Question 1

Which of the following statements BEST defines a chromosome?

Accepted Answer

Chromosome is a long, thread-like structure composed of twisted parallel strands of DNA and found in the cell nucleus. It carries genetic information and is passed from parents to offspring during reproduction.

Option A defines a gene rather than a chromosome.

Option B defines DNA, which is the building block of a chromosome.

Option D defines phenotype, which is the observable traits or characteristics displayed by an organism and is determined by its genotype (the genetic makeup).

Question 2

At the moment of conception each person begins life as a single cell, which is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

At the moment of conception, when the sperm fertilizes the egg, a single cell called a zygote is formed. This zygote begins to divide and develop into an embryo, which then develops further into a fetus. The placenta is a structure that forms around the embryo/fetus and provides nutrients and oxygen to support its growth and development, but it is not the term used for the single cell at the moment of conception.

Question 3

The _____ research design tracks a particular variable or group of variables in the same group of participants over time, sometimes for years.

Accepted Answer

The description given in the question is that of a longitudinal research design, where the same group of participants is tracked over time, which makes (D) the correct choice. Correlational designs do not involve tracking the same group over time, making (A) incorrect. Cross-sectional designs involve comparing different groups at one point in time and not tracking the same group over time, making (B) incorrect. Experimental designs involve manipulating variables and comparing groups, rather than tracking a variable or group of variables over time, making (C) incorrect.

Question 4

Professor Gibson is interested in studying age-related changes in adults' sex drive. She recruits three groups of participants: 25-year-olds, 45-year-olds, and 65-year-olds. Which research design is best suited for this type of study?

Accepted Answer

A cross-sectional design would be best as it allows for the comparison of different age groups at the same time, making it possible to determine if age is associated with changes in sex drive.

Question 5

Which of the following statements BEST describes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?

Accepted Answer

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a double-stranded molecule found in the nucleus of cells that carries genetic information and encodes genetic instructions for the development, function, and reproduction of all living organisms. It is not a harmful chemical preservative, a specific gene, or a chemical trigger that activates cell division.

Question 6

According to the major stages of the lifespan the early childhood stage includes children who are between _____ and _____ years of age.

Accepted Answer

The early childhood stage typically includes children who are between 2 and 6 years of age, focusing on rapid physical and cognitive development during these years.

Question 7

Developmental psychologists divide the lifespan into:

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychologists typically divide the lifespan into nine age-related stages of development, including the prenatal period, infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood, and the end of life. Each stage is characterized by different physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes and milestones.

Question 8

This drawing depicts some of the key structures involved in the biological basis of heredity. After studying the image, identify the letter that labels deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Accepted Answer

The answer of This drawing depicts some of the key...

Question 9

Kyle is studying how language abilities change throughout childhood, and Kelly is studying cognitive changes in late adulthood. Both Kyle and Kelly are conducting studies in which area of psychology?

Accepted Answer

Kyle is studying language abilities throughout childhood and Kelly is studying cognitive changes in late adulthood, both of which fall under the realm of developmental psychology, which looks at changes in behavior and mental processes throughout a person's lifespan.

Question 10

At conception, each biological parent contributes:

Accepted Answer

At conception, each biological parent contributes 23 chromosomes, making up a total of 46 chromosomes for the offspring.

Question 11

Which of the following statements BEST characterizes the typical course of human development?

Accepted Answer

While there are some distinct stages of development (such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood), overall, human development is characterized by gradual changes that occur over time. Development is affected by a combination of biological and environmental factors, and there is often overlap between different stages of development.

Question 12

A gene encodes the instructions for:

Accepted Answer

A gene encodes the instructions for a specific combination of amino acids that form a particular protein molecule. This is the central role of a gene in the process of protein synthesis.

Question 13

This drawing depicts some of the key structures involved in the biological basis of heredity. After studying the image, identify the letter that labels a chromosome.

Accepted Answer

The structure labeled "B" is a picture of a chromosome, which contains genetic information and is involved in the process of heredity.

Question 14

Which of the following BEST defines a gene?

Accepted Answer

A gene is a unit of DNA on a chromosome that encodes instructions for making a particular protein.

Question 15

Some aspects of development, such as prenatal development and language development, are closely tied to _____ periods, which are periods during which a child is maximally sensitive to environmental influences.

Accepted Answer

Critical periods are specific time frames during which certain environmental influences can have a lasting impact on the development of an organism. Prenatal development and language development are examples of processes that are maximally sensitive to environmental influences during critical periods.

Question 16

Genes make up _____ percent of human DNA.

Accepted Answer

Genes make up less than 2% of human DNA. The rest of the DNA includes regulatory sequences, introns, and other non-coding regions.

Question 17

This drawing depicts some of the key structures involved in the biological basis of heredity. After studying the image, identify the letter that labels a gene.

Accepted Answer

The answer of This drawing depicts some of the key...

Question 18

Perez's research examines cognitive changes that occur as people progress from young adulthood to late adulthood. Dr. Perez is a(n) _____ psychologist.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Perez's research focuses on how people change and develop over time, specifically in terms of cognitive changes, which falls under the area of developmental psychology.

Question 19

Which of the following statements BEST represents contemporary thinking on the nature/nurture issue?

Accepted Answer

Contemporary thinking on the nature/nurture issue suggests that the relationship between genetics and environment is interactive, with each influencing the other. It is no longer believed that either genetics or environment alone can predict outcomes, but rather both work together in complex ways.

Question 20

The study of how people change physically, mentally, and socially throughout the lifespan is called:

Accepted Answer

Developmental psychology is the study of how individuals change and develop physically, cognitively, and socially throughout their lives, from infancy to old age. It includes researching the stages of development, the impacts of different experiences such as parenting and education, and the factors that influence growth and change. Cognitive psychology, on the other hand, focuses only on mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving. Humanistic psychology is concerned with understanding and improving human well-being and personal growth, while epigenetics is the study of how genes are expressed or suppressed by environmental factors.

Quiz 9: Section 2: Lifespan Development