FREE Psychology Degree Biological Bases of Behavior Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Answer: Occipital lobe

The occipital lobe, located at the back of the brain, contains the primary visual cortex and is the main center for visual processing.

What role do mirror neurons play in human behavior?

Answer: They fire both when performing an action and when observing the same action in others

Mirror neurons activate during both the execution and observation of actions, and are thought to underlie empathy and imitation learning.

A split-brain patient has an image flashed to the left visual field only. Which outcome is most likely?

Answer: The patient cannot verbally name the object but can pick it out with the left hand

Information from the left visual field goes to the right hemisphere, which lacks language centers, so the patient cannot name it verbally but can identify it through touch with the left hand.

Which endocrine gland is often called the 'master gland' because it regulates other glands in the body?

Answer: Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland secretes hormones that control the function of many other endocrine glands, earning it the title of master gland.

Which neurotransmitter deficiency is most strongly associated with Parkinson's disease?

Answer: Dopamine

Parkinson's disease results from the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor control difficulties.

What is the function of the reticular formation in the brainstem?

Answer: Regulating arousal, attention, and sleep-wake cycles

The reticular formation is a network of neurons in the brainstem that plays a critical role in maintaining consciousness, arousal, and attention.