neurotransmitter?
• Which portion of the cerebral cortex located on the sides of the brain lying roughly above the ears includes auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear?
• The front-most portion of the frontal lobes; involved in planning and reasoning; one of the last areas of the brain to mature.
• The level of stimulation necessary to start an action potential is known as the
• Which imaging method produces a large number of X-rays interpreted by a computer to create a detailed image of brain structure?
• Which glands release hormones that prepare the body for stress, located just above the kidneys?
• Which structure is the oldest part and central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions and composed of the medulla, pons, and reticular formation?
• Which type of neuron conveys sensory information from the receptors toward the central nervous system?
• Which neurons carry information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain?
• Which progressive neurological disease involves degeneration of the myelin surrounding nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord?
• Which term describes chemicals released by glands that travel through the bloodstream to affect distant tissues?
• Which chronic autoimmune disease affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles?
• Which term denotes the brief wave of electrical activity that propagates along a neuron?
• Substance P is released from which type of neuron?
• Central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between sensory inputs and motor outputs.
• Which class relaxes and blocks pain; examples include heroin and synthetic narcotics?
• Drugs that block Substance P signaling would most likely have what effect on pain?
• Substance P is found in which type of primary afferent nerve fibers?
• Substance P is best known for its role in what physiological process?
• In the spinal cord, Substance P is released to modulate what?
• Which term describes brain areas not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, but in higher mental processes such as learning and thinking?