Psychology Ch 4

Areas of cortex that do not have specific sensory or motor functions are known as a. association cortex. b. prefrontal cortex. c. orbitofrontal cortex. d. communication cortex.

a. association cortex.

You are looking at a microscopic slide of white matter. This sample of brain tissue is most likely taken from the a. cerebral cortex. b. corpus callosum. c. thalamus. d. hindbrain.

a. cerebral cortex.

One of the primary functions of cerebrospinal fluid is to a. cushion the brain. b. increase nerve conduction velocity. c. allow communication between the brain and the spinal cord. d. allow communication between the central and the peripheral nervous system.

a. cushion the brain.

A patient with brain damage seems unable to pay attention for more than a few seconds at a time, and can't keep a schedule. They have likely suffered damage to the a. frontal lobe. b. parietal lobe. c. occipital lobe. d. temporal lobe.

a. frontal lobe.

Which of the following best describes what happens at the synapse? a. An electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal. b. Sodium channels open and close. c. Potassium channels open and close. d. A dendrite transmits information to an axon.

a. An electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal.

Which parts of neurons are unique from other cells in the body? a. Axons and dendrites b. Axons and glia c. Glia and cell bodies d. Intracellular and extracellular fluid

a. Axons and dendrites

What is the relationship between axons and dendrites? a. Axons send information; dendrites receive information. b. Axons receive information; dendrites send information. c. Axons send and receive information; dendrites are responsible for "housekeeping" functions. d. Axons are responsible for "housekeeping" functions; dendrites send and receive information.

a. Axons send information; dendrites receive information.

Which of the following methods in biological psychology involves measuring the brain's electrical activity through electrodes placed on the scalp? a. Electroencephalogram (EEG) b. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) c. Skin conductance response d. Histology

a. Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A drug that aims to treat addiction is likely to target which part of the brain? a. Nucleus accumbens b. Amygdala c. Hippocampus d. Parietal lobe

a. Nucleus accumbens

Phrenologists measured bumps on the skull to predict personality and abilities. This practice had no scientific basis, but what correct principle of modern biological psychology was it based on? a. Some behaviors are localized to certain areas of the brain. b. Brain shape is altered by behavior. c. Skull shape is correlated with behavior. d. Personality is the behavior most directly linked to brain activity.

a. Some behaviors are localized to certain areas of the brain.

An alien species is discovered whose head is the same size as humans, but the aliens are much more intelligent. What is likely true of their brain structure? a. The alien species has greater cortical convolution. b. The alien species has more white matter. c. The alien species has a larger corpus callosum. d. The alien species has a larger hindbrain.

a. The alien species has greater cortical convolution.

Biological psychology and neuroscience embrace the philosophical approach known as monism. What is the best description of this view? a. The mind is what the brain does. b. The brain and mind are distinct from one another. c. The brain can be subdivided into distinct parts responsible for specific behaviors. d. The study of behavior can be reduced to the study of individual brain cells.

a. The mind is what the brain does.

In what way is the pituitary gland unique from the other major glands (adrenal, thyroid, pineal) of the endocrine system? a. The pituitary gland releases hormones that activate the other glands. b. The pituitary gland is the only gland that controls sleep/wake cycles. c. The pituitary gland is the only gland that controls metabolic functions. d. The pituitary gland is only activated by stress.

a. The pituitary gland releases hormones that activate the other glands.

A doctor is treating a patient with brain damage who can comprehend speech, but cannot speak. This patient has likely damaged which part of the brain? a. Amygdala b. Broca's area c. Temporal lobe d. Occipital lobe

b. Broca's area

The "support cells" of the nervous system are a. neurotransmitters. b. glia. c. synaptic vesicles. d. ions.

b. glia.

The thalamus is sometimes called the "gateway to the cortex" because its primary function is to a. protect cortical structures from damage. b. pass sensory input to the cortex. c. pass processing information from the cortex to sensory processing centers in the midbrain. d. connect the cerebellum to higher cortical structures.

b. pass sensory input to the cortex.

When a neuron generates an electrical signal, it is called a(n) a. resting potential. b. repolarization. c. action potential. d. axon terminal.

c. action potential.

The branch-like structures on neurons that transmit information are known as a. dendrites. b. cell bodies. c. axons. d. synaptic vesicles.

c. axons.

When your doctor tests a spinal reflex (like the knee-jerk response), a. only motor neurons are involved in the reflex. b. only sensory neurons are involved in the reflex. c. the reflex is handled by the spinal cord, and no higher processing is necessary. d. the reflex can be learned and unlearned.

c. the reflex is handled by the spinal cord, and no higher processing is necessary.

Most addictive drugs affect which neurotransmitter? a. Acetylcholine b. Epinephrine c. Norepinephrine d. Dopamine

d. Dopamine