BAPSY Biological Bases of Behavior 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which neurotransmitter is most associated with reward, motivation, and reinforcement learning?
- Serotonin
- Dopamine (Correct answer)
- GABA
- Acetylcholine
Correct answer: Dopamine
Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter in the mesolimbic reward pathway, driving motivation and reinforcement.
Question 2: The blood-brain barrier is primarily composed of which type of cells?
- Astrocytes and endothelial cells (Correct answer)
- Microglia and neurons
- Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells
- Purkinje cells and granule cells
Correct answer: Astrocytes and endothelial cells
The blood-brain barrier is formed by tight junctions between endothelial cells, supported structurally by astrocytic end-feet.
Question 3: What is the primary function of myelin sheaths surrounding axons?
- Produce neurotransmitters at synapses
- Increase the speed of action potential conduction (Correct answer)
- Store calcium ions for synaptic release
- Regulate glucose uptake by neurons
Correct answer: Increase the speed of action potential conduction
Myelin acts as an insulator enabling saltatory conduction, which dramatically increases action potential speed.
Question 4: Which brain structure is considered the master regulator of the endocrine system?
- Amygdala
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus (Correct answer)
- Cingulate cortex
Correct answer: Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland via releasing hormones, making it the master regulator of the endocrine system.
Question 5: During an action potential, which ion rushes INTO the neuron during depolarization?
- Potassium (K+)
- Chloride (Cl-)
- Sodium (Na+) (Correct answer)
- Calcium (Ca2+)
Correct answer: Sodium (Na+)
Voltage-gated sodium channels open during depolarization, allowing Na+ to rush into the cell and raise the membrane potential.
Question 6: Broca's area, critical for speech production, is located in which lobe?
- Temporal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Frontal lobe (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Frontal lobe
Broca's area lies in the left inferior frontal gyrus and damage to it produces expressive (Broca's) aphasia.
Question 7: Which division of the autonomic nervous system is active during a 'fight-or-flight' response?
- Somatic division
- Parasympathetic division
- Sympathetic division (Correct answer)
- Enteric division
Correct answer: Sympathetic division
The sympathetic nervous system releases norepinephrine and epinephrine to prepare the body for emergency action.
BAPSY Biological Bases of Behavior 2
Which neurotransmitter is most associated with reward, motivation, and reinforcement learning?