Question 1

From an evolutionary perspective, for mate selection in humans, it is most advantageous for ________.
A) both males and females to seek as many mates as possible
B) males to seek one long-term mate but for females to seek as many mates as possible
C) both males and females to seek one mate for life
D) females to seek one long-term mate but for males to seek as many mates as possible

Accepted Answer

From an evolutionary perspective, it is most advantageous for females to seek one long-term mate who can provide resources and protection for offspring, while males can increase their reproductive success by seeking as many mates as possible to spread their genes.

Question 2

An organism's entire unique genetic makeup is called its ________.
A) phenotype
B) genotype
C) genetic imprint
D) polygenic inheritance

Accepted Answer

The term "genotype" refers to an organism's entire unique genetic makeup, including both dominant and recessive genes. This is distinct from an organism's phenotype, which refers to its observable physical characteristics resulting from the interaction between its genotype and environmental factors. "Genetic imprint" and "polygenic inheritance" are specific concepts within genetics, but they do not refer to an organism's entire genetic makeup.

Question 3

Pairs of tiny threadlike bodies that carry genes are ________.
A) riboplasts
B) vesicles
C) proteins
D) chromosomes

Accepted Answer

Pairs of tiny threadlike bodies that carry genes are called chromosomes.

Question 4

Jessica's mother has blue eyes, with two recessive genes for blue eyes. Her father has brown eyes, with a dominant gene for brown eyes and a recessive gene for blue eyes. What are the chances that Jessica has blue eyes?
A) 0 percent
B) 75 percent
C) 50 percent
D) 25 percent

Accepted Answer

Jessica inherited one recessive gene for blue eyes from her mother and either a dominant gene for brown eyes or a recessive gene for blue eyes from her father. Therefore, there is a 50% chance that she has blue eyes.

Question 5

The adrenal glands are important in your body's reaction to ________.
A) digestion
B) pleasurable fantasy
C) sleep
D) stress

Accepted Answer

The adrenal glands produce cortisol, which is often referred to as the stress hormone. This hormone is released in response to stress and helps the body respond to stress by increasing blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and aiding in metabolism.

Question 6

In many important psychological characteristics, a number of genes make a small contribution to the trait in question. This process is known as ________.
A) polygenic inheritance
B) cumulative inheritance
C) genetic dominance
D) natural selection

Accepted Answer

Polygenic inheritance is when multiple genes contribute to a single trait. This is common for many psychological characteristics such as intelligence, personality, and mental illness. Each gene contributes a small amount to the overall trait, and the combination of all the genes determines the final expression of the trait.

Question 7

The hormone that causes the anterior pituitary gland to release hormones that prolong responses to stress, thus causing you to remain aroused for some time after extreme emotional excitement is ________.
A) epinephrine
B) acetylcholine
C) norepinephrine
D) dopamine

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine is the hormone that causes the anterior pituitary gland to release hormones that prolong responses to stress, thus causing you to remain aroused for some time after extreme emotional excitement. Epinephrine and dopamine are also involved in the body's stress response, but they do not directly affect the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland. Acetylcholine is not a hormone involved in the stress response.

Question 8

Studies of heritability in humans that assume that if genes influence a certain trait, close relatives should be more similar with that trait than distant relatives are called ________ studies.
A) strain
B) selection
C) family
D) twin

Accepted Answer

Family studies look at the similarity of a trait within a group of related individuals to estimate the contribution of genetics to that trait. By comparing the prevalence of a trait among siblings or other close relatives, family studies can provide insight into the heritability of a trait.

Question 9

The only known molecule that can replicate or reproduce itself is ________.
A) messenger RNA
B) monoamine oxidase
C) RNA
D) DNA

Accepted Answer

DNA is the only molecule known to be able to replicate or reproduce itself through the process of DNA replication. While RNA can also copy itself through a process called RNA replication, it cannot replicate other RNA molecules.

Question 10

The two hormones which keep the blood-sugar level properly balanced are ________.
A) growth hormone and ACTH
B) thyroxin and parathormone
C) insulin and glucagon
D) epinephrine and norepinephrine

Accepted Answer

Insulin and glucagon are the two hormones which keep the blood-sugar level properly balanced. Insulin lowers the blood glucose levels, while glucagon raises them. They work together to keep blood glucose levels within a healthy range. The other choices listed do not play a significant role in blood sugar regulation.

Question 11

Fraternal twins are ________ similar genetically than are other brothers and sisters.
A) much more
B) much less
C) no more
D) slightly more

Accepted Answer

Fraternal twins are no more genetically similar than other siblings; they share, on average, 50% of their genes, just like any other set of siblings.

Question 12

The subfield of psychology concerned with the roots of behaviors and mental processes is ________.
A) psychoneuroendocrinology
B) evolutionary psychology
C) behavior genetics
D) psychobiology

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology is the subfield of psychology that is concerned with understanding how the evolutionary process has shaped behavior and mental processes. This involves examining how traits and behaviors that were advantageous in our ancestors have been passed down through evolved genes and impacted our psychological makeup. The other options listed are related subfields but do not specifically focus on the evolutionary origins of behavior and mental processes.

Question 13

One process by which physicians can test a fetus, in the womb, for possible genetic abnormalities (defects) is called ________.
A) ultrasound
B) positron emission tomography scanning
C) amniocentesis
D) immunotherapy

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis is a prenatal test in which a small sample of amniotic fluid is removed from the sac surrounding the fetus. This fluid contains fetal cells and can be analyzed for genetic abnormalities. Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of the body, including the fetus. Positron emission tomography scanning is a type of imaging test that uses small amounts of radioactive materials to show how tissues and organs are functioning. Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight disease. None of these are directly related to testing for genetic abnormalities in a fetus.

Question 14

________ has long been linked to aggressive behavior.
A) Thyroxin
B) Progesterone
C) Testosterone
D) Melatonin

Accepted Answer

Testosterone has been linked to aggressive behavior in both animals and humans. Studies have shown that individuals with higher levels of testosterone tend to display more aggressive behaviors, such as physical fights and verbal insults.

Question 15

Masculine sex hormones are called ________.
A) androgens
B) endorphins
C) estrogens
D) testosterone

Accepted Answer

Masculine sex hormones are primarily androgens, such as testosterone. Endorphins are not sex hormones, rather they are neurotransmitters involved in pain relief and pleasure. Estrogens are typically associated with feminine characteristics, and while testosterone is a type of androgen, it is more specifically a masculine sex hormone.

Question 16

The sum total of all genes within a human cell is ________.
A) polygenetic inheritance
B) the human genome
C) the human phenotype
D) homogenetic inheritance

Accepted Answer

The sum total of all genes within a human cell is referred to as the human genome. This includes all of the DNA sequences that make up a person's genetic code.

Question 17

Oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas results in ________.
A) cirrhosis
B) diabetes
C) hypoglycemia
D) muscle spasms

Accepted Answer

Oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas leads to a decrease in blood glucose levels causing hypoglycemia.

Question 18

The mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution stating that organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to their offspring, is called ________.
A) mutational transmosis
B) natural selection
C) behavior genetics
D) random adaptation

Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory of evolution proposed that the process of natural selection was responsible for the development of species over time. This involves organisms who are best adapted to their environment being more likely to survive and pass on their advantageous traits to their offspring. The other answer choices are not related to Darwin's mechanism of evolution.

Question 19

Strain studies involve ________.
A) a single generation of animals
B) inbreeding of close relatives of animals over several generations
C) adopting children with similar traits
D) breeding animals which have a trait with other animals that share that trait

Accepted Answer

Strain studies involve inbreeding of close relatives of animals over several generations to create a genetically homogeneous population with shared characteristics.

Question 20

A procedure in which cells are collected from the membranes surrounding the fetus, and then tested for genetic abnormalities, is called ________.
A) intra-uterine probe testing
B) chorionic villus sampling
C) ultrasound
D) amniocentesis

Accepted Answer

The procedure described of collecting cells from the membranes surrounding the fetus and testing for genetic abnormalities is called chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Intra-uterine probe testing and ultrasound are methods of visualizing the fetus, while amniocentesis involves collecting amniotic fluid for genetic testing.

Quiz 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior

From an evolutionary perspective, for mate selection in humans, it is most advantageous for ________.

An organism's entire unique genetic makeup is called its ________.

Pairs of tiny threadlike bodies that carry genes are ________.

Jessica's mother has blue eyes, with two recessive genes for blue eyes. Her father has brown eyes, with a dominant gene for brown eyes and a recessive gene for blue eyes. What are the chances that Jessica has blue eyes?

The adrenal glands are important in your body's reaction to ________.

In many important psychological characteristics, a number of genes make a small contribution to the trait in question. This process is known as ________.

The hormone that causes the anterior pituitary gland to release hormones that prolong responses to stress, thus causing you to remain aroused for some time after extreme emotional excitement is ________.

Studies of heritability in humans that assume that if genes influence a certain trait, close relatives should be more similar with that trait than distant relatives are called ________ studies.

The only known molecule that can replicate or reproduce itself is ________.

The two hormones which keep the blood-sugar level properly balanced are ________.

Fraternal twins are ________ similar genetically than are other brothers and sisters.

The subfield of psychology concerned with the roots of behaviors and mental processes is ________.

One process by which physicians can test a fetus, in the womb, for possible genetic abnormalities (defects) is called ________.

________ has long been linked to aggressive behavior.

Masculine sex hormones are called ________.

The sum total of all genes within a human cell is ________.

Oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas results in ________.

The mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution stating that organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to their offspring, is called ________.

Strain studies involve ________.

A procedure in which cells are collected from the membranes surrounding the fetus, and then tested for genetic abnormalities, is called ________.