Question 1

The capacity of a brain area to develop new neural pathways as it adjusts to damage is known as
A) phrenology.
B) dendrites.
C) an action potential.
D) plasticity.

Accepted Answer

The capacity of a brain area to develop new neural pathways as it adjusts to damage is known as plasticity. Phrenology, dendrites, and action potential are not related to this concept.

Question 2

Dr.Wolski conducts research on the relationship between neurotransmitter deficiencies and mood states.Dr.Wolski's research focus is most characteristic of
A) phrenology.
B) biological psychology.
C) psychoanalysis.
D) social psychology.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Wolski's focus on the relationship between neurotransmitter deficiencies and mood states falls under the domain of biological psychology, which examines the relationship between biological processes and behavior. Phrenology focuses on the bumps and contours of the skull as an indication of personality traits, psychoanalysis emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts in shaping behavior, and social psychology investigates the influence of social context on behavior.

Question 3

While listening to operatic solos,musicians process the lyrics and the tunes in separate brain areas.This most clearly illustrates the functioning of different
A) neurotransmitters.
B) parathyroids.
C) neural networks.
D) reflex systems.

Accepted Answer

The processing of lyrics and tunes in separate brain areas suggests the functioning of distinct neural networks, which specialize in different aspects of musical processing. This division of labor in the brain enables musicians to appreciate the different components of a musical performance separately, and to integrate them into a cohesive whole.

Question 4

Many years of intensive guitar practice have led to changes in Karyasa's motor cortex that enable her skilled finger movements.This best illustrates the value of
A) reuptake.
B) echolocation.
C) plasticity.
D) localization of function.

Accepted Answer

The changes in Karyasa's motor cortex due to intensive guitar practice reflect the brain's ability to adapt and change, which is known as plasticity.

Question 5

Although phrenology incorrectly suggested that bumps on the skull revealed a person's character traits,phrenology did succeed in focusing attention on
A) synaptic gaps.
B) action potentials.
C) the localization of function.
D) endorphins.

Accepted Answer

Phrenology focused attention on the localization of function, or the idea that different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. While the practice itself has been discredited, this concept remains central to modern neuroscience. The other answer choices are not related to phrenology.

Question 6

Which hormone enables contractions associated with birthing and milk flow during nursing?
A) insulin
B) cortisol
C) oxytocin
D) epinephrine

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin is the hormone that enables contractions associated with birthing and milk flow during nursing. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels, cortisol is a stress hormone, and epinephrine is involved in the "fight or flight" response.

Question 7

To fully appreciate the interaction of neural activity,mental processes,and the functioning of human communities,it is most necessary to recognize that people are
A) consciously aware.
B) morally accountable.
C) biopsychosocial systems.
D) products of multiple neural networks.

Accepted Answer

To fully understand the complex relationship between neural activity, mental processes, and human communities, it is crucial to recognize that humans are biopsychosocial systems. This means that humans are not solely products of their biology or environment, but instead a combination of both. This integrated perspective allows us to understand the interplay of physical, psychological, and social factors that ultimately shape individual and collective behavior. Recognizing this complexity is essential for understanding and addressing issues related to human behavior and well-being.

Question 8

Plasticity refers to the brain's capacity to change by forming new neural pathways based on
A) refractory periods.
B) localization of function.
C) experience.
D) reuptake.

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change in response to experiences, which can lead to the formation of new neural pathways. Refractory periods refer to the time it takes for a neuron to be able to fire again, and localization of function refers to the idea that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific functions. Reuptake refers to the reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron.

Question 9

A biological psychologist would be most interested in conducting research on the relationship between
A) neurotransmitters and depression.
B) skull shape and bone density.
C) self-esteem and popularity.
D) genetics and eye color.

Accepted Answer

A biological psychologist studies the link between the brain and behavior. Therefore, they would be most interested in investigating the relationship between neurotransmitters and depression, as neurotransmitters facilitate communication between neurons in the brain and play a crucial role in regulating mood.

Question 10

Dendrites are branching extensions of
A) neurotransmitters.
B) endorphins.
C) neurons.
D) glial cells.

Accepted Answer

Dendrites are extensions of neurons, which receive signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body. They are not neurotransmitters, endorphins, or glial cells.

Question 11

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus is called the
A) cell body.
B) dendrite.
C) axon.
D) myelin sheath.

Accepted Answer

The cell body of a neuron, also known as the soma, contains the nucleus and other organelles responsible for the basic metabolic functions of the cell. The dendrites receive signals from other neurons, the axon carries signals away from the cell body, and the myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates and protects the axon.

Question 12

The person most likely to suggest that the shape of a person's skull indicates the extent to which that individual is argumentative and aggressive would be a
A) neurologist.
B) behavior geneticist.
C) psychoanalyst.
D) phrenologist.

Accepted Answer

Phrenology is a pseudoscientific field that claims that the shape of the skull reflects the personality traits of an individual. Therefore, a phrenologist would be the most likely person to suggest that the shape of one's skull is indicative of their level of aggressiveness and argumentativeness.

Question 13

Who proposed that phrenology could reveal mental abilities and character traits?
A) Franz Gall
B) Plato
C) Aristotle
D) Daniel Kish

Accepted Answer

Franz Gall proposed that phrenology could reveal mental abilities and character traits.

Question 14

Phrenology highlighted the presumed functions of
A) specific brain regions.
B) synaptic gaps.
C) endorphins.
D) the myelin sheath.

Accepted Answer

Phrenology emphasized the significance of specific brain regions and how they corresponded to different personality traits and abilities.

Question 15

A focus on the links between brain activity and behavior is most characteristic of ________ psychologists.
A) psychodynamic
B) cognitive
C) behavioral
D) biological

Accepted Answer

The focus on the links between brain activity and behavior is most characteristic of biological psychologists, who study the relationship between the brain and behavior, including how the brain processes information, regulates emotions and behavior, and influences cognitive processes.

Question 16

Neurons are best described as
A) positively charged sodium and potassium ions.
B) chemical molecules that cross the synaptic gap.
C) nerve cells that function as the building blocks of the nervous system.
D) bundled axon cables that connect the CNS with muscles,glands,and sense organs.

Accepted Answer

Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information throughout the nervous system.

Answer: D 
 Bundled axon cables, also known as nerves, connect the central nervous system (CNS) with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

Question 17

Blind echolocation experts who can use the brain's visual centers to process auditory signals best illustrate the value of
A) plasticity.
B) reuptake.
C) endorphins.
D) refractory periods.

Accepted Answer

The ability of blind echolocation experts to use their visual centers to process auditory signals demonstrates the concept of neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt to changes in its environment or due to injury.

Question 18

Although James lost some manual dexterity following brain damage from a small stroke,the development of new neural pathways enabled him to regain most of his lost manual agility.This best illustrates the value of
A) action potentials.
B) phrenology.
C) plasticity.
D) depolarization.

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to adapt and develop new neural pathways, allowing individuals to recover lost abilities following brain damage or injury. This is demonstrated in the given scenario where James regains most of his lost manual agility despite experiencing brain damage from a small stroke.

Question 19

The endocrine system consists of
A) myelin sheaths.
B) neural networks.
C) interneurons.
D) glands.

Accepted Answer

The glands secrete hormones that regulate various functions in the body. Myelin sheaths, neural networks, and interneurons are all part of the nervous system, not the endocrine system.

Question 20

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates correctly located the mind in the
A) brain.
B) heart.
C) stomach.
D) thyroid gland.

Accepted Answer

Hippocrates correctly located the mind in the brain. He believed that the brain was the seat of intelligence, sensation, and thought, and that the mind and body were interconnected. This was a revolutionary idea at the time, as many ancient cultures believed that the heart was the center of thought and emotion.

Quiz 4: Neural and Hormonal Systems

The capacity of a brain area to develop new neural pathways as it adjusts to damage is known as

Dr.Wolski conducts research on the relationship between neurotransmitter deficiencies and mood states.Dr.Wolski's research focus is most characteristic of

While listening to operatic solos,musicians process the lyrics and the tunes in separate brain areas.This most clearly illustrates the functioning of different

Many years of intensive guitar practice have led to changes in Karyasa's motor cortex that enable her skilled finger movements.This best illustrates the value of

Although phrenology incorrectly suggested that bumps on the skull revealed a person's character traits,phrenology did succeed in focusing attention on

Which hormone enables contractions associated with birthing and milk flow during nursing?

To fully appreciate the interaction of neural activity,mental processes,and the functioning of human communities,it is most necessary to recognize that people are

Plasticity refers to the brain's capacity to change by forming new neural pathways based on

A biological psychologist would be most interested in conducting research on the relationship between

Dendrites are branching extensions of

The part of the neuron that contains the nucleus is called the

The person most likely to suggest that the shape of a person's skull indicates the extent to which that individual is argumentative and aggressive would be a

Who proposed that phrenology could reveal mental abilities and character traits?

Phrenology highlighted the presumed functions of

A focus on the links between brain activity and behavior is most characteristic of ________ psychologists.

Neurons are best described as

Blind echolocation experts who can use the brain's visual centers to process auditory signals best illustrate the value of

Although James lost some manual dexterity following brain damage from a small stroke,the development of new neural pathways enabled him to regain most of his lost manual agility.This best illustrates the value of

The endocrine system consists of

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates correctly located the mind in the