PSYC 370- Midterm 2

Arya is a 13-year-old teenager, and she has started to menstruate. Additionally, she noticed changes in her body, like her breasts have subtly grown over time and she's gained some weight in her hip and thigh areas. She also has been very moody lately. Physiologically, what is happening to Arya?

Arya is enduring puberty. This is considered an activating hormonal effect that can occur at any time. Activating effects are reversible changes, meaning that they come and go depending on hormone levels.

How does circuit pruning help improve brain function?

During development, more neurons are created than are necessary for building the nervous system. During circuit pruning, defective or extra neurons are purged from the system. After that, test signals are sent through the system to test the connections to streamline that process.

Explain the hypothetical biological and environmental/social influences surrounding homosexuality.

Evidence has shown both biological and environmental/social influences. It's been hypothesized that certain events in childhood could influence homosexuality later in life, like spending more time with the opposite sex growing up or homosexual contact by the age of 18. However, evidence for social influences isn't as strong as with twin and family studies. Studies in the 1990s showed as high as a 50% heritability for homosexuality. There is strong evidence for a strain of DNA on the X chromosome that is contributed by the mother.

What are some cognitive differences between human males and females, and why do these differences exist?

Females have greater verbal abilities than males. Males do better at visual-spatial abilities and mathematics. However, males tend to exhibit more aggression. Research has shown brain differences as well as child-rearing practices as influences to these differences.

How do the wrinkles of the brain help improve cognitive functioning?

First, the brain's ridges allow for increased storage capacity. The convolution allows for three times the surface area. Also, the convolution allows for neurons to be closer to each other making synaptical connection easier.

What is a concern of some within the gay community about a biological model of homosexuality? a. It explains how only environment influences homosexuality. b. It blames a domineering mother for encouraging homosexual tendencies. c. It is too closely associated with a medical "disease." d. The biological model refutes that homosexuality exists.

It is too closely associated with a medical "disease."

Explain how the brain is sexualized and what differences have been observed.

Males' brains are masculinized because of estradiol. However, they must also be defeminized by estrogens. Females' brains are also feminized by estradiol. Estrogen helps to feminize the brain. Sexualization of the brain reflects differences in sexes with regard to behaviors, spatial activity, and learning performance.

Why do reflex responses originate in the spinal cord instead of the brain?

Reflexes require quick action. By only having to travel to the spinal cord instead of to the brain and back, precious time is saved.

What has research shown of how transgender brains compare to non-transgender brains?

Research has shown that the brains of those who are transgender have taken a developmental path similar to that of the opposite sex than their assigned sex at birth. In other words, brain structures are similar to the sex they align with rather than that they were born with. For instance, increased cortical thickness was reported in male-to-female (MtF) individuals. Also, the strength of the structural connectivity in the white matter falls between cis-males and cis-females rather than prominent in one way or the other. Therefore, evidence has shown that incomplete masculinization or feminization has occurred in the transgender brain.

Robert was born a male, but he never really felt like a boy, even during childhood. He went along with what society influenced him to do; however, he was uncomfortable in his own skin. He eventually started to privately dress in what were considered women's clothes and accessories for a number of years. Finally, with the support of his best friend, Robert decided to live his life as a woman, as he truly felt that is who he is. What biological and sociological factors have led to Robert feeling this way?

Robert has not been comfortable with his assigned sex at birth. He has adopted the traits he can most identify with, that is, being female, in terms of gender. Robert is considered transgender in society because his gender identity varies from the sexual identity he was assigned at birth.

Explain the influence of scientific research and its accompanying hypotheses on homosexuality in social contexts.

Some gay individuals prefer it not be explained as a biological issue due to homosexuality then being classified as a disease or genetic abnormality. Others welcome this explanation, as around 75% of homosexual individuals believe that homosexuality is inborn. Social acceptance of homosexuality has significantly increased in the past 20 years as well.

Alice suffers an accident which renders her blind. In the neural reorganization that happens postaccident, how might you expect the brain to react?

The areas of the brain previously used for sight would be repurposed by the other senses to improve their functioning. Additionally, any ways Alice personally compensates--learning Braille for instance--will have corresponding effects on the size of the brain structures used to perform those actions.

After a time of stress, the sympathetic nervous system helps the body to return back to normal.

The development of the nervous system begins with the neural groove, which folds upwards to form the neural tube. Failure of this step to occur properly can lead to neural defects and spina bifida. The neural crest migrates away to form the peripheral nervous system, auditory nervous system, and the nervous system of the ear. Failure of this step to occur properly may results in malformations of these systems. The top of the neural tube develops three swellings, which become the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. Failure of this step to occur properly might prevent the proper development of the brain, which can lead to death of the embryo or neurological disorders after birth. The bottom part of the neural tube develops into the spinal cord. Failure of the step to occur properly may lead to death of the embryo or disorders of the spinal cord such as spina bifida or paralysis

How might damage to the hypothalamus effect the nervous and endocrine systems of the body?

The hypothalamus controls hunger, thirst, motivation, and emotion. Additionally, it controls the flow of hormones in the body through its interactions with the pituitary gland. Damage to this area leads to disordered eating or emotional issues such as depression or mania.

What protection does the meninges provide against brain injury?

The meninges has a tough outer layer, the dura, that protects the brain. Underneath the dura there is a layer of cerebrospinal fluid that chemically protects the brain and provides a liquid cushion to protect against impact.

How do the CNS and PNS interact to give us vision?

The optic nerves, part to the cranial nerve system of the PNS, carry information from the sensory organs to the proper area in the brain. There, the CNS processes the information in the occipital lobe to interpret what the eyes are seeing.

How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system help you on the day of a big test?

The sympathetic nervous system will help your body prepare pretest. Increased blood flow and excitement levels before the big test will help prepare your brain for the task at hand. Your nervous sweating will help to cool your body. Once the test is over, your parasympathetic nervous system will help calm you and restore your energy.

When Joshua went for a check-up, the doctor hit just below the kneecap to test his knee-jerk reflex. Explain, in your own words, how this reflex response occurs at the level of the neurons within the reflex circuit of the spinal cord.

When the doctor hits Joshua's knee, information about the stimulus travels via the sensory neurons in the leg, into the spinal nerve, and through the dorsal root of the spinal cord. The sensory neuron synapses with other neurons, such as an interneuron, which then synapses with a motor neuron. The motor neuron travels out of the spinal cord, via the ventral root, to the muscles of the leg. The muscles in the leg then contracts, creating the knee-jerk reflex response

Match the corresponding outcome to the belief or background that fosters it. a. significantly more positive views of homosexuals overall b. acceptance of homosexuality c. belief that homosexuality is not a choice d. increasing support for same-sex marriage 1. belief they are "born that way" 2. homosexual identity 3. post-high school education 4. residence in the United States

a. 1. belief they are "born that way" b. 3. post-high school education c. 3. post-high school education d. 4. residence in the United States

Identify the basic social differences between men and women by their most recent research findings. a. increased fluency and memory b. better performance on mental rotation tasks c. superior object location memory d. verbal and physical forms considered together eliminate this social difference 1. female spatial performance 2. female verbal performance 3. male aggression 4. male spatial performance

a. 2. female verbal performance b. 4. male spatial performance c. 1. female spatial performance d. 3. male aggression

Rank these sexual orientations from greatest to least population frequency. a. 1st b. 2nd c. 3rd 1. asexuals 2. heterosexuals 3. homosexuals

a. 2. heterosexuals b. 3. homosexuals c. 1. asexuals

Match each difference between the sexes with the correct characteristic. a. girls tend to have greater ability than boys b. boys tend to outperform girls on all but a few types c. boys tend to have greater ability than girls d. boys and girls are equal when all types are considered 1. visual-spatial ability 2. verbal ability 3. aggression 4. mathematical ability

a. 2. verbal ability b. 1. visual-spatial ability c. 4. mathematical ability d. 3. aggression

Match the definition with the correct term. a. biological characteristics that determine male versus female b. behavioral characteristics associated with male versus female c. set of behaviors society considers appropriate for an individual's given sex d. the individual's subjective perception of their maleness, femaleness, or otherwise 1. gender role 2. gender 3. sex 4. gender identity

a. 3. sex b. 2. gender c. 1. gender role d. 4. gender identity

Match the brain differences in homosexual individuals to their correct brain region. a. larger in lesbians than straight females b. equally sized in gay males c. thicker in gay males than straight males d. female-sized in gay males 1. cerebral hemispheres 2. corpus callosum 3. suprachiasmatic nucleus 4. right hemisphere

a. 4. right hemisphere b. 1. cerebral hemispheres c. 2. corpus callosum d. 3. suprachiasmatic nucleus

______ refers to the significant and persistent distress that some people feel because their sex does not match their gender. a. Gender dysphoria b. Androgen insensitivity syndrome c. 46, XY intersex d. 46, XX intersex

a. Gender dysphoria

______ start prenatally, exist for the duration of one's life, and affect structure. a. Organizing effects b. Coolidge effects c. Gender roles d. Activating effects

a. Organizing effects

Which structure in the early development of the nervous system eventually forms the peripheral nervous system? a. The neural crest b. The top of the neural tube c. The neural groove d. The bottom of the neural tube

a. The neural crest

Blood and cerebrospinal fluid are separated by the ______ layer of the meninges. a. arachnoid b. dura c. pia

a. arachnoid

After suffering a TBI, John's brain scans show evidence that the functioning of his motor skills is being controlled by new areas of brain tissue. This is an example of ______. a. compensation b. hydrocephalus c. regeneration d. neurogenesis

a. compensation

The three swellings of the upper part of the neural tube later become which of the following three structures? a. The central, peripheral, and endocrine systems b. The forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain c. The peripheral nervous system, auditory system, and nervous system of the heart d. The heart, liver, and stomach

b. The forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain

Lorraine is 6 weeks pregnant, and she found out she's having a healthy baby boy. Her baby's chromosomes are ______. a. XX b. XY c. YX d. XXX

b. XY

Susie has just hit puberty. She is going to experience ______. a. aromatization b. activating effects c. lordosis d. organizing effects

b. activating effects

The blood-brain barrier protects the brain as part of the ______ layer of the meninges. a. dura b. arachnoid c. pia

b. arachnoid

As you begin to eat your favorite meal, your ______ nervous system activates your stomach to begin digestion. a. parasympathetic b. autonomic c. sympathetic d. somatic

b. autonomic

After surgery to remove a tumor, Steve is unable to distinguish the direction from which a sound is coming. What part of Steve's midbrain has been affected? a. substantia nigra b. inferior colliculi c. ventral tegmental area d. superior colliculi

b. inferior colliculi

The majority of damage during a stroke incident is caused by ______. a. increased pressure in the brain due to fluid buildup b. overstimulation of nerves caused by glutamate release c. the lack of oxygen caused by the blockage d. artery rupture around the site of the blockage

b. overstimulation of nerves caused by glutamate release

In a lobotomy, the ______ structures of the brain are disconnected from the rest of the brain structure. a. dorsal b. prefrontal c. speech producing d. motor cortex

b. prefrontal

Researchers have begun to find success using focused ______ to treat brain blockages. a. magnetic pulses b. ultrasound waves c. X-rays d. heat refraction

b. ultrasound waves

Other than the information flowing through the reflex circuit, which part of the cortex also receives information from the PNS via the dorsal root? a. The hippocampus b. The pineal gland c. The motor cortex d. The somatosensory cortex

c. The motor cortex

The brain and the spinal cord make up the body's ______. a. autonomic nervous system b. somatic nervous system c. central nervous system d. peripheral nervous system

c. central nervous system

The presence of growth cones on the axons of a neuron suggests that the neuron is in the ______ stage of development. a. proliferation b. circuit pruning c. circuit formation d. migration

c. circuit formation

Through the process of ______, axons and dendrites grow toward one another. a. proliferation b. migration c. circuit formation d. circuit pruning

c. circuit formation

The strongest indicator for a biological basis to sexual orientation is ______. a. early memories of feeling "different" from others b. a known variance in a single gene that predicts homosexuality c. empirical twin and family studies d. masculine behavior in lesbians and feminine behavior in gay men

c. empirical twin and family studies

In the central nervous system, groups of axons bundled together are called ______. a. ganglion b. nucleus c. tracts d. nerves

c. tracts

A stoke has left a patient unable to speak. If stem cell treatment were an option, into which of the following brain areas would a doctor inject the cells? a. prefrontal cortex b. precentral gyrus c. central sulcus d. Broca's area

d. Broca's area

Signals coming from the peripheral nervous system travel via which pathway to the spinal cord? a. The lateral root b. The medial root c. The ventral root d. The dorsal root

d. The dorsal root

In a reflex circuit, what type of neuron takes information from the body to the spinal cord? a. The motor neuron b. The glial neuron c. The sensory neuron d. The interneuron

d. The interneuron

What is the first structure formed as the nervous system begins to develop from the embryo? a. The heart b. The spinal cord c. The neural crest d. The neural groove

d. The neural groove

______ individuals are those whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. a. 46, XX intersex b. 46, XY intersex c. Homosexual d. Transgender

d. Transgender

Which difference in cognitive performance is supported by scientific evidence? a. Girls excel in visual-spatial ability. b. Boys' mathematic abilities are poor compared to girls. c. Girls are more aggressive than boys. d. Verbal ability is greater in girls than boys.

d. Verbal ability is greater in girls than boys.

During which phase of neural development would growth cones be found on axons? a. proliferation b. circuit pruning c. migration d. circuit formation

d. circuit formation

As part of ______, neurons fire test pulses to test the network being created. a. migration b. circuit formation c. proliferation d. circuit pruning

d. circuit pruning

What is one reason that results of female homosexuality research are often inconclusive? a. lack of structural brain differences between heterosexual and homosexual women b. inability to find lesbians to volunteer c. research focus on homosexual men d. failure to separate nonheterosexual women into two groups

d. failure to separate nonheterosexual women into two groups

What are some of the brain differences in homosexual individuals? a. small parietal lobes in lesbian females and large temporal lobes in gay males b. underdeveloped occipital lobes in lesbian females and large frontal lobes in gay males c. large amygdalae in lesbian females and underdeveloped hippocampi in gay males d. large right hemispheres in lesbian females and equal-sized cerebral hemispheres in gay males

d. large right hemispheres in lesbian females and equal-sized cerebral hemispheres in gay males

During ______, neurons are transferred from the ventricular zone to their proper location within the nervous system. a. circuit pruning b. circuit formation c. proliferation d. migration

d. migration

A lack of ______ gives the gray matter of the brain its color. a. sulcus b. convolution c. gyrus d. myelin

d. myelin

After fleeing from an attack to safety, Mandy's heartrate and breathing finally begins to slow. This is a product of her ______. a. autonomic b. somatic c. sympathetic d. parasympathetic

d. parasympathetic

A combination of cranial nerves and spinal nerves make up the ______. a. reticular formation b. primary somatosensory cortex c. longitudinal fissure d. peripheral nervous system

d. peripheral nervous system

Body movements are a product of activity in the ______ nervous system. a. parasympathetic b. sympathetic c. autonomic d. somatic

d. somatic

In times of great stress, your ______ nervous system speeds up or activates essential body functions. a. autonomic b. somatic c. parasympathetic d. sympathetic

d. sympathetic

A researcher finds himself dealing with mislabeled samples of brain tissue--one is an adult brain and the other the brain of a preadolescent. He quickly deduces that Sample A is the adult brain because ______. a. the myelin in the samples has almost disappeared b. the neurons are larger in Sample A c. the sample has a higher neuron count d. the neurons in the sample have more synapses

d. the neurons in the sample have more synapses

"Neutral-at-birth" theorists believe that chromosomes or hormones have a greater effect on gender role behavior than rearing. true false

false

After a time of stress, the sympathetic nervous system helps the body to return back to normal. true false

false

Due to differences in the developmental process, the white matter of the male brain is denser than the white matter of the female brain. true false

false

During circuit pruning, any axons of a neuron that have not connected with dendrites wither and die. true false

false

Men and women's brains have shown no consistent structural differences. true false

false

The largest concentration of behavior-controlling nuclei in the body is in the thalamus. true false

false

Twenty-five percent of homosexual individuals believe they had no choice and that they were born this way. true false

false

When you recognize the face of an old friend at a party, your left hemisphere is responsible. true false

false

Put the following reproductive organs in order of how they form in females. gonads develop into ovaries Mullerian ducts develop external genitals develop Wolffian ducts are absorbed

gonads develop into ovaries->Mullerian ducts develop->Wolffian ducts are absorbed->external genitals develop

A cluster of cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system is called a ganglion. true false

true

A stroke in the parietal lobe might affect an individual's ability to sense how hot an object is. true false

true

Eyesight and smell are the product of a partnership between the brain and the cranial nerves. true false

true

Genetic influences for homosexuality mostly lie on the mother's side rather than the father's side. true false

true

If sex hormones play a role in sexual orientation, they probably start altering the brain during gestation. true false

true

Individuals who do not feel their sex matches their gender are referred to as transgender. true false

true

Men and women's abilities are a result of both biological and environmental influences. true false

true

Microtubules are the "moving men" of the nervous system. true false

true

The complexity of our sense of smell requires specialized cranial nerves to convey signals. true false

true

The higher up a structure is in the central nervous system, the more complex it is. true false

true

The meninges is comprised of layers of membranes that protect the brain. true false

true

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together to balance body activity. true false

true