Psychology Degree Biological Bases of Behavior Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents with difficulty in producing fluent, articulate speech, though their ability to comprehend language remains intact. This condition, known as Broca's aphasia, is most likely caused by damage to which lobe of the cerebral cortex?
- Temporal Lobe
- Parietal Lobe
- Frontal Lobe (Correct answer)
- Occipital Lobe
Correct answer: Frontal Lobe
Broca's area, a crucial region for speech production, is located in the left frontal lobe. Damage to this area leads to expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia), where an individual understands language but struggles to form and articulate words.
Question 2: The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, rigidity, and difficulty initiating movement, are primarily caused by the death of neurons that produce which neurotransmitter?
- Serotonin
- Dopamine (Correct answer)
- Acetylcholine
- GABA
Correct answer: Dopamine
Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a midbrain area called the substantia nigra. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter for coordinating smooth, controlled movements, and its deficiency leads to the classic motor symptoms of the disease.
Question 3: After narrowly avoiding a car accident, your heart is pounding, your breathing is rapid, and your palms are sweaty. As you calm down, your body returns to a state of equilibrium. Which division of the nervous system is responsible for this calming 'rest and digest' response?
- Somatic Nervous System
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Central Nervous System
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Parasympathetic Nervous System
The parasympathetic nervous system, a division of the autonomic nervous system, is responsible for conserving energy and calming the body after a period of stress or arousal. It actively works to slow the heart rate, stimulate digestion, and return the body to a state of homeostasis, opposing the 'fight-or-flight' response of the sympathetic nervous system.
Question 4: A researcher is interested in pinpointing the exact brain location that is most active when a person is viewing images of faces. Which neuroimaging technique would provide the best spatial resolution for this task?
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) (Correct answer)
- Lesion Study
Correct answer: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) offers superior spatial resolution, allowing researchers to identify specific brain structures involved in a task with high precision. It measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow, which is coupled with neuronal activation. While EEG has better temporal (timing) resolution, its spatial resolution is poor.
Question 5: Which of the following scenarios is the best example of the endocrine system directly influencing behavior?
- A reflex action of pulling a hand away from a hot stove.
- The release of adrenaline causing a 'fight-or-flight' response during a perceived threat. (Correct answer)
- The brain sending a signal to the leg muscles to kick a ball.
- A neuron firing an action potential across a synapse to another neuron.
Correct answer: The release of adrenaline causing a 'fight-or-flight' response during a perceived threat.
The endocrine system communicates using hormones released into the bloodstream. During a stressful situation, the adrenal glands release adrenaline (epinephrine), a hormone that prepares the body for a 'fight-or-flight' response by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supplies. This is a direct hormonal influence on physiological arousal and behavior.
Question 6: The thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate, is known as the:
- Cerebellum
- Thalamus
- Hippocampus
- Corpus Callosum (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Corpus Callosum
The corpus callosum is a large bundle of neural fibers (white matter) that connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum. Its primary function is to integrate motor, sensory, and cognitive performances between the two sides of the brain, allowing them to work together seamlessly.
Psychology Degree Biological Bases of Behavior Questions and Answers
A patient presents with difficulty in producing fluent, articulate speech, though their ability to comprehend language remains intact.
This condition, known as Broca's aphasia, is most likely caused by damage to which lobe of the cerebral cortex?